Can't Be Tamed

Chapter Three: Nobody's Home

Nicole's POV

"But we should do something, her mother is SPECIALLY asking for her,” a girl's voice said. My head was really heavy and the pain was really bad.

"She's not woken up yet, what could we do about it?” This voice was strangely familiar. My wolf immediately responded to it. I slowly opened my eyes to see the crazy rogue and a blonde girl sitting next to him.

"But Chris she's-"

"Shh, she's waking up." He looked at me with, what I thought was, pure amazement that turned into something like affection? Never had I ever been so happy to wake up to someone, but then the truth sank in. He caressed my cheek and said,"Hey doll. How're you feeling?" I sat up suddenly, wincing at my sore back and stiff limbs and asked,” Where am I? And who do you think you are kidnapping me like that? Has the war ended?" The crazy rogue and his sister, judging from what she looked like, exchanged worried glance. Almost like they knew something I didn't.

"You need to go little slow baby, Claire, my sister's gonna cook you something-"

"I have nothing to do with you, just tell me if the war has ended or not. Don't act like you're my mate or something," I retorted. His eyes flickered with hurt for a moment and my wolf growled at me for hurting him but I ignored it.

"Okay. The war has ended but your town is wrecked and...." His eyes turned sad and I noticed that they were deep blue rather than icy blue.

"And what?"

"Sweetheart your father's dead. I’m really sorry." He came over and tried to hug me but I hastily pushed him away.

"This is some cheap trick isn't it? I know you rogues well enough, don't try to act smart!" I asserted.

"Nicole, I just wish it was. Your mother, she's got only an hour and so and she's continuously asking for you."

"Then take me to her, dammit."

"Okay." He got up and held a hand for me, but I ignored it and made my way. He soon fell in step with me and his sister trailed behind us. The house was big, but really messy. Even in the given circumstances I couldn't help but wonder who all lived in here.

"Just me and my sis. Our parents and my elder sister died a few years back." His eyes grew sad and my wolf began to feel uneasy too.

"I'm sorry. Wait! How d'you kn-"

"We're mates baby," he said sliding into the driver seat of the car. And on instinct I sat on the passenger side. Claire got in the back.

"In your dreams."

"Maybe it is." He smiled." So what grade are you in?"

"I'm in eleventh grade at Westream High."

"And what's the plan after school?"

"Go to some Ivy league college like Harvard or Yale. MIT can also work." The conversation with him made me forget about the situation somehow.

"You have to be pretty smart for that."

"Are you trying to say that I'm not?"

"No, no." He rose in hands in a no offence-gesture. "I think you are pretty smart. What was your GPA last year?"

"Five. In all my AP courses. Is it smart enough?" His eyes widened.

"Yes it is."

"Chris stop overreacting. Tell her you're a graduate of Harvard," Claire said the first word so far.

"No way! I mean even if you were shouldn't you have been working in some metropolis than here in this neighborhood."

He glanced at Claire from the mirror.” I had my reasons."

Suddenly, my gaze shifted to the surroundings. Immediately all my neutrality about Chris died.

The town was literally wrecked, just like Chris had said. The fire wasn't still out at some places. The streets looked so deserted as if I were living a zombie movie. This was all the aftermath of the war. I glanced at Chris, he had guilt written all over his face.

"What's the death toll?" I asked him.

"Unknown."

We stopped in front of my house; I got down quick and ran inside. The house was eerily quiet.There were some low murmurs coming from my parents' room, I followed them and found the most fearful scene of all.

My Mom was lying on the bed, surrounded by Nate and Sasha, a doctor and Uncle Scott and Aunt Millie. She was on a ventilator. She looked so weak and sad. When she saw me the ghost of a smile appeared on her face. She took down her oxygen mask and said, "Nicole?"

"Mom," I breathed out as I sat down by her side and clasped on her hand."Mom, is it true? Is Dad really....?" Tears formed at the corner of my eyes.

"Yes, sweetheart." I burst into tears."Sweetheart, don't feel sad, it was fate and repayment. Only god knows how I have managed this far, but it was just to see you before I die." Mom was the "good catholic girl" in our family. And sometimes it got rubbed on me too.

"No, Mom don't say that." I looked at the doctor through my tears. "Isn't there any other way?" He shook his head sadly. This made me cry again. Chris put a hand on my shoulder but I shook it away.

"Is this your mate?" Mom asked, but didn't wait for an answer. "Come here, kid." Nate shifted to give Chris some space. He sat down holding onto my Mom's other hand. I was shocked, my Mom was talking nicely to this murderer. He was the reason why we were in this situation in the first place.

"What is your name?" Mom asked.

"Christian Evans, ma'am. Ma'am I'm really sorry-"

"No, you shouldn't be, you had to." What was Mom saying? "Welcome to the family, son."

"Mom what-" I began to say but Mom cut in.

"Nicole, I don't have much time." She was taking in deep, laboured breaths. She looked at Nate and me. "Nate, Nicole, always keep the family together. I wish I'd atleast seen my grandkids." She paused again and focused on only me. "Nicole, always listen to our mate. He had every right." She glanced at the ceiling. "That's all I had to say." And then as if it was her control over her life and death, her blood pressure started falling.

"No, no, no. Mom!" I pulled up her oxygen mask, but in vain. I looked at the doctor and yelled,"Do something!"

"Nicole....."

"NO! Mom! Stay with me!" Helpless tears began to fall as I rubbed my Mom's palms.

"Sweetheart-" Chris said as he tugged at my arm.

"Don't you even touch me! Mom! Come on, please stay with me, for me," I begged.

"Christian," the doctor gestured Chris to get me away. He nodded and this time pulled me by the waist, a bit forcefully. "Mom, please Mom, come back to life." I was hysterical by that time, I kicked and screamed in Chris's strong grip for a couple of minutes.

And then I finally gave up, sinking on my knees. Nate and Sasha, began to leave, they both had tears in their eyes. I caught on Nate's hand."Nate....." He snatched his hand away. I watched him with hurt and confusion.

"Nate, why?"

"I don't want to deal with you now, okay! Go home with your pathetic, murderer, mate!" He yelled.

"But Nate, you're my brother."

"No, not from now. All because of him." He eyed Chris disgustedly. He left me sitting there, on the floor, crying. Uncle Scott and Aunt Millie left too. Chris sat beside me, "Baby, I'm so sorry."

"No. No!" I  pushed him away and got up. He stood up too."This is all because of you. I have no family because of you! I hate you, Chris Evans, I hate you. I don't want to see you ever again! I don't want to be your mate!" I saw a tear trickle down his cheeks and my wolf whimpered, but I didn't care. I locked myself into my room upstairs and let the loneliness and hurt pour in.