Chapter 20

Happy summer yalllllllllllllll!!

I'm in Wales right now on holiday so I'll make sure to post some photos!!

Enjoy my lovelies Xx

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I knew that my father would be in this area somewhere. Lurking beyond the protective barrier of the house like a fox patiently waiting to pounce on a rabbit. After all, if he found me when I was in recluse in Asher's pack then he must of hired a private detective that can perpetrate the impossible, especially considering he covered my tracks extremely well.

I ran over the plan in my head for the umpteenth time.

To some, it would sound like an idiotic notion forged by the mad hatter.

To me, it was my only way of escaping this prison and returning back to the pack.

This was my chance to regain happiness once more.

.....If I survived  the rational part of my head screamed.

My father still thought that I was an innocent and naïve teenager, so, I would use this knowledge to my advantage. Despite the fear burning through my veins at the prospect of physical contact with that monster, the willpower and craving to be back home drove me forward.

I tried to be pedantic regarding the details in my plan.

I must think of every single possibility, or else I will lose.

And I can't lose. I growled internally.

The plan was rather simple, but would implode if I over complicated the situation.

My father thought I would recluse in the house, cowering away from him like a timid kitten.

So I would completely counter this.

I would leave the house, for the first time since I arrived.

Get into my car, whom I had christened Otto, and drive to the nearest Bar or Club.

I could run away instead, back to my home. But then I would just lead my father to the only place I have ever felt safe. I couldn't poison it in such a way.

So I needed to end it now.

Purposely position myself in an open space so he can easily spot me. Then attack and watch my kitchen knife plunge through his heart, his black blood dripping onto the ground as his lifeline drained away.

Now, that would be entertaining  i snarled with hatred and grim satisfaction.

The sun began darkening beyond the horizon, flashing amber and red hues through the bursts of clouds.

I wouldn't do it today.

I wanted to look straight into his eyes as I killed him.

Luckily, all of those training sessions with him have paid off. My arms were much more muscly and my frame was much stronger than it was when I first moved to America.

Which would of been...... 8 months ago.

And a quarter of that time has been without my mate.

Anger surged through me like a tempest.

I was forced to put my life on hold because of my pathetic excuse for a parent?

I was finished moping around now.

In a way, I was thankful for this prison of a home.

It had made me stronger.

