The Pet🐾 (Completed)

Chapter 16

*please let me know if you want me to put music above, I know I like it when writing and reading, how about you?* 🎧🎵🎶

Ashley

I woke up to see the cell door broken off, held in the hands of the man from my dreams. My heart jumped.
"W-what... you w-were—" I started.

I looked over to see Jasper, handing his jacket to the other man. He nodded and walked off. The dream man turned back to me, our eyes locking.
"I saw you before... in my dream," I whispered.

He smiled and stepped into the cell. I leaned back instinctively, and I could see hurt flash across his face—but he didn't stop. He handed me the jacket, looking away, his cheeks flushing red. I realized I was still in my bra and panties. I took the jacket and looked up at him.
"Thanks," I said softly.

I tried to stand, leaning on the wall, every muscle in my chest and legs screaming in pain. I winced as I finally got my feet under me—but then two strong arms lifted me completely. He helped me put on the jacket. When I looked up, it was the dream man. He looked worried.
"We need to go," he said. "You'll be safe once we get out of here," he added, lifting me in a bridal style.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, leaning into him. I felt safe—just like in the dream.
"What's your name?" I asked softly.

He looked down at me. "Roman," he said. "And yours?"

"Ashley," I breathed out.

Roman... his name was Roman. I couldn't stop saying it in my head. As we reached the top of the stairs, he looked down at me.
"Ashley, close your eyes," he said. "Can you do that for me?"

"Why?" I asked, but I loved the sound of my name on his lips.

He looked away for a moment, then back at me. "There are things I'm not ready to show you yet... things even I fear might come out. I don't want you to be scared as I was for so many years."

I nodded and closed my eyes. I felt him open a door, and we began walking forward. He paused occasionally, hopping over something with a slight splash. Was the basement flooded? He weaved carefully, and each step made me want to peek—but I pressed my head into his chest to resist. After one final hop, we climbed more stairs.

"Can I look now?" I asked.

"Not yet. I'll tell you when," he said, holding me tighter.

"Okay," I whispered.

Finally, he stopped in another room. "You can look now," he said.

I opened my eyes. His face was dimly lit by torches, his smile warming my heart. I felt completely safe in his arms, like nothing could touch us if we stayed like this forever. But time moved on. Roman looked up, and I saw a hole in the floor. Jasper stood at the top with two other men.
"You ready to leave?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I am," I said with a smile.

Roman held me steady so Jasper could help me down. Before I was fully out, I looked back and saw two of the men dead, blood everywhere. My stomach lurched, and I felt nauseous. I looked back to Jasper and took his hand. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me away from the hole. The jacket slid down to my thighs as I stood.

I looked around. The house was abandoned—trees and vines taking over. Burn marks scarred the walls, and half the back had collapsed. I looked at Roman as he climbed up. Once he saw me in Jasper's arms, he growled low, "Mine," and moved toward us.

I looked at Roman... then back at Jasper. They were too similar—they had to be related.
"Twins?" I asked.

Jasper laughed, but Roman shook his head. "No, I'm older. We're just brothers."

One of the other men approached, holding a blanket and car keys.
"Hey, Alph—uhh, I mean sir. I found the keys to the car and a blanket for her," he said.

They were all incredibly buff, like Jasper. And then it hit me:
"You're... werewolves?!" I said, loudly, covering my mouth with my hands.

Jasper laughed, while everyone else stared at me. Roman looked shocked.
"Yes... we are. How did you know? Did the men who took you tell you?" he asked.

Jasper stopped laughing and coughed loudly, shaking his head. I looked back at Roman.
"We can talk about it later. I just want to get out of here," I said.

He nodded, wrapping the blanket around me and taking the keys. He led me to the front of the house where the SUV sat. Pressing the button on the keys, he unlocked the car and gently set me in the passenger seat. The other men piled in the back. Roman jogged to the driver's side, climbed in, and started the car. We drove out of the abandoned house, heading deeper into the woods.