Beauties and Beasts

by Jenna Aileen

  “Please don’t call me that…” I whispered, covering my face again. I hated when Vladimir called me that. I was not his sweetheart. It made me shudder just thinking about him.

  “It’s alright, Kathryn, Locke’s not going to hurt you; he just wants to make sure you’re okay. He’s a doctor.”

  I shook my head vigorously.

  “Where’s Valko, he’s a doctor…”

  “He’s outside—”

  “I want Valko,” I said, scooting away from Ryan and the doctor guy.

  “Kathryn, he’s a werewolf—”

  “I don’t care! I know he’s not going to hurt me.” I rested my chin on top of my knees and glared at them.

  “This is Locke, he’s a very good friend of mine and dad’s. He would never—”

  “I don’t know him at all. Please, Ryan, just let me see Valko.”

  The frustration was clear on his face as he sent Locke to get Valko, who was only dressed in a pair of basketball shorts when he came in. I guess that was all that he had time to throw on since his clothes had ripped when he transformed.

  “What’s wrong?” Valko asked, walking over to me.

  “I can’t…I don’t want…” I shook my head vigorously. “Don’t let him touch me,” I mumbled, glancing over at Ryan’s pained expression. I felt bad for suddenly freaking out and not trusting him, but I didn’t want that Locke guy touching me. I blacked out again, but it wasn’t for very long. My eyes opened as Valko placed me on the bed. The room resembled a hospital room, and I was confused for a moment.

  “Are we in the hospital?”

  “No. Did he claw your stomach again?” Valko asked as he gingerly lifted my blood stained shirt.

  “My back too,” I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

  “How long ago?”

  “Right before he chained me up downstairs. He completely shifted, he was so angry,”

  Valko nodded his head and pulled my tank top up to reveal the bloody gashes.

  “They’re deeper than the other ones were, this must’ve been all wolf...” He glanced over at the clock. “You’re going to need stitches. I’ll be right back.”

  I watched him quietly ask Ryan something, and then Ryan got really upset. He came marching over and I quickly covered my bloody and scarred stomach.

  “What happened—”

  “I’m fine, Ryan, I just need stitches—”

  “What happened?”

  I huffed and glared at him. “Vladimir clawed my stomach before we escaped. I just need Valko to stitch it up.” “Alright.” He sat down next to me and held my hand.

  “You don’t need to stay here with me, Ry. I’ll be fine,” I said, shifting around uncomfortably.

  “Kathryn…what are you hiding?”

  As always, my older brother knew everything. I swear he had psychic powers or something.

  “I’m not hiding anything,” I lied. “I just…don’t…want you to see my stomach…”

  “Kathryn, it’s not like—”

  “Please, Ryan, just…please.”

  “Alright, alright—I’ll go stand over here. But I’m not going to leave the room. I love you, sis.” He gave my hand one final squeeze before getting up and walking away. I hated to be such a nudge. It was so good to see him again; I just wished that we had reunited under different circumstances.

  Valko came in just as Ryan sat down in one of the chairs across the room. I hoped from there, that he couldn’t see the full extent of the wounds.

  “Alright, this’ll probably sting a little,” Valko said, wiping the blood away and cleaning the cuts out with something. I inhaled sharply.

  “Just a little,” I replied through gritted teeth.

  “Sorry, love.”

  “I’m fine. Pretty much used to it by now,” I chuckled mirthlessly.

  “That’s not funny,” Valko said, sticking my stomach with the needle and making a nice, straight stitch. I winced as he stitched the three big gashes in my stomach. The ones on my back seemed to hurt even more. Valko said it was perhaps because there were wounds other than the ones I had gotten today that were still healing.

  “Do you think they—the scars will ever, you know, go away?” I asked in a hushed voice.

  “They’ll fade, if you give ‘em time. But you will probably always have them.”

  I just nodded my head and put my shirt back on.

  “Thanks, Valko,” I replied, giving him a hug.

  “Here, I’ll get you some pain meds,” he said after pulling away. I nodded and lay back. Ryan came back over and gave me a hug. I couldn’t help tensing up a little.

  It’s alright, Kathryn, it’s just your brother. He’s not going to hurt you. I told myself, trying to relax and calm down.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. I nodded and started to stand.

  “No, no, no—you stay right here. I’ll bring you something to eat, alright?”

  “I am perfectly capable of getting my own food,” I said. All the blood rushed to my head and I almost passed out again. Ryan caught me before I fell to the ground.

