Beauty and Beasts

by Willow Rose

  Her parents had called and said they wouldn't be back till the middle of next week. They asked if she would be all right to be alone for that long. It was slightly longer than usual, but for Amy, it was just her life. She loved it when her parents came home and looked forward to them coming back, but once they were there, she was always filled with this deep sadness because she knew she was going to have to say goodbye to them again soon and then she would be alone again.

  It was the same over and over again.

  She had told her mom it would be fine and not to worry; she was good. Then she had hung up, a tear escaping her eye, wondering if her parents would even miss her when she was gone. She didn't dare to tell them she wasn't doing well, that she was, in fact, about to break into a thousand pieces, but how could she? They would never come home again.

  She felt a pain in her toe and looked down. One of the puppies was nibbling on her sock. "Come here, you," she said and picked it up. She held it in her hands and petted it gently. Billie Jean approached her and brushed her side up against Amy's leg. Amy chuckled as the puppy bit her thumb when a wave of pain worse than anything she had ever felt before shot through her body, emerging from her back and oozing through the rest of her body. Amy froze and bent forward, then dropped to the floor, the puppy falling out of her hand. She lay on her stomach, squirming and tossing, panting and gasping for air while the pain grew and grew, and she felt like her back was being ripped to pieces.

  In the fog of pain, she could hear Billie Jean and all the puppies whimpering.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  He couldn't remember ever being so confused. Jayden was sitting in the kitchen, a glass of milk in front of him and a pack of cookies next to it. He grabbed one and dunked it in the milk, then ate it.

  How come he felt this way? He didn't understand. He loved Robyn; he had always loved Robyn, and there was no doubt in his mind about her. But he had never met someone like Ruelle before. He had never met someone who was so perfect a match for him. It was almost scary. She was just so darn enchanting. Everything about her was, even her endearing French accent. He couldn't stop smiling when thinking about how she pronounced his name. She made it sound almost magical. No one had ever made his name sound like that before. And no one had laughed at what he said like she did. And no one beat him at shooting hoops. No one.

  But she did. Ruelle had done just that and he couldn't get her out of his mind. He ate the rest of the cookie and grabbed a new one and was about to dunk it when his dad entered the kitchen.

  He took one look at the glass and the pack, then chuckled. "Milk and cookies, huh? Is it really that bad?"

  Jayden exhaled and leaned back, cookie still in his hand. "I…" He paused. He didn't know if he could trust his father or not. Was he as much against Robyn as his mother? Or was it just a thing between the mothers?

  He decided he didn't dare to take the chance. "I just never…"

  "Met anyone quite like her before, huh? I told you she was special."

  "Yeah, I know but I never expected her actually to be like that. I mean, you're my parents, I didn't expect you to actually…"

  "Know what you want and need? Believe me, son, we know you better than you know yourself."

  "But still…"

  "You should see Ruelle's mother. Don't tell your mother this, but she is a beautiful wolf. Oh, my, she's gorgeous. Ruelle will be too once she becomes one. Now, I love your mother, so that has nothing to do with it, but dang… she's hot. If Ruelle is anything like her, then you're a very lucky man, my friend, or should I say wolf."

  Jayden forced a smile. This was exactly where Jayden wanted to get off. He liked Ruelle, and he might even be able to fall for her, but not the wolf part. He didn't like any of it. He was curious, yes, of course, he was. He often wondered what it would be like to run in the night, to hunt and to be that strong, but he wasn't sure he was going to like it. It wasn't something you could just try out and then get out again if you didn't like it. This was an all-or-nothing kind of thing.

  "Dad…I kind of don't know if I'll…"

  "Oh, my, is that cookies…and milk?"

  Jayden's mother walked in and looked at him, hands placed on her hips, a smile spreading. "That bad, huh?"

  "That's exactly what I said," his dad said. They laughed and kissed. Jayden made a grimace.

  "I’m afraid our boy has got it bad," his dad continued. They both looked at him, the same weird smile on their faces.

