Wings

Chapter 38

Chapter 38- Loving Thy Self

I practically sprang up from where I stood, spilling the bottle of water that I had toyed with and ultimately opened.

I skidded across the floor and opened the door before it shut where Xavier had gone through. 

"Wait!" I exclaimed but he was gone and in his wake was Alaric. The hairs on my neck prickled and without thinking I hissed at him. It was low and sinister. 

I quickly slapped my hand over my mouth bursting out an apology. Alaric looked at me sadly. He knew that he was the species that vampires despised and I was in the process of becoming one, the icing on the cake being that he had a part in it. 

He held a small pink bag in his hand and it was strange to see the big burly were-man nervous as he fumbled with his hands. "I am up next to sit with you for awhile, I can leave if you want."

I looked at his heartbroken eyes and I felt myself crack. I waved a hand inside and stepped back so that he had room to come in. 

He smiled and walked inside taking in the small picnic Xavier made. A small frown formed on his lips before he passed me the bag. 

"I thought maybe you could use something to cheer you up. I really am sorry, Hope. My wolf took complete control and I couldn't stand to see you get hurt-." I cut him off and wrapped my arms around him. He tensed before letting out a breath of air. "Its okay." I don't know what happened to me but suddenly my anger had dissipated. 

Alaric pulled away and looked at me and I just took the small bag and awkwardly made my way  to sit back on the ground where the blanket was placed. 

Alaric cleared his throat moving to sit beside me. "What movie did Xavier put on for you."

I laughed, "A sappy romance." I said gesturing to the screen  I hadn't realized was playing until seconds ago. 

Alaric laughed and leaned back on the blanket angling himself to me. He looked at me expectantly and I smiled reluctantly, pulling tissue from the pink bag. There was a small pale pink box surrounded by little balls of chocolate. I took the box and pried it open, gasping at what I found inside. 

It was a thin, silver bracelet with the silhouette of a wolf on its clasp. My mouth was still agape when I took it out of the box and held it in my hands."

"Do you like it?" I looked at Alaric and beamed, nodding. 

I passed it to him and put out my wrist where he carefully wrapped it around. I smiled and turned over the little wolf furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. "What is this?"

I asked referring to the steel straw-like structure that was on the back. 

"Its hallows tree poison, its harmful to all supernatural creatures. One puff of this and you're burning for hours and it disorients you for a few minutes."

I nodded. "Thank you, Alaric."

He shrugged at me clearing his throat. " Hungry?" He asked grabbing a couple of grapes and shoving them in his mouth. 

I snorted at him and shook my head before turning to face the movie. 

In two hours the movie was over and Alaric was fast asleep on the other side of the blanket. His mouth was hung open and his snores were echoing throughout the vast room. 

"How are you doing?"

I gasped in surprise as I turned and found Ashered leaning on the now open window seal. His wings were closed against his back, his hair frazzled from the wind, arms tucked over his naked chest. The only thing that he wore being black pants. 

I pulled myself up from the floor and made my way over to him. "I don't know what I'm doing." I said honestly moving to  lean against the wall beside him. 

Ashered nodded, "I know my love at least you are more comfortable." He said regarding the leggings and tank top that I wore. 

I snorted. "Everything was too hot." 

Ashered looked at me and laughed softly. " It is certainly not, your body is just trying to adapt to becoming completely different."

I nodded. "I had an idea." I said chewing my lip nervously. "What if I committed to myself instead of another person."

Ashered was silent for a moment and when I looked over his eyes seemed to look deep into me. "You don't know who you truly care for yet, do you?" He asked quietly. I looked at the bracelet I wore and Ashered's gaze followed mine. 

He hummed at this and looked at my mouth before meeting my eyes. 

" You kissed Xavier." 

His voice was void of any emotion and I felt my heart shatter. 

"Ashered." I breathed out as tears began to cloud my vision.

"I'll look into what you said." And like that in a blink he was gone nothing left but the dark figure ascending  into the night leaving me at the open window, blissfully cold and guilt ridden.