Willow's Choice

Twenty Four

I gasped in fear at the feeling of someone's hands on me, looking up to see Giselle and Raven above me.

"You're okay now. It's okay." Giselle hushed.

I stared at her quietly, trying to steady my breathing as I felt how sore my body was. I didn't fail to miss the ache between my legs as flashes of what happened raced through my brain.

"Ava-

"They're both fine. You need to rest Willow." Raven said.

"Please. Please." I whispered.

She sighed as she nodded and opened the door, helping me off the bed slowly as she helped me make my way downstairs.

Valor came bursting through the patio doors, his eyes frantic and wide as if he hadn't fed in a while.

He froze when he saw me, he stared at me, his eyes dark and sullen with sadness.

I didn't know what I looked like but I knew it wasn't good because I could see my mother crying, Giselle, Raven, and everyone looked so melancholy, but when Valor began crying I wasn't sure what to do as tears of my own came down.

"Willow."

I looked up at my mother who called my name, her face red and puffy.

"We need you to tell us what happened, so we can figure out how to fix it." My mom said.

I knew I had to tell them, that's the only way I could move past this, but I didn't know how, What words to say, how do I tell my family how disgusting I feel? How much he hurt me...

I took in a breath, breathing out slowly as I felt my voice shake.

"He- Stefan. He was in the bathroom. I couldn't find Ava and Valor, I thought-

I cleared my throat as I closed my eyes.

"He took me to his truck. The cuffs had wolfsbane on them but I shifted anyway. I just remember how much it hurt. It burned so much. He pulled over and he started hitting me and I think I started to black out and he started to drink from me." I whispered.

I could feel my throat wanting to close, as if his hand was around my neck again, but I would get through this, no matter how hard it was. I was not going to let this man have power over me anymore.

"And he raped me...and when he was done he left me there and that's the last thing I remember." I said.

It was silent and I opened my eyes and I could see everyone watching me and I could feel myself getting nervous, I didn't know what to say and neither did anyone else.

"Please leave us." Valor said, breaking the silence.

Valor didn't move as tears slid down his face and his eyes stayed locked with mineral as everyone around us began to move slowly. I felt my heart clench as Valor broke in front of me.

"I should have been there. I should-

"This is not your fault. Do not blame yourself. Please." I whispered as he lifted me, sitting me with him on the couch.

He held me so close, as if he were afraid I'd disappear.

"You're my mate Willow. I've been in love with you from the moment I saw you and I've protected you ever since and now I can't an-

"Then teach me. I can fight wolves any day with my eyes closed because that's what I was raised as and that's all I know, but I don't know vampires. You know both and I am both and need to learn how to operate as a blend. I need you to help me because in reality we aren't going to be by each other's sides every minute of every single day and I know you hate being violent but with how life is going we're going to have to protect our child and ourselves ." I said.

"Oh, I have no issues with violence now. That man is scum and I am going to kill him so no one ever has to see him again. I was far too patient with him before. I should have killed him when I had the opportunity, but I let him go and gave him mercy, but now... he's hurt the woman I love and I will hunt him down like the animal he is." Valor hissed.

He was right. Who knows how many other people Stefan as hurt? It is not okay.

"I want to do it." I said quietly.

"What?" Valor whispered.

"Find him. Hold him responsible." I said.

"And when you find him, what are you planning to do? Because I know I want the man dead." Valor said, and I could see his fangs out as his anger came to fruition.

I pondered on the question, not knowing what I actually wanted. If I stooped to his level and killed him I'd be no better than him, but I also didn't think he deserved to live.

"I don't know." I answered honestly.

"Well, I'm telling you now. If your mind is not made up by the time we find him, I will rip his heart out where he stands." Valor said.