Chapter 5 CHA

Once I have covered myself with mud the chase is over; with Kai odorless and directionless, I am certain I am safe. I pass by the street the diner is on and go home. I'm an hour behind and I pray that Uncle Luke is asleep or passed out drunk. I slowly open the front door, and cringe at every creaky noise. No lights are turned on; perhaps this indicates he is sleeping. I creep silently up the stairs and open the door to my room; my light on, I can see Uncle Luke at the foot of my bed with a furious face.

"Uncle. Sorry. I can explain." He stands up, grabs me by the hair and slams me onto the floor. He thumps kicks into my stomach and legs over and over.

Not only did you come home late, but you are dirty with mud, and you've brought it all into my house!" He roared. I try to cover myself up with my arms to shield myself from the slaps to no avail. I howl in pain with every slap, every kick, and every punch. I curl myself up until I am let go of the beating with a lovely unconsciousness.

There is not an inch of my body that doesn't ache; I've spent the whole day lying as still as possible to let my body heal. By the time the night comes, I'm strong enough to have a little bath and wash the mud from my skin. Bruised from head to toe, covering me in bruises, my body tells the story of the worst abuse I've ever endured. I hug my knees and cry for a while over the fight I had with Kai last night, and the beating I took when I came home. Uncle Luke will kill me if he finds out about what has been happening to Kai or about losing my job. I wash the dishes and cook some food in the kitchen as well as I can in my condition. I stuck them in the refrigerator; Uncle Luke will have no trouble finding them. Sometimes I am sure that I won't survive the next beating, but somehow I always do. I return to my room and sleep within minutes.

The next day, I'm still badly injured but a little better. I get dressed, comb out my long brown hair and apply some makeup to hide the bruising on my cheeks. Uncle Luke will be expecting me to be at work but I don't dare return there; not after what occurred the other evening. I consider going into town, forty-five minutes from home, to seek alternative employment. A block away from the diner, I spot the black Mercedes following me. I do not want to play games today. I exit the car and head towards the driver. I stand there to ensure they know I'm waiting for them.

The car stops next to me and a back window rolls down. A dark-haired male in his mid-thirties, and dark-eyed, smiles warmly in a way that surprises me. He sports an unusual-looking scar beside his ear; half an ear is missing. I don't catch a glimpse of the driver but the two guys in the back look to be in their early twenties.

"Why are you guys tailed me?" I demand.

Forgive my rudeness, miss. My name is Zephyr. I ride the bus to work every day and always notice you strolling down this street alone. I'm only concerned that someone might take advantage of you. I'd like to look out for you and protect you," he says.

"Right. Well, the only thing that's bothering me out here is this car with you ghostly people in it," I state.

"You're a thankless one, now, aren't you?" He says sternly.

"Look, Zephyr, if you don't mind. I've had a completely miserable week. I have to get into town, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just cut out the tailgating and just leave me alone."

"What ever happened to your job working at the diner?" Zephyr queries.

"How do I know you worked there?"

"I've caught you in there when I am driving by going to work."

"Sure." I head off in the opposite direction.

"Wait, take this." He hands me his business card.

I take it reading it, Zephyr Creations CEO, with a contact number. I look at Zephyr in puzzlement.

"If you need a job, call me," he says.

"Thank you, but I'll be fine, I'm sure," I say, handing back the card.

"No, you take it. Just in case. I'll catch you around, Aurora." He smiles at me and his window goes up, obscuring his view.

"Hey!" I call out after him as he takes off. "How did you know my name?"

I simply stand there as the vehicle disappears further and further into the distance. The diner lies before me; I don't want to pass it, but there is no other road to travel; the woods are the only other landmark in the vicinity. There are more cars at the diner than usually would be.

A number of the same men that I served last night are standing outside. They are staring straight at me. One of them leans forward and another walks in. I quicken my pace, knowing Kai might be with them. For a moment, I'm calm, and I'm thinking this is a nonevent before Kai shows up before me. You've got to be kidding me. How in the world did he get here that quickly? I circle around him.

"Aurora," he says. I just keep going, and Kai stays with me. "Aurora," he repeats. I lower my head and just keep going. He grabs my wrist, and sparks explode between us from his touch alone; the sexual tension is crazy.

"Kai! Let me go!" I yell.

No. I went looking for you guys last night when you left, and yesterday and today. We are going to the diner to talk about this," he says to me.

"There's nothing to talk about!" I say to him, trying to shake myself free.

Kai grasps me around the waist and sweeps me onto his shoulder. I yell in pain from the injuries I sustained, so much so that I cry tears down my face. Kai promptly sets me down.

"What's wrong?" He asks.

"Nothing, just do not touch me," I respond. Kai shoves my hoodie down.

"Aurora. I'd like you to look at me, please," he pleads. He notices bruises on my neck and chest.

I look into his blue eyes, tears flowing down my face. I have no idea why but I am so ashamed of what I did.

"Oh, Aurora...", he says, as he tries to brush my tears from my face; I step back and take a step away. I'm not used to his goodness at all.

"Aurora, I didn't mean to hurt you," he says.

