Poison Tree

Elephant in the room

     I froze. And by froze, I mean my breathing stopped, as did my blood. My thoughts went blank, my hearing stopped, hell, even if I could form words, I highly believe none would come out. It was the calm before the storm. Or shall I say storms.
Shift.
     Was the only word that was going through my head. It was like a flip being switched, because at that moment, a head splitting headache pounded through my head, causing me to fall to the floor, hands crushing my head. I heard a loud, disturbing ringing. This was the type of bells that I disliked. I saw steel eyes right in front of me, grabbing my arms. The look of panic was unmistakable in his eyes. But that wasn't all. His eyes. They were glowing. But that's not all. In his hauntingly beautiful eyes, I saw mine. But they weren't mine. Instead of my Hazel green eyes, violet eyes were painted on my face. Words were coming from steel eyes, but I couldn't hear them. My mouth felt like pins and needles. I started drooling uncontrollably. As I went to take one of my hands from my head and put it over my mouth, I paused. My hands weren't hands anymore. They were contorted. And where my once manicured nails once were, now stood long, sharp claws. I gasped in shock before raising them to look at them. I didn't have time to ponder on my hands because a sharp and heavy pain was now all over me. From my chest, to my back, my legs to my arms. I wanted to rip my skin off. The feeling was so uncomfortable. I looked at steel eyes, who now had me on the floor. I wanted so desperately to scream for help, even if it meant asking him. It felt as if I was drowning. Soon, black dots started clouding my vision, and I mentally smiled, realizing that the agony was soon going to rid me. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was steel eyes. It was as if he was trying to soothe me. And his eyes were the only thing I saw as I was in my coma.

     This was not how I envisioned me dying.

*Giovoni's POV*

     It was like ever since I brought Tsar.....well, kidnapped her, she's left my emotions in mayhem. When she asked to take a shower first, I was confused. I surely thought that she'd jump at the chance to escape. Sure I could've easily gotten her female clothes, but she was mine, and I wanted every male within six hundred thousand miles to know it. So I went to my room, grabbed a pair of sweats, a towel and rag, and at the last minute, opted for my body wash as well. As I was heading back to her temporary room, I heard her screaming to the top of her lungs every insult she could think of.
Show her who's in charge.
I smirked and before she could pound on the door again, I was In front of her. I thought it was cute that she only reached my chest. But what made my day was how flustered she got when I took off my shirt. She was so innocent I couldn't help but tease her. But all that went to hell when she screamed. I didn't know what to do. It was like everything happened in slow motion. She was on the floor writhing in pain. Then it hit me. This was her first shift. At the diner, I managed to sneak up on her. If she was in tune with her wolf, she would've smelled me coming. Especially considering my rank, and that I'm hers. Did she even know what she was?
HELP HER, HELP MATE!
That snapped me out because instantly I was on the floor with her. I didn't know weather to go ahead and mark her or not. What if the shift killed her? Should I get a sedative? But before I could even do anything, she went limp in my arms. Instantly my wolf surged forward. I let out a loud, earth rumbling growl. Immediately after, the door burst down and in came Jimmy, my beta, and three death wolves. But I needed only jimmy. I gently laid Tsar's head from my lap and on the floor and stood up slowly. I turned and marched towards a very scared Jimmy. Before I could reach out and grab Jimmy, Derek, my beta, appeared in my face.
     "Gio, calm down, what's wrong?" But He was wasting my time, which was her time.
     "Move." I commanded. I glared as Derek tried to disobey my command, but smirked when he hesitantly moved to the side. I grabbed Jimmy by the neck and dragged him towards Tsar. I threw him on the floor before squatting down next to them.
     "Help.Her." I spat out. I watched as Jimmy shakily took her pulse.
     "S-she's uhhh, s-she's still b-breathing." I let out a deep breath. So she was alive. Good. I was going to put Tsar on the bed, when I heard commotion in the hall. I looked as two death wolves had the other pinned down, fangs bared.
"What is the meaning of this?" I bellowed. Both of the death wolves looked at me nervously, while the other one was still snapping at them, trying to break free.
"He wants her. He wanted to mark her." One of the death wolves said, while the other still had him pinned.
Kill him. He wants mate.
I let out a deafening growl and lunged at the death wolf, tearing his head clean from his neck.
"EVERYONE OUT NOW!" I bellowed, breathing ragged. "Jim, get me the pain killers and a sedative. Derek, I want every, and I mean EVERY male wolf off of this territory. Take them to the other one, and if anyone objects, lock them up and I'll deal with them later." I spat out, growling under my breath as I watched them scurry about. I tremble went through my body as I let out a deafening roar. All I saw was red. How dare he try to mark what was mine? I shouted before putting my fist through the door.
Shift. Shift. Shift. Shift. My wolf chanted. I put my hands to my head, pulling my hair.
Mark her. Mark her NOW!" My wolf growled out in my head. I stood slowly and walked towards Tsar. She looked so fragile.
For now. She will be stronger with your mark. My wolf growled out. I kneeled down and took her into my lap once more. I tilted her head so that her neck was exposed clearly. I saw the glow reflecting from my eyes on her face. Her long lashes casted shadows that danced softly across her face. Her pink lips were swollen, and she had them slightly open, a soft snore coming from them, and in that moment, nothing sounded so, so beautiful. It put all harmonies and orchestras to shame. Was this what she looked like in the moonlight? Her cheeks were moist with tears, and my heart clenched. Why was she just now shifting? Did she truly know what she was? What we were? Where are her parents? Hell, her pack?! I growled, anger surfacing once again. I felt my canines tear through my gums as I brought Tsar's neck to my lips. Just as my teeth grazed her neck, she whimpered. I thought my heart clenched before. That had nothing on this. I bit my lips and gently picked Tsar up, carefully carrying her to the bed. I laid her down, and made sure to tuck her in, doing a once over of her to make sure she looked comfortable. Went into the bathroom and finally shifted. I needed to run. If I didn't, I would have marked her, and I know that that's not what she wants. When I mark her, I want it to be under her command, and under her circumstances. I shifted quickly, and snapped at my wolf, gaining control and quickly pushing him back. I padded softly out of the room, taking one final look at Tsar. She was now curled into the fetal position. Satisfied, I turned to leave, but quickly crouched into an attack stance. Before I lunged, a shaky Jimmy came out of the shadows with his hands up. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting. I growled and nodded towards the bathroom, watching as he hurriedly ran into the bathroom and practically throwing the things into the bathroom. I growled lowly, seeing as he was making unnecessary noise. I sat and watched patiently as he tiptoed out the room, before leaving a few minutes after him. As I broke the clearing, I howled as loud and as long as I could. I tore through trees, eyes darting for any sign of prey. I spotted a deer and made a beeline straight for it like the predator I was. I drug the deer's carcass back to my house, and sat it down in the tree lines. I laid and ate my kill, and I couldn't help but think that it was scary to have something I was actually afraid of.