Mated but not Tamed

Chapter 21 - Reflex

Magnolia

The cold air hits my skin like razer blades. The dark shed creaking and crumbling in the wind. I can barely see my fingers as I dangle my hand in front of my face.

I might have a higher body temperature then most, but I've always hated the cold. It seeps into your bones, freezes your blood, and steals your light.

I hold my knees to my chest. Its my second night in the shed. The second time he threw me in here, calling me an abomination.

The thousandth time I've cried my self to sleep, naked and afraid, using all my strength to hold back the itch under my skin. The one telling me I need to change. To let the monster out.

Only she's not a monster. She me. She's apart of me. But she makes me different. And I don't know... how to feel.

The breaking of my bones is my first sign of failure. The hold I try to keep over myself always breaks in the end. I shatter and my bones go with it. The wolf takes over.

I scream, and scream, and scream. Its all I can do.

My eyes shoot open, and my lungs constrict as the ball in my throat expands until hot tears threaten to spill from my eyes.

Nightmare. Just a nightmare.

Breath in, and out.

'Mag's?' Lana yawns, still half asleep.

'Sleep Lana, I'm okay.' I send a reassuring wave her way. Luling her back to sleep. I'm surprised how convincing I am when she simply nods and falls back to sleep.

The nightmare still fresh in my mind, its claws still deep in my soul. I am not as easily convinced by my self. I'm grounded back to reality when strong arms tighten around my waist. Shifting me up just a little, warm lips pressed to my temple.

I look up, resting my chin on a broad chest, expecting to see Seth looking down at me like he usually does in the mornings. He's an early riser but insists on watching me sleep.

I'm surprised when I see his eyes are closed, his breathing still even as he sleeps. Huh.

I slip from his hold, not easily, and make my way to the bathroom. I do my business and make my way back out. Its only then that I see the time.

The neon red lights flash as the time changes to 2:46am.

Oof that's early. Even for me. No wonder all the boys are still knocked out. I climb onto the end of the bed, just about to maneuver back into my designated spot on Seths chest, when both Luther and Daniel turn on their sides and sling their arms over Seth's middle.

It takes me point 4 seconds to scramble off the bed with grace and snatch up the phone the boys got me. I take their photo from a couple of angles, being super carful not to wake them.

Daniel showed me how to change my background when I first got the phone. Since then, its changed almost everyday. I just couldn't decide on a background.

I set the photo as both my lock and home screen, proud of the moment I've captured. This one sticking. Now I just need to ensure non of them ever see this. I think I know them well enough to know it would not go down well if they found out I caught them cuddling.

It only takes a few moments for the small little moment to disappear as the memories slowly seep back into my blood stream.

The vicious voice of my stepfather whispering in my ear, as if he's right behind me.