Seethe: First Draft

Seethe: Chapter 15

Chapter 15

I've avoided leaving my little cottage for a little over a week. It's going far better than I would've expected it to.

Cam stops by every morning and night with food. He always brings Holly and Amy each time, though Amy stands outside with Holly the entire time he's there. The one time I'd tried to greet her, Amy had given me a critical once over before sneering and turning up her nose.

I hadn't seen much of anyone else. Thomas and Wyatt had both stopped by to make sure I was still here, I think. But they couldn't meet my eyes, which was just as well because I'm not sure that I could meet their's either.

I sigh, sliding reluctantly from my warm bed and gently padding into the bathroom. I avoid my reflection as I brush my teeth. I haven't been able to meet my own gaze lately. I probably have dark circles from the nightmares keeping me awake.

Usually I can suppress everything I've done. Everything seems to be stacking up and flooding out of the cage I'd kept it all in for so long.

I spit and rinse my mouth. I head back into my room to grab a blanket to wrap around me since it's almost breakfast time which means Cam will be coming by. I'd been wearing the same clothes for a few days now and I'm sure I smelled like it.

I'm just settling the blanket over my shoulders when Cam's gentle knock on my door echoes through the tiny cottage. I pull the blanket a little tighter around me as I make my way to the door. I'm hoping he doesn't want to stay and chat this morning. I glance at the clock on the microwave and frown as I realize he's come by earlier than usual.

I retract an arm from under my blanket to pull open the door and I nearly slam it when I do. Standing on my porch, isn't Cam, but Xavier.

For a moment, it feels like I've forgotten how to breathe. I don't know why, but I hadn't expected to be seeing him anytime soon. Yet, there he is, wearing jeans and a leather jacket.

I guess I'd just stood there staring at him for a while because he starts to frown. "Lorelai?"

I clear my throat, looking away from his piercing gaze. It feels like he's trying to look into me. "Did you need something?"

I hear him swallow, almost nervously. "I just stopped by to check on you. Can I come in?"

I step aside, gesturing for him to come inside while keeping my head down. I slowly close the door behind him, keeping my hand on the doorknob far longer than I need to as I stare down at my hand. I can't seem to figure out what it is I'm feeling or why it feels like it's trying to swallow me whole.

I withdraw my hand, pulling it back under the blanket as I turn around. Xavier is standing in the middle of the living room, looking around at the place. There's something that looks like concern on his face as he inspects everything.

He turns to me and I wait quietly as he looks me over. Finally, he sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. "Have you been eating?"

I shrug, though I'm sure it's hard to see under the blanket. "Cam has been bringing me breakfast and dinner."

As if on cue, a knock sounds on the door. I turn, pulling the door open to see Cam smiling with a tupperware in his hands. His eyes dart behind me, noticing Xavier standing there but he doesn't say anything.

He hands me the tupperware and grabs my hand before I can pull it away. His voice is low and quiet. "Are you okay?"

His concern brings a tiny smile to my face as I look up from his hand wrapped around mine to meet his eyes. "Define okay."

He chuckles, letting my hand go. "Yeah, I guess I can relate to that. You know where to find me if you need me."

I nod, watching him run off before closing the door. I make a show of setting the tupperware on the counter before turning to look at Xavier. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but he's watching me with an almost calculating look on his face.

"You've managed to gather an interesting amount of admirers since coming here."

I shrug, unsure of what to say because it sounds more like he's just stating a fact instead of throwing an accusation.

He smiles suddenly, the simple action somehow managing to take my breath away. His smiles feel like watching a sunrise. "How have you been holding up?"

I open my mouth to say that I'm fine, but close it as I actually think over his question. If I'm being honest, killing Sarah and her mate has opened the floodgates and I'm feeling the guilt of every death I've been responsible for. I'm still thinking over how to respond when someone starts pounding on my front door.

"Lorelai! Lorelai, open the door!"

I'm moving towards the door before Caleb starts to shout. I pull it open, dropping the blanket.

"Caleb, what's-"

He grabs my hand, pulling me onto my porch. "I need your help. Oh god, you're never going to believe this."

My tone is full of alarm as I let him pull me down the porch steps and into the woods. "Caleb, what's wrong?"

When we're a suitable distance away from my little cottage, he turns to look at me. Releasing my hand, he takes a few steps away.

He shakes his head, distraught clear on his face. "It's just...oh, god. I- I-" He swallows, somewhat nervously. "I can't find my tail."

I blink rapidly, processing what he's just said. When it fully hits me what he's said, I swing a smack in his direction that he swiftly dodges. His laughter echoes through the trees around us.

"You jerk! I was so concerned for you!"

He laughs, continuing to dodge my attempts to push or slap him. "I know. I really had you going."

Finally, I manage to grab onto him and push him a bit. "You idiot! You don't have a tail because you're not a wolf right now."

He grins down at me. "I know. I can't believe you didn't once come visit me to see if I was okay." He shakes his head, shooting me a dramatic look. "After everything we shared."

I roll my eyes. "I think the next time we decide to take on a murderous Werewolf, I'll just let him spill your guts all over the floor. How's that sound?"

Even as the words leave my lips, I know I don't mean them one bit.

Caleb gasps, dramatically bring his hands up over his heart. "I can't believe you'd say that! I thought what we had was special!"

I laugh, shaking my head. I turn to head back to the warmth of my cottage and stop in my tracks when I see Xavier standing there.

He's got a wide smile on his face, the kind that makes his energy seem to glow around him.

As if just realizing Xavier is there, Caleb goes quiet and his tone is deathly serious when he greets him.

He clears his throat as he steps up beside me. "Alpha."

I laugh, unable to contain how entertained I am by his sudden seriousness.

I shake my head, still laughing as I walk past Xavier toward my discarded blanket and hopefully still warm breakfast.