The Monster Within - Book 1

Chapter 34

'Paul?' I question, wondering if I'm seeing things.

What was he doing here? How did he know I was back? Why couldn't I even have five minutes peace so I can eat?

'Hi, Cas.' He smiles, as if he never left me for someone else.

'What are you... What are you doing here?' I ask confused, keeping my hand on the door to stop him walking into my apartment.

'I was walking by and I saw a light, I was hoping you'd be back. I wanted to see you.'

'You just happened to walk by my apartment and see my light on?'

'Yeah...'

'Right... Here for your stuff then?' I ask sarcastically.

'Actually, I wanted to talk to you... about us.' He gestures between himself and me.

I let out a huff, before reluctantly letting him in. Paul swans in, like he never left, strutting straight over to the sofa, taking a slice of my pizza.

'Help yourself.' I mutter to myself as I close the door, following him into the living room.

'So, how long have you been back?'

'Not long, a few hours. I got your note.' I tell him, pointing to the piece of paper crunched up on my kitchen counter.

'Oh.' He says, taking another slice of my dinner. 'You look good.' His eyes move up and down my body, making me cringe internally.

'What do you want Paul?' I ask, wanting to get straight to the point so he can leave.

'Look Cas, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I made a mistake.'

I scoff.

'You fucked someone else whilst we were together and then you left me for her. That's not a mistake. It's a choice. One we both have to live with.'

'I know what I did. But I wasn't thinking. I got caught up in the moment. She... she.... It was an accident. I never meant to hurt you.' He tells me, moving closer to me on the sofa.

'Are you joking? You left. You didn't even say goodbye. I was crushed.' I almost scream at him.

'I know I handled things badly...'

'Understatement of the century.' I retort.

'I still love you Cas. Please believe me. I want you back.'

I move from the sofa, standing in utter shock, just staring at him like he'd grown another head. He wanted me back? After how he treated me! Then suddenly out of no where I just start laughing. To begin with, Paul joins in, like he's in on the joke. But the more hysterical the laugh gets the more his smile seemed to drop. 

'It's too late, Paul.' I chuckle, as if this was the funniest thing i'd heard in a long time. 

To be honest it really was.

'Why? Is there someone else?'

The question feels as if he'd just stabbed a knife into my gut. He reminded me of Apollo. Someone who I'd managed not to think about for at least ten minutes.

'No.' I lie.

Although is it a lie? Apollo made his choice and left for that other pack and I'm not going to put myself through that. Not again, after Paul. I'm done with letting men walking all over me.

'Then there's no reason for us not to give it another try? Please, Cas. I've missed you so much.' He says standing as he takes a couple of steps toward me, cupping my cheek in his hand.

I push his hand away, not wanting him to touch me. Any feelings I had for Paul have gone. How could there be any room in my heart for him when my very being is consumed with thoughts of another man?

'I've been such a fool. Please, Cassie.' He says, moving close to me again.

He runs his hand through my hair, standing unbearably close to me.

'You're so beautiful, you're practically glowing. You want this. Say you'll give me another chance.' He pleads.

I take a step back, away from him.

'Paul, I'm pregnant.'

'Oh wow.' He starts. 'It's a... It's a bit of a shock. But I mean... it's kind of perfect. Now we can be a family.' He says with hope.

'No, Paul, we can't. It's not yours.'

'What do you mean? You've only been gone a few months.... What the fuck Cassandra.' He raises his voice, looking shattered. 'You just told me there wasn't anyone else? Why are you lying to me?'

'It's none of your business, Paul.'

'Of course it is. I love you Cassandra. But apparently you've just been fucking around? Do you even know who the father is?'

'Don't you fucking dare.' I shout. 'We broke up. You left me. I was free to do what I wanted.'

'Free to do who, you mean.'

'Just get the fuck out, Paul.' I say feeling overwhelmed. 'This has nothing to do with you. I want nothing to do with you. Just go back to your new girlfriend.

'I can't. She left me.'

'Wow... So that's the real reason you're here then? You have nowhere else to go? Well, you're not staying here with me.'

'This is my place too Cas.'

'No. It's really not. I own this flat. I just let you live here.'

'Please, Cas.' He begs again.

We both just stand there looking at each other, neither of us budging, until there's a loud, thundering knock at the door.

'Who's that?' Paul asks.

I shrug my shoulders. But I can sense who it is before I've even opened the door. I walk up to it and freeze with my grasp firmly on the handle.

'Open the door Cassandra.' Apollo voice booms from the other side of the door, making me jump.

'Who the fuck is that?' Paul demands.

I ignore him as I feel my body being pulled to the man on the other side of the door.

'Cassandra, let me in.' Apollo shouts.

'Cas?' Paul voices.

'Please Paul, shut up.' I say behind me, not even turning to look at him.

'I can hear you Cassandra, open the fucking door.'

My body doesn't let me think as it automatically does what Apollo commands, opening the door. He looks angry as he locks eyes with me, but then when he looks over my shoulder and see's Paul standing behind me his feature turn even more dark.

'Who that fuck is that?' They both echo at the same time.