  "I can't blame you, son," his mother said. "She sure is something, that Ruelle. She's got it all, doesn’t she?"

  "Sure does," his father said.

  Jayden bit his lip, feeling even more confused than earlier. He hated having to disappoint his parents. Would he ever be happy if he and Robyn ran away together? He would never be able to show his face here again. They were counting on him to take over the throne as the alpha of the pack. They were counting on him so terribly that the very thought of letting them down almost hurt.

  "Well, I, for one, am thrilled for you, son," his mom said and got up. "You have a wonderful future ahead of you. You just enjoy it." Her face had gotten hairy, and the hair on her head was standing out in all directions. He looked at his father, who had claws growing out from his fingers.

  Midnight was fast approaching.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  I waited for about ten minutes to make sure they weren't coming back before sneaking out of the house. I had watched my own family fly away and, seconds later, I saw Jayden's family run into the street, turning into wolves, then disappearing toward the mountains.

  I ran across the cul-de-sac to Jayden's house, then took a few seconds to calm myself down before I rang the doorbell. He opened the door, a strangely baffled look on his face, his hair looking tousled.

  "Hi," I said, feeling very uncomfortable, scared like crazy. The look in his eyes told me he was troubled.

  He pulled me inside, grabbed me around the waist, then kissed me. It didn't feel like it usually did when he kissed me, it felt strained, forced, and a little too desperate. He even hurt me as he bit down on my lip.

  "Ouch," I said and pulled back.

  He looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I am so so sorry! I was just so happy to see you."

  "That's nice…I guess," I said and held a hand to my lip, where I was bleeding a little. I licked the blood off.

  "I'm sorry," he said again. "I got eager."

  "It's okay," I said, forcing a smile. Something was definitely off with him, and I feared that I knew what it was.

  We walked to the kitchen. I stopped.

  "Milk and cookies, huh? That bad?"

  "Why does everyone keep saying that?" he asked. "What's wrong with eating milk and cookies?"

  I shook my head. "Nothing. It's just that you usually only eat that when you're troubled about something. I’ve known you all my life, remember? I know this stuff."

  He nodded with a sigh. We sat down. He offered me a cookie and I took it. After sitting through yet another of my mother's terrible vegan gluten-free dinners, I needed some good old-fashioned sugar to keep me going. It tasted heavenly.

  "So, what's troubling you?" I asked, chewing. "Was it Ruelle? That's her name, right? Ruelle?"

  He nodded, his eyes avoiding mine. It made my heart pound. There was something different about him; something had changed. Or was I just being paranoid?

  He nodded, throwing out his hands. "It's everything, I guess. But mostly the fact that they have it all planned out for me. And I mean like everything. Every little detail of my future. Can you imagine? I don't get to make even one decision for myself. "

  I nodded, taking another bite. I knew what he meant since I was going through the same thing, but I got the sense that that wasn't all that was bothering him.

  "So, what was she like?" I asked, fearing the answer.

  "She was okay…I guess," he said.

  I looked into his eyes. They were looking away.

  "Oh, my God," I said.

&n
bsp; "What?"

  I almost choked on my cookie. "You like her."

  He looked at me. "No!"

  I nodded. "Yes, you do. You like her. I can see it in your eyes. You liked being with her."

  I felt panic spread inside me. It made my chest feel tight. I found it harder to breathe properly. My stomach started to act up too and I felt like I was going to be sick. All night, I had been scared of what was going on over at Jayden's house; all night, I had imagined him dancing happily with this gorgeous girl whom his parents wanted him to marry, forgetting everything about me. Had I been right all along? I had told myself I was just being paranoid, that everything would be all right. I had told myself it would, and now this? I could hardly bear it. Jayden was all I had. We had plans. He was my one. My one to get out of here with and away from my parents. My one to love and to hold, through thick and thin, my one to grow old and wrinkled with.

  Jayden grabbed my hand and looked into my eyes.

