Luna Audrey

Chapter 14 - Try

When I was able to open my eyes again, I noticed my surroundings were quite bright. I didn't understand why, as it'd been an average, cloudy day in Dark Root, and the whipping had taken place outdoors. After several minutes of forcing my eyes to open and adjust to the lighting, I realized it was bright not only because of the overhead ceiling light, but also the stark white walls that surrounded me.

I had no idea where I was, causing panic to slowly take over. Glancing down at my arm, I realized there was an IV placed, which also confused me, but helped me realize I was in the infirmary wing.

"You're awake," a deep voice came from my left, startling me all over again.

I turned to face the source and saw Dean standing from a small couch and approaching me. He was still dressed in his crisp, business clothes and appeared completely normal other than a slight flicker of worry in his eyes.

When my eyes met his blue and hazel ones, I was suddenly hit with my recent memories of what had happened. Those poor girls – I must have fainted. It was all too much.

Dean slowly closed the distance between us and sat on the edge of my hospital bed. He stared at me for a moment with an unreadable expression before reaching out in what I assumed was an attempt to stroke my cheek or tuck my hair behind my ear.

However, his action wasn't completed. As soon as I saw his hand coming for me, my mind flickered back to images of Dean striking Jessica with the whip, followed by memories of my father. I quickly jerked away from him and scooted to the other side of the bed, staring at him with wide eyes.

Dean's eyes instantly darkened.

"I thought we were passed this," he growled lowly.

I flinched at his tone. I'd certainly thought we were passed all of this too, but seeing him being so brutal over petty crimes...it affected me in ways I couldn't explain. It brought back haunting memories of my life with my father, it scared me, and it made me fear the future.

"Speak, Audrey," Dean commanded. I could tell he was trying to control his tone this time, as my reaction to his growl had been unfavorable.

I started to open my mouth, but I couldn't find the right words. I couldn't think of the best way to say to him what I truly wanted to say. Everything seemed so confusing now. Would we ever be able to be normal mates?

Before I could speak, tears began to stream out of my eyes and down my cheeks. I felt utterly stupid, sitting there with my mouth wide open and tears soaking my hair and hospital gown. Dean then reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his chest before I had the chance to object. His touch brought comforting warmth and sparks from our mate bond, which calmed me, but also made me cry harder.

"I don't understand. Please make me understand. I want to understand!" He said into my hair as he pressed his lips to the top of my head and continued to hold me tightly. His voice was serious and gruff as usual, but cracked a bit, indicating to me that my crying was upsetting him.

"How could you do that!" I finally shrieked, all of my emotions slipping out at once as the sobs continued to wrack my body.

I felt Dean's body tense, "Is this about the whipping?"

His question baffled me. Was he seriously that blind?

"Of course, it's about the whipping! How do you not see anything wrong with it? Especially in my eyes! You know the kind of life I had before I met you!" I yelled as my body shook and tears continued to pour.

Once my mouth shut, I froze. Had that outburst truly come from me? I don't think I'd ever been so aggressive in my entire life. Dean had asked to understand, and that was the only way I could make him. My mind was a jumbled mess. My emotions were all over the place. My wolf was in my head, begging me to calm down, but I couldn't.