The Beast Inside. New Version ✔

Chapter 16.

A week had passed and Natalie was finally able to move around without being in excruciating pain. Having her whole body black and blue was very hard to deal with. The bruises were now turning a yellow color and she looked awful. She didn't look close to herself. She looked like she belonged in a hospital with some unknown disease, if she was completely honest.

Austin had been very helpful in a grudgingly way. He would offer to help, then complain the whole time. It made her smile. She didn't take it offensively because she knew that was just the way he was. He would make her food whenever she was hungry and then bring it to her room. When the pain became too much, he would help her walk to and from the bathroom.

It was embarrassing more when she needed help bathing. It was nice that she didn't have to ask, he just knew she would have problems. So, she would fill the bathtub full of bubbles and then get in before he came. She had been red as a tomato the first night but had slowly gotten used to it. She loved that he was gentle about it as well. Definitely when he washed her hair.

She was still having nightly nightmares. They had been taking a toll on her emotionally. But every time they would start to go from bad to worse, they seemed to disappear.

He hadn't kissed her again since that first night. If anything, besides helping her, he seemed more distance and closed off. The kiss had been soft and made her toes curl; it had left her wanting more. He had driven her crazy, then growled as he pulled away, and stomped out of the room. She couldn't even bring herself to feel upset that he left abruptly. She had been on cloud nine.

Austin had told her that the call to 911 had went through and that people were currently looking for her. She hated that her mother was worried sick about her and had tried to think of any possible way that she could get a hold of her. The only thing she could think of was having Austin fly her there in the middle of the night and slipping her a note. She would put her fear of flying to the back of her mind to let her mother know she was alright. Now, all she had to do was convince Austin.

"Austin." She lightly called, knowing that he would hear her.

"What?" The question was asked from outside her door, something he had started doing ever since the kiss.

"Can you come here for a moment?"

She smiled as he brooded and opened the door. "What?" He asked again, staying a ways from her bed; keeping distance.

"I have a big favor to ask of you." Her smile grew as his eyes turned to a glare.

"What do you want?"

"Okay, but just listen to everything I have to say before you so no, please?" She rushed out because he had started backing away towards the door, yet again putting more space between them.

"No." He answered, then turned away.

She rushed to get out of bed. "Wait!" She stood up and tried to rush over to him, but squeaked in pain. She held her ribs as she leaned on the bed post. "Please. Its important." He froze in his spot and she could see how tense he was. He didn't turn around, just stood there.

"What do you want?" He sighed before he turned around to face her. For the first time, he didn't look mad or even angry. He just looked tired. She held herself back from stepping to him, knowing he would hate if she did. She didn't want to cause him more trouble than she already had.

"I need you to fly me to my moms. Just let me finish!" She snapped as he started to shake his head no. Her ribs were killing her and she could feel the tears that were wanting to make an appearance. She just wanting him to listen. "I want you to fly me to my moms. At night. She doesn't know what happed to me. She could probably think I'm dead, for all we know." She flinched when she realized what she said, but shook her head, forcing the memories away. "It's been a week. I just want to leave her a note, something, anything, so she knows that I'm alright."

He stared at her for what felt like forever before he started stalking towards her. She squeaked again as he wrapped his arms behind her back and under her knees, pulling her into his chest.

"You should be fucking resting. You hurt yourself again. You need to be more damn careful." He spoke as he laid her down in the bed and pulled the covers over her. He went to turn away from her and walk out the door, leaving her without an answer. She quickly wrapped her hand around his arm.

"Austin." He didn't look at her, he never seemed to want to look at her. She felt a tear slip down her cheek. "Please." She begged one more time.

He looked at her quickly before looking away again. She breathed a sigh of relief when he nodded his head. She watched as he looked down at the hand that was holding him. He reached up, gently unwrapping her fingers from him, and placing her hand back on the bed.

"Go to sleep, Natalie."

She stared at his form as it disappeared out of the room. She wished she knew what he was thinking; wished she knew what he wanted. She closed her eyes and prayed that she wouldn't have a nightmare.

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He stared at her as she slept. It was the only time he allowed himself to really look at her. He couldn't see her eyes. Those eyes of hers could make him do anything for her. They made all sense run from his damn brain. He would give her the world if only she asked when he stared into the endless green.

He held himself back from touching her as long as he could. He hated that every day he had to fucking fight harder and harder not to run his fingers along her soft skin. He waited for the nightmare to come; it was like clockwork. As soon as she showed any sign of distress, he would crawl into bed with her. Then he would wrap his arms tight around her and sate his beast. That night when she calmed though, he didn't stay. He didn't let himself get pulled in by her. Instead, he made sure she was deep in sleep and then slipped out of bed. He walked outside and then went flying. In his jacket was the picture of her, the one that he couldn't help but take. He first flew to her house. Tape was still covering the premises but that didn't stop him. The back door was unlocked and he let himself in. The house was trashed and he growled. The man had ruined her home; her safe haven. He found what he was looking for and studied her hand writing. Practicing a few times, he was able to duplicate it. Taking the picture out of its frame, he turned it over. He wrote a quick note, stating that she was alive and that she would come home when she was safe. Not to worry about her and that she loved and missed her mom. Checking over his writing, he decided it was good enough. He then flew to her mothers house. He knew Natalie would be mad for not getting to go herself, but he didn't care. She didn't like to fly and even if she did, she wasn't in the fucking shape to do so. He was silent as he slipped into an open window and placed the picture on the kitchen table, then he left.

When he arrived back at the house, Natalie was still asleep. Knowing it was a bad idea, and hating himself all the more for it, he crawled back in bed with her. When she turned towards him, he couldn't help the small smile that played on his lips. Staring at her, he knew that if anything could be his saving grace, it would be her. He just didn't think he was willing to let her be. He felt his beast purr and scowled. She had him completely tamed, Austin was the problem. He knew that. He was the only think holding everything back. Natalie had given herself to him, had even told him that she loved him. And damn it, if he didn't feel the same way! But he did, and that was the problem. He didn't know what love was; had never felt it before. He fucking hated it. He couldn't get her out of his damn head. He was scared that if he let himself have her, it would all get taken away. Then he would have to learn how to live without her, which was something he knew he couldn't fucking do. He had her and didn't ever want to let her go. She was his! Now, if only he could find a way for him to be hers as well.

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AN: Hey beasties!!! (Get it. Besties... But beasties. Haha.) ANNYYYYWAYS. First off, i am so sorry that i missed the update this last monday. I havent had a chance to update because i am in one of the areas Harvey hit. Things have been crazy. So again, i apologize! As far as i know, everything will be back on track on Monday. But no promises! I am trying though.  So enough about me...

What do yall think? This part is new. Natalie's mother was never mentioned in the first book! Also. While i was redoing the forst draft. I realized a lot of it w as nt realistic (not like a beast as Austin is. Lol) BUT i meant the feelings. His blow up on Natalie after she died seemed more realistic than the first draft. Also, i feel as if ive better conveyed how Austin feels through this journey. Buuut. Thats just my opinion. I would love yalls!!? So.. Do you like this one better more? Do you feel as if its a little more realistic with feelings and such?  Let me know my loves!!!!

-D