  "Robyn, you're the one I love. This is no different than you being with Duncan. I have always loved you and always will. You have to believe me."

  I swallowed. "But…but…"

  "No buts, Robyn. It's the truth."

  I shook my head. "Except it isn't. I hate Duncan because he's a bastard who betrayed me. You like her, and you’ve started to think about what it would be like being with her. You’re actually considering it. I know you. Jayden. You can't lie to me."

  I got up from the chair, feeling tears press from behind my eyes. I didn't want Jayden to see me like this.

  "Where are you going?" he asked.

  "I have to…I need to…"

  He got up and grabbed me by the waist, then pulled me close. His voice broke when he spoke.

  "Please, Robyn, don't run away from me now. You can't do this. We're in this together. It's us, Robyn. You and me. It always has been. I don't want to be left alone in this place with my family. I don't want to be like them. I don't want to be their stupid leader of their stupid pack. I want my own life. I want to decide for myself and not have everything planned out. I want to make mistakes and learn from them; I want to go out in the world and be like the world. I’m still human and so are you. We still have a chance. We don't have to take their plans. I say we create our own destiny."

  I looked into his deep brown eyes, tears streaming rapidly from mine, then I grabbed his face between my hands and pulled him into a kiss, one that was sincere and that contained all the desires and longings of two people who loved each other and are not at all forced.

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  I stayed in Jayden's arms till almost sunrise. We were laying on the couch when I woke up and looked at the clock. There was only an hour left till sunrise. They would all be back soon.

  Jayden blinked his eyes and looked at me. "What's going on?"

  "It's late," I said and moved his arm that was wrapped around me. "I have to get back."

  He smiled blissfully. He grabbed my hand and pulled me back down on the couch.

  "Stay a little longer."

  "I can't," I said. "They'll be back soon."

  "Please?"

  "Jayden!"

  "There is still at least an hour," he said.

  "You know perfectly well that they come home before the sun rises. They can't risk being changed while still out there. They have to make sure they're home in time."

  "Ten more minutes," he said.

  I chuckled and pulled away. "No. I won't risk it. We finally found a time when we can be together. I won't ruin it."

  I leaned down and kissed him.

  "So, we're good?" he asked.

  I nodded. "See you tonight."

  He smiled even more, and I hurried toward the door, then looked back at the still half-sleeping Jayden and smiled again, feeling lucky to have a guy like him in my life. I couldn't wait for the rest of our lives together. Without our families to stop us.

  I opened the door and went outside. It was still pitch dark out. I had time. I felt so happy inside as I walked into the cul-de-sac, thinking about Jayden and how much I loved him. I realized that we were going to have to fight for our love, for the right to be together, and that many forces, especially our parents, were going to try and keep us apart. It was going to be tough, but if anyone could, it had to be us. We were, after all, meant to be together; that's what all our friends believed. That's what we believed. It had to count for something, didn't it? Our love was so much deeper than our parents would ever understand. I was still convinced nothing could keep us apart. No Ruelle, no Duncan, no parents telling us we couldn't see one another. Nothing.

  All we had to do was to get through the next two years. It was all we had to do.

  "We can do it. We can do it and we will," I mumbled to myself. I was walking while absorbed in my own thoughts, not paying any attention to my surroundings. That was why I didn't see the wolf that had set its eyes on me from the other end of the cul-de-sac, and that was why I didn't hear it snarl, or feel his blazing red eyes staring at me, sizing me up.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  I didn't see it coming at me. I only felt it. The pain struck me from the side as it leaped down on me and slammed me into the asphalt. I screamed. The wolf snarled and swung its claw at me. I felt how it went through my torso and pierced me and blood gushed out into the street.

  "Help…HELP!" I yelled, gurgling.

  I coughed up blood, and the wolf stood above me, growling, looking down at me, its eyes ablaze.

