Chapter Six: Close Call

Genovi:

Her chest rose up and down, machines beeping around her. White walls blinded me, my inner wolf begging for her to get better. The wolf only knocked me out, ready to rip out my throat. Horror paralyzed my body, her porcelain skin painted with blood. Large scratches tore her back apart, her pulse barely detectable. Blood had dyed her hair red, the silver antidote now pumping through her veins. She was never going to heal until the silver was out of her system, my mother rushing in. A couple of masked council members marched in, stern looks could be felt underneath their masks. What did these bastards want? Once again they were sticking their muzzles where they didn't belong, probably here to arrest her. Fury boiled in my veins, a snarl threatening to make an appearance.

"She is going on trial when she wakes up unless you prove that she was attacked." An icy female voice warned bitterly, walking over to her. Pulling back her bandages, the two masked figures in simple black robes hovered over her. Chatting to each other, they turned back to me. Claws grew from my fingers, digging into the mattress. What further truth did you fucking need? Her back was clawed to death, a hole currently in her shoulders. Rolling my eyes, enough was enough.

"She did nothing wrong!" I blurted out irritably, the council members slamming their hands down in front of me. "She was protecting me, they attacked us out of nowhere!" My mother touched my shoulder to calm me down, my hand slapping it away. I would kill them right here if they tried to drag her away, just fucking try it.

"The evidence can be read in either direction." The same voice growled in my face, rotten breath wafting up my nose. "How you treat me now is how her fate turns out!" Rising to my feet, my fingers wrapped around her collar. No sense of emotion came from her, my lips parting to speak. The tension could be cut with a knife, the machine was the only thing making noise.

"Why don't you just arrest me already?" Celly barked hotly, sitting up slowly. "They were rogues, and said that they would kill me. Take this recorder as evidence. Novi, drop her! I took a silver blade to my shoulder, fought off my sister and my mother who was in wolf form. Then the black werewolf that they brought with them ripped my back up. Thanks to the silver, I still feel everything." A growl rumbled in my throat, the council member laughing haughtily. Who the hell gave them the right to rule over us like the filthy tyrants they were? Tossing them her recorder, they pressed the play button. Her threat played out, and every time she abused her played for a couple of hours. My inner wolf howled in pain with hers, the council members energy shifting as she spoke.

"I see." The icy female groaned to herself, snapping her head in Celly's direction "You are off the hook for now, but consider this a verbal warning. Your father was a real piece of work as well, so don't turn out like him." Stomping off, she tried to laugh but it hurt. Wrapping my arms around her gingerly, her head snuggled into my arms.

"I want to go home and take a shower." She said numbly, her bravado fading away. "Can you get me out of here?" My mother shoved me away, peppering her head with feverish kisses. Damn, she never treated me that way growing up. A petrified nurse came in, my mother in mother bear mode. The two of them argued outside of the door, Celly and I watching with intense expressions on our faces. Only my mother came in, her hands were on her hips. Her dark face brightened to a sweet smile.

"She is getting the discharge papers ready." She chirped cheerfully, both of us shrinking back. "So help your fiance get ready to go. She will need help, and try not to mess with her bandages." Leaving the room once again, her blue blouse danced away as she grasped her red purse with a touch of hidden rage. Curiosity burned in my brain on how she found out, but someone must have talked at the diner. Taking out all of the needles, I placed the bandages on her hands. Untying her mint hospital gown, the sight of the bandages shattered my heart. Pulling her ripped dress over her head, she smiled tiredly in my direction. Shivers shook her body, a slight silver fever burned her cheeks. Placing my coat over her, she looked away in shame as I put her boots on. Scooping her up, she had no energy to resist me at the moment.

"I can't wait to be your bride." She sighed numbly, still a little groggy from the drugs. "How did your mother know? I am beginning to think that everyone but you hates the white wolves of the world." She hated being helpless, her face saying it all. Rage and gratitude mixed together in my head, a migraine beginning to throb. Hopping into the back of my mother's car, the vinyl protested slightly as I sat down. Resting her head on my lap, my fingers played with her snarled hair. A cute sneeze made her blush slightly, making me think of how adorable she was. Curling up into a ball, concern flashed in my eyes as blood began to bleed through the bandages. My mother snapped on the radio, the music breaking the horrid silence. Her brakes squealed to a stop in front of my clan's village, my arms scooping her up. Carrying her through my town, everyone stared at her. Ignoring them, they knew better than to ask me. My Beta Thomas rushed up next to me, looking down at the broken Celly in my arms.

"Is this her?" He queried curiously, my patience wearing thin with everyone but her. "She is so beautiful. Can I do anything to help you?" Running his hand through his short spiky black hair, his baby blue eyes glistened excitedly. Matching my height, he had a much more slender build than me. His gray shirt reeked of sweat, his sweatpants telling me that he just came back from a workout.

