Chapter 56

RAVEN Taylor and I watched another movie after , we talked about our sucky situations as we ate all the snacks and even grabbed some beer from the fridge .

Comforting each other when we needed it and laughing at our lame attempts at singing .

Yes , we were both tone – deaf and sounded horrifying , but hey we had fun and lots of giggles .

Taylor was an amazing friend , and although we weren’t close as children , it felt like I had known him forever .

I mean , I did , but not like this .

The credits of the second movie had now ended and the TV had switched off , but m e and Taylor were still awake , lying side b y side on the bed , staring at the shadows that were cast across the ceiling thanks to the moonlight shining through the cracks in the curtains and the tree branches .

” Raven … ” ” Yeah ? ” I said , yawning as I rubbed my eyes sleepily .

” You know , when we were little … When I was weird and awkward , that shy kid no one wanted to know or play with , you used to always greet me and talk to me ….

” ” You were not weird ; you were cute and adorable .

” I said , trying to keep my eyes open .

” Mmm you’d think that … But you were this little , tiny girl , like the smallest one i n the pack , and everyone used to say you had a growth issue … Cause you were like six , wearing two – year – old clothes … ” He said drowsily .

” Yeah … I remember … I’m sure it was three years clothing … He chuckled sleepily .

” You were like a damn little doll … Walking and talking yet so damn doll sized … Well … you always had this big smile on your face and always talked to me , complimenting me on what I was wearing , my hair … saying good morning ….

and although it was something small , it made my day … So , thank you … ” He yawned , turning on to his side to face me .

” I never even knew your name for many years … ”

Hmm ? You didn’t ? ” I asked , turning my head to look at him .

” No , I used to call you the girl who looks like a doll … until I heard Liam calling you once … I’m older than you , but I was timid , and back then you were so brave ….

You still are … You’re damn perfect and no matter what you do , I’m going to support you ok ? ” His eyes fluttered shut , and I yawned again .

” Mmm thanks … I’ll always support you too … ” I remembered saying before my eyes fluttered shut and sleep welcomed me into its folds …

My eyes flew open , my heart pounding .

I sat up , looking around the room , it took m e a moment to realise I had fallen asleep a t Taylor’s .

His back was to me and he was snoring lightly .

I looked around the dark room , brushing my hair off my face .

How had I woken up ? Something didn’t feel right … I slowly got off the bed , not wanting to disturb Taylor .

I walked across the floor , careful not to step on the chocolate wrappers and rubbish that we had littered all over the floor , before I tip – toed to the window .

Taylor had left the top one open to air the room that had smelt of take – out , but it was fairly silent outside .

The distant sound of an animal and the rustle of the leaves in the trees were all that I could hear .

I peered out past the tree that stood in the corner of Taylor’s garden and my eyes fell on my old bedroom window that was just across from Taylor’s .

I was about to turn away when my wolf’s uneasiness made m e look back at my old house … Almost as if urging me to pay attention to it .

She wanted me to go there .

Why ? I could feel her restlessness and I frowned , glancing back at Taylor , before I slowly unlocked the window and slid it up silently , flinching when it made a slight squeak .

I paused as Taylor groaned and turned over , falling back to sleep.. I blew out a breath and slowly climbed onto the ledge , lowering the window as much as possible behind me before I jumped to the ground below , landing lithely , I stood up straight , ignoring the sharp poking of the stones beneath my feet , and padded towards my parents ‘ home , jumping over the low fence . Mom lived alone now , was she ok ? Latest Post Update Everyday www.m.techkaushal.com My heart skipped a beat as a horrible thought came to my head .

No … don’t think like that , Raven .

I walked around the house , my heart pounding despite trying to push that thought away .

Should I just do the doorbell and see if she was ok ? Wait … it’s night – time , she’ll be asleep … I stared at the dark house , hesitating before I turned away , but once again my wolf’s restlessness made me turn back .

Since returning to the pack she was a little more active and I didn’t want to shut her out if she was trying to tell me something .

