The Beast

Chapter 30 - Mark of a Beast

There was an obvious tension between us as Arias carried me tightly in his flexed arms. I couldn't decipher the stone look on his face, and if the awkwardness was from his conversation with my mother or the sexual transgression in the woods.

Marcus opened the heavy front door of Maia's house for us to help him maneuver me through the archway.

It was strangely quiet. Maia must have been gone, otherwise the buzz of her television or whirr of the ceiling fan in the living room would have greeted us as soon as we stepped inside.

"I'll give you guys some space." Marcus nodded between both me and Arias, his expression nudging me to talk to him as he backed out onto the front porch, gradually pulling the door shut behind him.

My stomach fluttered as he carefully set my feet onto the ground so I could support my own weight again. I brushed my hair over my shoulder and tucked my arms around me.

"Thank you." I smiled awkwardly, suddenly not sure how to act around him.

Not long ago, I wanted to ravish him, and I didn't care who was watching. Now, I couldn't stop myself from doubting my actions. What if that's not actually what he wanted? He was probably regretting what we did, especially since I was supposed to be out looking for him and offering my comfort.

"You can shower first. I'll wait out here." His voice was curt and void of emotions. The little desperate hope I hung onto that thought maybe he would pick things up or at least seek something from me withered away. He was practically begging me to get away from him and give him time alone.

"Oh, okay." If space was what he needed, then I was willing to give it to him.

He was glaring off in the distance, his complete emotional switch confusing me. Nevertheless, I walked down the small hallway and into the open bathroom, ignoring my wolf that whimpered and whined to just be with him, whether he wanted it or not.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the hanging mirror as I pressed the door closed with a flat palm, trying to diminish any excess noise.

My hair was knotted and dangling down the middle of my back, making my olive skin look pale and faded. My eyes seemed hollow over the dark circles, and my cheeks were flushed from the cold water I had almost succumbed to.

No wonder Arias didn't want me. I looked practically dead. My lips were just now getting some of their color back, the blue haze still peaking through the faint pink that fought to take over.

I traced them with my finger, frowning as memories of Arias' on mine, claiming me like it was all he ever wanted. Was I crazy to think everything was going to be okay now?

His entire life practically blew up in his face, and here I was pretending that everything was normal.

I turned the hot water knob in the shower so it rained down into the porcelain tub. It circled the drain, and it seemed almost like a metaphor for what my life has become.

I was already bare, so I only had to wait for the water to heat up until it steamed before I could step in.

Goosebumps littered my skin as the door behind me crept open, inviting in the cooler air from the rest of the house. I covered my chest the best I could with my arms and spun to stop the intruder, but my voice caught in my throat.

Arias gazed down at me with an intense longing, his hair mostly dried and swept off to the side of his head to refrain it from falling in his eyes.

I was completely frozen-what was he doing in here? Minutes ago, he seemed like he didn't want to be around me at all.