  “Exactly my point,” he muttered as I sat down on the bed.

  “Alright. I’ll eat anything as long as it isn’t rabbit meat,” I said, laying back.

  “Okay, I’ll be right back,” he replied, getting up.

  I sighed once he was out of the room. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and suddenly, I was back there. Running for my life with Vladimir chasing me, half in wolf form.

  “No, please no,” I whispered, opening my eyes. The room was spinning and my stomach churned. I felt like I was going to puke.

  I closed my eyes and drew my knees to my chest, slowly rocking myself. The memories flashed before my eyes, one by one, causing the scars and wounds to burn as if they were on fire. I heard someone calling my name, but it seemed so distant. The sound of glass shattering pulled me out of my déjà vu and back into reality. I looked up and Ryan was next to me on the bed looking extremely worried.

  “Kathryn, what happened? Are you alright?”

  I nodded my head. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just got a little light- headed. I’m pretty dehydrated—I haven’t had anything to drink today.”

  “I dropped your water, sorry. Here, eat this and I’ll get you some more.”

  He handed me a plate with a turkey sandwich with Swiss cheese, spinach, and mayo on it. I shoved half of it in my mouth at one time.

  “I’ll get you another sandwich…or four.”

  “Yes please,” I said with my mouth full. Not knowing how understandable I was, I held up four fingers. Ryan seemed to get what I was trying to say. He left with a chuckle and a shake of his head. I think I finished the sandwich in three big bites.

  Valko came back and handed me three pills right as Ryan walked in with three water bottles and—as promised—four more turkey sandwiches.

  “Eat slowly, Kathryn, or you’re going to throw it all up,” Valko cautioned as I wolfed down the second sandwich. “You probably should drink some—”

  I grabbed a water bottle and sucked it down in two gulps.

  “Water,” he finished. “Here, take these.”

  I gratefully swallowed the pills and ate one of the other sandwiches. After that one, they started to catch up with me. I sat back, queasy and a little mad that I couldn’t eat the other sandwich.

  “Thanks,” I said with a satisfied sigh.

  “You should get some rest,” Valko said, standing to leave.

  “You should probably leave before my dad gets back,” Ryan said, standing up as well. Valko just smiled and nodded.

  “You’re right, I should.”

  “I don’t want you to leave,” I said, on the verge of hysteria. It was nice having someone with me who was there through it all. Valko knew and understood what I had been through, and I wasn’t about to go and proclaim to the world all of the terrors that had happened while I was with the monstrous wolf men.

  “Please don’t go,” I begged, throwing my arms around hi
s neck, fighting back tears.

  “Shh, it’s alright.”

  “If Vladimir finds you he’ll—”

  “Don’t worry about me. Vladimir can’t get to any of us now, alright? You just worry about you.” He wiped the tears out of my eyes and then squeezed me tightly one more time. “I’ll stick around a little while, just out of sight. I’ll be here for you if you need me, just call my name,” he whispered in my ear, his voice barely audible. I nodded my head and he pulled away.

  “Thank you for helping her,” Ryan said, his voice having a hint of distaste. Valko shook his hand and left.

  “He’s the pack doctor,” I whispered to Ryan, staring at the picture on the wall across from me. Ry slowly sat down on the bed next to me. “He helped Conan escape and come find me when Vladimir—”

  “When Vladimir what?”

  “When he lost control.”

  Ryan started to ask more questions but I just shook my head and laid down. I heard him sigh but was thankful that he didn’t push me to tell him anything. I fell asleep only seconds after closing my eyes.

  *~*~*

  “Where is she? Where’s my Kathryn?” I heard my father’s deep voice call. I looked up and there he stood in the doorway looking bruised and beaten with blood on his hands and clothing.

  “Daddy,” I whispered, tearing up again. He came running over and picked me up off of the bed, squeezing me tightly. I immediately tensed up, my heart racing as the memories threatened to come back. I took a deep breath and swallowed, trying to force them away. He still smelled the same—fresh deodorant mixed with musky sweat. He kissed my cheek and I felt and saw the tears on his face as he stroked my hair. I tried hard to hide the bitterness I felt.

  As glad as I was to see my dad again, there was still that sense of abandonment that I felt. I tried hard to shove those feelings aside when I saw the tears in his eyes. He knew what I was feeling; I could see it in his face.

  “Oh, Kathy baby, I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice choking up a little.

  “It’s okay, daddy.”

  “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too. I’ve missed you.”