"I will tell you all about it, and then catch up on my work tomorrow morning. For now leave us alone." I growled through gritted teeth, him getting the message as I brushed past him. Oak logs lined the wall, emerald cabinets lined the entire kitchen. There were three stoves, my mother being a bit of a kitchen snob. All black furniture filled the house at every corner, my Gothic taste leaking in a bit. My parents moved out when my father retired to the apartment behind the restaurant, the stairs creaking as I sprinted up them. Taking her to the bathroom, the waterproof tile looked like wood, still bothering me to this day. Setting her down on the toilet, her hands reached for mine. Rubbing her forehead, her face told me that she had a migraine as well. The dress clung to her back, the thing just going straight into the trash. Unwrapping her bandages was a chore, Thomas sliding in a fresh bag of supplies in. Nausea wracked me, the gashes were deep into her muscle, blood oozing out. Putting her finger up, she collapsed to her knees. Lifting the toilet bowl up just in time, silver vomit flew up her throat. Holding her hair back, her body trembled. Resting her hands on her knees, her broken body scared me. Steam curled from the spout as water splashed into the towel, her shifting through the bag of supplies.

"None of these are going to work to heal me." She pointed out tiredly, struggling to her feet. "Do you have a medicine cabinet?" Opening the myriad of doors, her face lit up a tiny bit as she pulled out a bunch of dried herbs. Measuring out equal amounts of green leaves, she placed them in my mother's black medicine mortar and pestle. Leaning on the sink, she pounded the herbs into a fine dust, she dumped it in the bath water. The sight of her using it reminded me of my mother and her ancient medicinal skills. Helping her in, the water foamed as her wounds sealed shut. Childlike wonder brightened my eyes, it was like watching magic happen in front of me.

"I learned to do this when my parents beat me, so I didn't die." She explained with an exhausted tone, playing in the water. "Can you wash my hair and body for me? The stuff I used will essentially paralyze me for a while, making me useless. I can teach you sometime. Novi, I love you." Hearing her say it so easily melted my heart, making me want to kiss her feverishly. The suds of my shampoo floated down her breasts as I washed her hair, my dick growing hard. Telling it to go away, the wash cloth slid over her curves. Helping her out, her legs wobbled. Right she told me that she would be paralyzed for a hot minute, catching her in a dry towel. Her smell was driving me nuts, the urge to take her growing stronger. Bad boy, I told my wolf. He hid in the darkness, sulking with his tail in between his legs. Pulling out one of her black silky pajamas, she shook her head. Pointing to one of my t-shirts, she sniffed it as it slid over her head. Laying her on my black silk sheets, a sigh of relief poured from her lips. Covering her up, I passed her the television remotes. Turning to leave, her hand grabbed the sleeve of my shirt.

"Can you please sleep next to me? I feel lonely when you aren't next to me." She pleaded softly, looking like she needed me. "You can just wear a t-shirt and sweatpants if you wish." Smiling to myself, this sounded amazing. Everyday we were making progress, my dirty clothes drifting to the floor. Sliding on a basic black t-shirt and black sweatpants, I slid in next to her. Turning on the television, she picked a horror movie. Spooning her as the big spoon, my muscles relaxed the instant our bodies touched. Her fingers wrapped around mine, her sweet scent of lilacs sending my wolf into a state of bliss. The images flickered on the screen, every time she got scared her fingers gripping mine tighter. Laying on her back, her warm eyes gazed up at mine. Flipping over towards me, her trembling fingers gripping my shirt. Clutching her close to my chest, gentle snores echoed in the large room. Smelling her hair, she smelled so good. Thomas popped his head in, him stepping in. What the hell did he want!

"I am not getting up." I barked bitterly, him shrinking back slightly. "Well, spit it out. For the first time in our relationship, she chose to let me hold her. Needless to say, I am never letting go." Sitting on the edge of the bed, a deep sigh tumbled from his lips. His eyes flitted between the movie and me, choosing to turn his back.

"Okay, Rose. There is still plenty of space on the door. They want to meet the new future Luna, and kind of want to know everything about her." He spoke just loud enough for us to hear. "They have heard rumors that she killed her family." A growl thundered in my throat, how the hell did they hear about that already? Glancing over at him, a dark cloud rumbled over me.

"She had to do those things." I said in hushed tones, rolling my eyes. "They all abused her to the point of being bruised from head to toe, and I watched it all go down myself. I will stand by her until I die. They need to shove off with the bad rumors. Now please go before I rip out your throat." Scurrying off, the door slammed shut behind him. Sleep abandoned me, so I just watched her sleep. She looked so peaceful, yet delicate at the same time. Could this moment just last forever?