I needed to respect that .

Ok calm down , I’ll mind link her . ‘ Mom ? ‘ No answer , she was probably asleep …..

‘ Mom ?! ‘ I tried pushing through that block , frowning at the fact I was drawing a blank .

What the heck ? Had she shut me out ? Could she do that so strongly whilst sleeping ? I turned , thinking to go do the doorbell , I was beginning to feel worried , maybe I’m just overreacting .

No wait , a sudden thought came to me and I padded around the house to the bathroom window , wondering if Dad ever got it fixed .

I smiled when I saw the gap in it . Something that Mom always asked Dad to fix , seems like he never bothered ! Perfect ! I scanned the ground , finding a decent sized branch that I used to slip into the gap and pry up the dodgy handle .

It was a small window but I’d fit .

Grabbing onto it , I pulled myself onto the ledge and squeezed in , frowning when my ass and thighs got a little stuck .

Just great , seems like the only place I had grown over the years was there . Stupid fat thighs ….

I pulled myself through , feeling the window scrape my ass and snag at my pants .

Finally , I managed to get in and blew out a breath .

Yay ! The cool bathroom tiles were pleasant beneath my feet as I made my way to the door , opening it ever so silently . Calming my heartbeat to minimise the sound of it .

One look at Mom and then we were back out of here .

She never needed to know I had been here ! I made my way down the dark hall , the scent of pumpkin spice lingered in the hall and I smiled sadly . It was Mom’s favourite smell , year in and year out .

She’d stock up on the festive scented candles in the winters and use them throughout the entire year .

I was careful , making sure to stay towards the wall .

The floorboards didn’t creak so much where they were hardly stepped on .

Years of sneaking out really does help . I went up the stairs as silently as I could .

Glancing down the hallway , I could see the door to Mom’s room was open and I frowned .

Did she leave it open because Dad wasn’t here ? Wait , I refused to call him Dad … Latest Post Update Everyday www.m.techkaushal.com The entire house was dark , and it was a little cold too , I felt my stomach twist .

Wasn’t she taking care of herself ? I silently made my way down the hall , frowning when I didn’t hear a heartbeat .

Wait , had she left the pack or something ?! Was that why my wolf was worried ? After all , it had a link to family .

I rushed to the door , pushing it open , expecting to see a half – empty room .

I froze at the smell of blood that filled my nose .

My eyes snapped to the silhouette of someone under the sheets on the bed .

My heart pounded as fear and panic settled within me .

Alarm bells going off .

No heartbeat … Blood … Was that ….

” Mom ? ” I asked , my voice shaky as 1 edged closer to the bed .

Please be a prank .

Please tell me I’m wrong .

” M – mom ?! ” I whimpered , sounding terrified .

Stay strong , Raven .

My entire body was shaking involuntarily , I couldn’t breathe properly … I reached out with a trembling hand for the sheets .

Mom’s scent and the stench of fresh blood now overrode my senses .

I couldn’t bring myself to lower the duvet ….

My chest was heaving .

I’m scared … ‘ Liam ….

” I whimpered through the link ; h e was probably asleep … ‘ What is it , Love ? Are you ok ? ‘

Worry and concern were clear in his voice , but the warmth of just hearing him made me feel an inch braver .

It was a struggle to reply , as I yanked the bedding back .

My mouth widened in a silent scream and I stumbled back , my breathing ragged as I stared at the horrifying scene before me .

No please goddess … no ! Fuck ….

There lay Mom with blood – stained bedding under her , her empty mouth hanging wide open slit from ear to ear , her teeth were gone and where her eyes should have been were two gaping sockets ..

‘

Raven , where the fuck are you ? ‘ Liam’s voice snapped me out of horror my struck state .

‘ Liam … Mom … ‘ I trailed off when the sudden feeling of being watched overcame me .

The hair at the back of my neck stood up and my heart thundered .

I whipped around , but I was too late .

Something struck my head , a searing pain erupted through it , and before I could even recover or react , I felt a stinging pain in my neck .