  I managed to get onto my knees and crawl forward, looking toward my house through the red curtain that was blurring my vision. The houses in front of me were all closed up, curtains shut, and no one was anywhere in sight. I was alone, and the wolf was right next to me, staring down at me, and as I pulled myself forward, it swung its claws at me once again and struck me in the back so forcefully I flew through the air. I felt my body land on the asphalt but could hardly see anything anymore. The wolf snarled and sprang for me, then leaned forward and was about to bite down on me when I, in the fog of pain, heard something else. The growl of another wolf, a bigger one with a snarl fiercer than the first one's. The wolf on top of me was pushed away as the second wolf jumped at it and, as I struggled to remain conscious, I could hear them fighting in the distance.

  "Help…" I gurgled, looking at the houses in front of me. "Ple-a-a--se? Someone?"

  I managed to lift my head and watch them fight, then tried to pull myself toward Jayden's house, scraping my nails across the asphalt, ripping my fingers to blood. All my clothes were completely soaked, and I realized it was in my own blood.

  Worry about that later. Just get away from here. Just get away. You gotta fight, Robyn. Fight.

  The wolves clashed behind me, and I could hear one of them whimper. I looked back to see that it was the one who had helped me. The first wolf made it fly through the air and land on its back, then took a look in my direction and leaped toward me. It swung its claw at me once again and I screamed in pain as it hit my face and ripped it open, big pieces of flesh being ripped out, blood gushing.

  The second wolf was back on its feet now and rushed toward us, knocking the first wolf back, causing it to skid across the asphalt. I could no longer move and lay in a pool of blood, tasting it in my mouth, while the second wolf attacked once again. I drifted in and out of consciousness but when I opened my eyes next, I saw the second wolf fly through the air with a loud whimper and the first one run after it.

  I thought I heard Jayden scream my name and saw his shoes approach, then heard the first wolf whimper, but it could have been the second. I had no way of knowing anymore and I had no strength left to keep me awake.

  Slowly, I sunk into deep darkness, and soon I was floating in a sea of bright stars.

  Chapter Fifty

  I need to get help."

  Amy couldn't keep it together anymore. The pain in her back was too unbearable. Billie Jean was by her side, licking her face, while the puppies were all whimpering, sounding like they were
crying. Amy grabbed the leg of a chair and pulled herself up to a standing position. Then, staggering across the floor, she rushed for the door.

  Barely had she made it outside before she spotted the fighting wolves in the cul-de-sac.

  What's going on here? Is that…is that Robyn on the ground?

  "Oh, dear Lord," Amy said when she spotted the blood. The wolves were going at it, taking turns knocking each other back, snapping at each other and standing on two legs, swinging their claws at one another. It was quite the sight, if it hadn't been for the bleeding Robyn on the ground.

  Amy pushed through the pain and ran into the cul-de-sac, not worrying one bit about the wolves or whether they would come at her, running toward her friend, panting heavily as the pain tried to hold her back.

  "Robyn," she moaned. "I’m coming."

  Amy heard a scream and spotted Jayden rushing out of his house. He looked at Robyn and then ran to her, desperately screaming her name. Amy felt heartbroken and hurried up. She knelt next to Robyn, who lay lifeless on the ground in a pool of so much blood, Amy would be surprised if there was any left inside of her.

  "Oh, dear God, Amy," Jayden said, his face torn in pain and distress. "Is she…is she…"

  Amy put a finger on her throat. She searched frantically for a pulse but didn't find any. She kept moving her fingers, thinking it was just a matter of her placing them correctly.

  "Is she dead, Amy? Please, tell me!" Jayden yelled.

  "I don't know!" Amy cried. Tears were streaming across her cheeks now and running down her face. Robyn couldn't be dead. Not Robyn, of all the people in the world, not Robyn!

  "Let me feel," he said and pushed her aside.

  Jayden put his fingers on her bloody throat, crying, yelling her name, then shaking her bloody body, while Amy was about to throw up. She heard another scream and spotted Jazmine come running toward them. She too knelt next to Robyn's body, crying helplessly.