"I know," I say, moving away from him.

"Can you walk with me to the diner and we can talk?" I nod and we walk to the diner.

At the diner, I don't have time to open the door before one of Kai's guards comes over and opens the door for us.

"Alpha," he says respectfully. Kai walks in while I remain standing.

"You've been here almost a year and now you're afraid to come in?" Kai says.

"I'd just prefer Jasper didn't see me like this," I say to him. Kai regards me for a moment.

"I'll instruct him to stay in the kitchen," he suggests. I cross my arms, nod and keep my face low.

A moment or two more, and I can hear clanking pots and pans, and Jasper screaming "let me see her, damn it." Kai is trying to hold Jasper back; he's obviously really angry and upset that I've been beaten again, and this time harder. I know Jasper won't be calm anytime soon, so I take a deep breath and enter.

"Jasper, I don't want you to stare at me like that; I've made a proper fuss. I'm really sorry," I whisper, up on the kitchen bench, and staring at the heap of pots and pans on the floor. Jasper stands stiffly at the sight of me. I'm glad the extent of my beatings are concealed by my hoodie and jeans.

Aurora." Jasper echoes, glancing at me. Tears fill his eyes, he takes a step towards me and I retreat; he glares and turns away.

"I'll get you some ice," he whispers, going to the freezer. The other men in the diner are all staring at me, pitying me for my wounds.

I let them know I'm not at ease by glaring at them; they all turn their faces away.

Aurora, sit down," Kai says, walking to the door of the diner, flipping the OPEN sign, and locking the door with the key. I am nervous.

"It's all right, Aurora. I just don't want us to be bothered. I'll let you out when you're ready to leave," he says to me. I nod and sit down at one of the booths with the booth seats. Kai sits beside me. Jasper gives me the ice pack without looking at me and returns to the kitchen.

"Aurora, we need to discuss your place of residence," he says to me.

"There's nothing to discuss," I say to him.

"Aurora, you want him to kill you? Because if you look at you right now, another beating before your eighteenth birthday, and there's a good chance you'll die," he says.

"Why can't I survive another beating?" I demand. All the men in the room are listening with rapt attention to our conversation.

"She doesn't know about us, or even believe me. Yet," he says. The men speak to each other with knowing looks; unspoken words pass between them via their body language; I'm not privy to their thoughts.

Jasper has made me a flat white and some sandwiches. I'm starving. I eat slowly and delicately; pain in my jaw makes it almost impossible, which is why I haven't eaten for days.

"Aurora, I am going to tell you all of this and I know you won't believe me, but still, you must know now so you know what to do on your birthday. Whatever I say to you, try to keep a clear head. It is a lot to take in. The world that you are familiar with is going to change," Kai says to her, forming his words very carefully.

Too sore and too tired to argue, I just sit here sipping my coffee and listen.

"I have a house that is known as a pack. All packs have an Alpha and a Luna who are the leaders of the pack. If you're not part of a pack then you're known as a rogue." I raise an eyebrow and cock my head.

"So because I'm not part of a pack I'm a rogue?" I ask.

"Yes, that's correct. But being a rogue isn't nice. It makes you weaker. And you can't go anywhere: you have to be invited to join in another pack's ground, or else you would be punished by immediate death by some pack member living in that ground," he says to me.

"That is not nice; to kill someone for passing through," I say.

"Okay, well, rogues are usually bad, and don't have a good excuse for coming into foreign countries. That's why," he explains.

"Okay."

"When you're eighteen, something really magical happens to us. Our wolf inside us awakens. You will be able to hear your wolf in your head. You'll also heal ridiculously fast and you'll be able to shift into your wolf for the very first time that evening." I'm laughing and I glance around to see everyone looking really serious; they're all serious about this. This isn't a lie.

I concentrate on Jasper; he places his hand over mine and presses it gently.

"Aurora, I know that this is going to sound like some kind of fairy tale to you, but Alpha Kai is not lying to you, and you know that I would never lie to you," Jasper states firmly.

Withdrawing my hand, I get up. Kai and Jasper stand up. I glance around the diner once more at all of the men with their stern faces.

"I don't believe you. Either of you," I tell them.

"Jasper, would you like to do the honors and show me?" Kai asks. Jasper nods, and starts stripping. Angered that Jasper is taking off his clothes in front of me, I close my eyes, and turn around.

"Jasper! What are you doing?" I ask him. I hear ripping of undergarments, tearing of muscles and cracking of bones; the sounds are atrocious. I'm recharged again with the strain between Kai and I, when he pulls my hands away from my face with his; forcing me to watch. Before you know it, Jasper's face and shape is no longer his, and he's covered in fur; he literally shifts into a large brown wolf.

I begin hyperventilating and go into shock at what I've just witnessed.

The wolf pauses and comes closer to me. My further screaming makes it stop in its way.

"Wolf. Wolf. Wolf." I fling random things at Jasper; whatever I have near me: the napkin holder, the salt, the pepper, the sugar, the ketchup, my empty mug, the spoon jar on the table. I try to stay away from him but no place is safe if you're stuck in a diner with a wolf.