And as I looked out of the window with pure resolve, I felt all weakness filter out of my body, replaced by steel.

~~~~~~~~

I woke up with speed and purpose.

Last night was the only night I didn't have a nightmare. Most likely because I tired myself out last night by training to a point of exhaustion.

I alternated between strength exercises and simply practising plunging a knife into a makeshift dummy I made with pillows and sellotape.

I wish that I had magic like Laurent.

It would be very useful.....and amusing.

Fortunately, when i hastily packed my suitcase I brought some flexible and suitable clothing which was casual enough to keep me looking inconspicuous.

I readied myself carefully, grabbing 3 knives off the kitchen counter, all with varying sizes and weights, adapted to specific situations.

I tucked the smallest one in my suspender ( a girl needs a hidden dagger)and proceeded to sheath the other two around the waist band of my jeans behind my jacket so they were accessible.

Emotions were thrumming through my veins, a mixture of excitement, frustration, hope and a small dose of fear. Other than that, my body felt alive and prepared, buzzing with readiness and alertness.

Tying the mess that was my hair into a ponytail, I ensured no distracting tendrils hung loose.

Flying down the marble stairs, I swooped the car keys off the wooden holder and exhaled deeply.

I rushed through all of the things awaiting me once this hell was over, motivating me to step closer towards the door.

I didn't have much in my life, not much to cling onto anymore.

But I had hope of a better life without violence and hatred and pain.

My future was with the pack, even if a part of me still shivered with repulsion at that thought and all of my dreams that could never be accomplished.

But what I was only just beginning to understand was that I belonged there. And my heart knew it before my head did.

"Let's go do this" I muttered to myself, clenching and unclenching my fists to release some of my pent up anger before I had to thrust up a causal facade.

My hand, which was slightly clammy, began to vaguely tremble as I steered it towards the door handle.

God knows what I must of looked like in that moment. The gods were probably watching over me with immortal amusement.

After multiple calming breathes, I forced my hand to clench around the handle, and gently coax it open.

The door felt like led in my shaking palm, and it took all of my willpower to attempt to calm myself down and walk out.

My shoes were smashing against the pebbles of the drive, my feet guiding me towards Otto, Asher's sleek black Ferrari.

I ensured to keep an air of normality about me seeing as my father would be guarding the house. So, as I made myself comfy into the matte leather drivers seat, I reversed out of the drive with ease and then proceeded to follow what I'm guessing was the speed limit as I vacated the beach house, looking back only once to admire it's beauty.

In all honesty, I had no idea where I was going, my mind fogged the memories of the last time I entered the area, most likely because my mind was a mess and tears were clouding my vision.

I rode along the dusty path, careful to keep Otto clean and healthy, when I saw a sign post and what appeared to be a concrete road in the distance.

My heart skipped a beat and I sped the car up a few miles per hour in thankfulness and the desire for the confrontation  to be over and done with.

My eyes squinted and I leant over the steering wheel as I rolled closer to the sign, noticing that the nearest town was  13 miles away.

I signalled left, and marvelled in the feel of the concrete underneath the car so, like any other person with a ridiculously expensive and fast car, I decided to put it to use by zooming down the road. I ensured that I didn't go too fast as if to make it appear I wasn't rushing therefore I hopefully seemed like a person enjoying their car.

The minutes ticked by, and as I crossed every sign, it pulled me closer towards my destination. I peered out at the scenery, the mid-morning sun glazing the landscape in a mixture of honey and golden hues.

The perfect setting I sneered sardonically.

A part of me revelled in those minutes, where in most ways, I was still a free woman. Not blinded by a guilty conscience from murdering my father or committing violent acts beyond forgiveness.

Civilisation was dawning on the horizon,I could begin to hear children's squeals and the burst of engines from the houses and shops that were getting closer and closer.

Purpose tickled my veins, tinged with the slightest hint of fear. Mostly fear of the unknown. I hadn't seen my father in a year,I was unaware of what changes could of morphed him into an even more devilish and wicked character.

The thrum of life now cut my eardrums, as houses began to blur past my car and I entered the centre of the town, shops and business singing out to me for company.

Slowing down the engine, I spotted a carpark space outside a few restaurants and boutiques. Quickly grabbing the space before any one else could, I concentrated on parking Otto half-decently before cutting off the engine.

Taking a deep inhale, I thrust the car door open and strutted out.

I had no particular route, so I traipsed through the alley of shops, feigning interest in items when In actual fact I only had 10 dollars in my pocket.

The town was filling in with people now, families deciding to come and get lunch and go for a stroll.

I had only been wandering around for half an hour when the hairs on my arms stood up, sending a chill down my spine.

He was here. Nothing else would spark such a potent reaction from my body.

With attempted ease, I surveyed my surroundings with due calculation,

peering out for anything unordinary.

After a few glances, I noticed an alleyway less than a block from my position.

How cliché.

With a huff, I forced my legs to cautiously wander towards it, smoke plumes and accumulated rubbish greeting me as I inched closer and closer to the dirty walkway, my trainers hitting the concrete pavement with consistent thuds.

I focused my attention on whatever sounds I could hear as I edged closer to the dingy side-street.

The only audible sounds were the faint barking of a dog and multiple ventilators pumping polluted air into the street, smog curling around the fire escapes of the alleyway.

I plunged myself into the mess, my trainers chafing on sharp edges of discarded cans and beer bottles.

I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of movement, my fingers instinctively inching closer towards the dagger at my waist.

Then, I felt a breath of air at the nape of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I whirled around, the dagger in my hand breaking free and flying through the air with attempted aim.

As I turned around, my heart stopped beating in my chest.

Stood only metres away from me was my father, as disgusting and beady as I always remembered him, his calculating brown eyes with no warmth hearing them, and his small, scrawny body violently grasping a girl by the the throat.

"Hello Darling" He seethed, a sadistic smile cutting his bearded chin.

"I would think twice about throwing that knife at me, girl" He spoke condescendingly, his grimy fingers reaching to the girls forehead and brushing away a mass of ebony hair.

"We wouldn't want this pretty little thing to get her neck snapped" He cooed over her.

Lola.

She lifted her shocked eyes to mine, fear and horror gleaming through hers and burning into mine.

I tried to mask my own anxiousness at this, my plan shattering before my eyes. Things just got complicated.

"You see, Rose" He started, blackness overtaking his eyes, "you can stop all of this. You have the power to stop this. I will let your little friend go if you come with me back to England"

His fingers dragged lazily across her porcelain neck, as if time were endless.

"What makes you think I will go back to England with you? After all of this pain you truly think I feel safe or even happy with you? If I go back to England, I will spend everyday of my life trying to escape you. Every single day" I replied angrily, my hands clenching into fists, my breaths becoming jagged with years of agony pent up inside.

His jaw clenched.

"Maybe you need some persuasion" He schemed,  unsheathing a pocket knife from his jeans and pressing it against Lola's throat, triggering a small cry to slip from her trembling lips.

I got out a knife of my own, smoothly hiding it behind my back before he noticed, and lightly stepped towards him.

"Stop"

I ordered, my tone quiet and threatening, the Luna in me seeping forward.

He peered at me, with amusement in his glazed eyes,

"You DARE order me?, well well little girl, you still haven't learnt" spit dripped from his lips as he turned his knife, plunging it towards Lola's chest.

But I saw it coming. With inhuman speed, I leaped into the air, rugby tackling him to the concrete whilst pushing Lola away, my skin scraping across the gravel.

I landed a swift punch to his jaw before he roughly grabbed me by the waist, pushing me underneath him and throwing a hard punch to my cheekbone which sent a burst of agony through me. With a shriek,I brought my knee up and smashed it where the sun doesn't shine. He shrivelled up on himself in pure pain, giving me an opening.

I unsheathed my knife once more, wielding it with strength I wasn't aware I had, and plunged it towards his stomach. He narrowly rolled away, grabbing my legs in the process and throwing my body to the floor, my head colliding with the hard ground. Dizziness clouded my mind, and I was faintly aware of blood dripping from my skull, but I shook it away, focusing on the madman in front of me, who was clawing his way onto me, punching my ribs with a harsh severity. I could feel my ribs crack under his scrutiny.

Agony was dominating my body, but I moved my hand with the remainder of my strength towards the knife in my suspender due to my other one being thrown onto the floor.

As I squinted upwards, a flash of movement attacked my eyes. A dark grey beast was biting and growling at my father, who lay against a bin paralysed in fear. It savaged his arm, biting off the whole arm up to the shoulder. Blood sprayed my clothing, the gruesome sounds emitted by my father making me feel nauseous.

It looked towards me, understanding glinting in its eyes. And I knew that it was leaving the final shot for me. Or Lola was, I should say. I could see her humanity and hatred underneath the mass of fur.

With a nod Lola's way, I forced myself up off the floor, wiping my bloody nose onto my sleeve and stumped towards the pathetic excuse for a man who was slumped against the bricks.

I grabbed my largest knife off the gravel, and wandered towards him, pain evident on my expression.

I merely looked into his eyes, detest blossoming in me.

"Go to hell you son of a bitch" I snarled, stabbing the dagger directly into his heart and watched with satisfaction as his lifeline drained away.

Eventually, when I cocked my head , Lola was back in human form, adjusting her clothing, blood staining her clothes and a bruise blossoming on her jawline.

We just stared at each other until tears started falling down my cheeks and she ran to embrace me. I ignored the shot of pain from my ribs as I hugged my friend after months apart.

"I've missed you so much" I cried into her shoulder, holding onto her like she would disappear any minute.

"You didn't even say goodbye" She shot back, a hint of anger in her melancholy tone.

"I know, I'm so sorry. I need to explain everything to you. But.... I can come back now... now that my fathers out the way. I can come home"

Lola squealed happily in reply, her eyes red and swollen when she pulled back to look at me. I lightly smiled at her, salty tears still streaming down my face.

"Let's go home" she whispered, her voice breaking as she sobbed.

I nodded in agreement, the agony soaring through my body causing me to wince.

"Shit Rose, you're injured. We need to get you back to the pack now" Her tone shifted to a much more serious one.

"Let's go" She said, throwing her arm around me so I could lean on her.

I could feel myself pale, blood draining from my face. The agony was unbearable, my pain unimaginable.

My torso was on fire, exhaustion dripping over me, my body finally relenting after the confrontation ceased.

My eyes were unconsciously closing,

despite me fighting to keep them open.

Just as we were about to round the corner into the street, heavy footsteps were crashing towards us.

My heart momentarily stopped, until I saw Asher and Laurent rushing towards us, determination carved onto their countenances.

Then darkness curled around me, pulling me into unconsciousness.