It's okay, Aurora. Breathe. I know that it's a shock to you, but you need to breathe. It's just Jasper; he won't harm you," Kai says.

Breaking into hysterical tears blindly, I fall to the ground in the corner, and fold my knees, as tears permeate the denim on my legs.

Kai, don't let it get near me," I beg. The large wolf moves back into the kitchen behind me, and Kai stands on the floor next to me.

I told you I never wanted to see a wolf again! Why did you do that? Why in the world would you want me reliving my mom's death? Why?" I yell, placing my head on Kai's chest. He wraps his hard arms around me and holds me tight. I'm instantly reassured by him and feel a whole lot more comfortable. His scent and being next to him calm me down; they feel very safe.

"I apologize. I didn't realize your mother died on the day you saw the wolf. I'm sorry," he breathes into my hair, as his fingers entwine with mine.

I am furious with him but I want him just as much; his arms are embracing me and I am feeling that sense of security that I never imagined would. Fireworks explode everywhere on my body, so tightly squeezed against him. I do not ever want to leave his arms. It takes me some time, sitting there in silence, to comprehend Jasper's change into a wolf, and to overcome the flashbacks from when my mum passed away. Jasper reappears in the dining room in his clothes, looking at me with a sad and heartbroken expression. I'm too scared to make eye contact with him or to even look at him; he keeps his distance. A whole hour passes, with the memory of my mother's death replaying over and over in my mind. Things from that day linger in my head, and poor Kai doesn't have a notion of what I'm going through, as he holds me close with his arms. No one is going to make a sound or move; all the noises that I can hear are birds chirping outside and some random, sporadic knocks on the glass door of the diner because the diner is closed. Everyone feels sorry for me.

I sleep in Kai's arms.

I look up to see Kai staring down into my eyes with a sad face.

"There's something I need to tell you, but it waits till tomorrow," he says softly. I nod and look at the clock. It's late! I should have been home forever!

Springing up from Kai's arms, I run for the door to exit, turning the handle clockwise and counter-clockwise impatiently without success.

"Where's the key?" I demand.

"Aurora! You're not going anywhere, and you're definitely not going back to that house!" Kai argues.

"You swore you'd open the door when I'm ready to leave! You must release me. He'll kill me if I don't get home on time," I reason, attempting to open the door.

"Aurora, I will never let him touch you again. Do you get that?" Kai speaks sternly.

"He'll find me, Kai. He'll kill me if I don't return home. He'll catch me here," I argue.

"Good. Let him come. Because it's the last time he'll ever lay eyes on you," Kai says.

What are you going to do to him? You can't, you can't, kill him," I say.

"Why not? If I kill him now, you'll never have to fear him again."

"I know that he has hurt me, Kai, but my mother loved him. I'm the cause of her death. I don't want to be the reason the man she loved dies too!" I cry.

Kai grasps my chin with his hand to make me see him.

"I believe you must inform me of what went on on that day, the day your mother died," he says.

"Only Uncle Luke I have informed. I do not wish to repeat it." I look away with shame.

"Maybe someday you will tell me." I nod slowly.

The phone at the diner rings; we exchange a look knowing Uncle Luke is on the line inquiring why I haven't returned home yet. Kai tilts his head at Jasper to answer. "Yes, Jasper's Diner, how can I assist you?" Jasper inquires. "Yes, Aurora is here. No, sorry, she won't be taking the call. And no, she won't be coming home," he bluntly informs. "Let me say that again, I don't think you heard the message quite clearly enough. Aurora is not coming back to your house again." And a little bit of Jasper just listening, "oh really? Well, after what you've done to Aurora, my friends and I look forward eagerly to your visit." He slams the phone down and turns to Kai; I look away. I have no idea how to feel.

I am torn; I am glad and safe knowing Jasper has simply stood up to Uncle Luke for me.

At the same time, nobody has ever stood up to Uncle Luke for me; the feeling is thrilling and terrifying.

"He says he is coming on his way with his shotgun to take her home." I stand frozen at his words.

"Kai, I don't wish anyone harm; just let me go with him," I whisper.

"No. If you go with him, it will never stop. You'll get hurt again. Or worse, get killed," he responds.

"What happens to me is not your concern, Kai. I can look after myself," I reply. Kai lets out an irate growl.

"Because it's my issue because you're my mate!" He yells. We stare at each other for a moment.

"I know you're going to explain it tomorrow, but I need to know what a mate is now, because there is clearly something more to it than the fact that you have a girlfriend," I tell him. Kai lets out a sigh.

"Promise you won't freak," he says.

"I'm not promising you anything, Kai.

"Then maybe we can wait until tomorrow instead. You have enough to deal with as it is," he instructs. I slam my fist on the table.

"I want you to say it now, Kai!" I yell as I sit down on the chair opposite him. Kai looks away and then abruptly inhales and exhales. He leans back into the chair and looks into my eyes; his eyes contained a thousand unstated secrets. Maybe he doesn't know where to begin. He opens his arms wide and opens his hands.undefined"Give me your hands," he says gently, with a smile.