  There was so much I wanted to ask him—so many things I didn’t understand—but I was completely lost in the moment. I felt like it was just me and my dad right then. He pulled away and held me at arm’s length, studying my face and stroking my hair softly.

  “You’ve grown so much.”

  “Well, I was only ten years old last time I saw you.”

  “Twelve.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Are you hurt?” he asked, concerned as he looked over me.

  “No, I’m fine.”

  “Is that your blood?”

  “Yes, but I’m fine.” I tried to smile for him, but I think it came out as more of a grimace.

  “Oh, Kathryn, I am never letting you out of my sight,” he said, his voice cracking as he hugged me tightly again. I stiffened even more this time from the unexpected body contact.

  It’s just dad, Kathryn, calm down. He’s not going to hurt you. You’re fine. I told this to myself over and over as I did my best to calm myself down.

  “You might have to, dad, I think we both could use showers,” I said, trying to lighten the mood and make the awkwardness go away. He chuckled a little and let me go.

  “Oh, baby, did they hurt you? What happened?”

  Thankfully, he was interrupted and I didn’t have to answer his question right then.

  “Kathryn!” I heard Abel say. There he stood, tall and handsome as ever—his chocolate brown hair wet and messy from the snow. He gave me a small smile that looked almost shy. His appearance was disheveled, but his eyes were bright and filled with love as they stared back into mine. I was filled with so much emotion. I wanted to run to him, throw my arms around his neck and kiss him. Yet at the same time, a little part of me was afraid.

  I gave myself a mental slap. Abel would never treat me like that; he was nothing like Vladimir. I hesitantly walked over to him and he wrapped his strong arms around me, pulling me into a hug. At sixfeet tall, he really wasn’t that much taller than I was; but I felt even smaller and frailer since I had last seen him.

  “Oh Kathryn, I missed you so much,” he whispered into my hair.

  “I missed you too, Abel.”

  My body was still shaking, but I couldn’t help it. There was so much to take in—so many different feelings and memories running through my mind—this was going to take a while to process.

  I looked up and gazed into Abel’s deep brown eyes and just got completely lost. Everything around us just seemed to disappear…until my dad cleared his throat and brought me back down to earth. I stepped away from Abel, my face feeling a little hot.

  “Are you hurt?” I asked, noticing the blood splattered on his clothing and skin.

  “No, I’m fine. I’m so sorry, Kathryn—this is all my fault, I should have—”

  “Don’t even go there, Abel; don’t even start.” I said, covering his mouth with my hand. “It’s not your fault okay? I don’t blame you at all.”

  “I’m just so glad you’re safe now,” he grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. I tensed up again and took a deep, shaky breath. It was so weird to think that I was safe now. At least I hoped I was.

  “I missed you,” Abel whispered to me. Those words melted my aching heart. It felt so good to have his arms around me.

  Tears threatened to fall as I inhaled his familiar scent. What killed me even more was that I knew deep down that we could never be in a serious relationship. Ever. If he ever got hurt because of me, I would never be able to forgive myself.

  “I would like to take a shower now. Where are

  the…um…showers?” I mumbled, after pulling away from Abel. I felt bad for being so on edge, but I was still in complete shock. I half expected to close my eyes and wake up back with Vladimir.

  “There’s a bathroom down the hall to the left.” My dad said. He didn’t sound angry…I just hoped he wasn’t going to kill Abel while I was gone. I nodded my head and set off down the hall.

  I was still feeling pretty weak and light-headed but determined to make myself more presentable. I had avoided looking in the mirror the past few weeks, afraid of what I’d see. I locked the door and took a quick glance and was pretty horrified at the disgusting creepy little person that was staring back at me. I looked so skinny. Well, for me I was skinny. I had been pretty muscular before I had left, and I had always had curves—though I wasn’t fat per se.

  I threw the large flannel button-down on the floor and slowly lifted my torn and blood stained tank top to reveal my stitched up wounds and scars. The reddish streaks with neat, black thread stuck out on the sea of white and pink scars that covered my abdomen, from below my belly button to just under my boobs. The worst of the scars, though, was the one on my shoulder from him biting me. It tingled and burned every time he touched my body, or even if someone else just brushed against it. I had freaked out when I realized he had bitten me, but Valko promised me that I wouldn’t turn into a werewolf since I wasn’t bitten during a full moon. It still hurt like hell.

  I angrily ripped the rest of my clothes off, not even daring to try and see the scars on my back. The water scalded my skin, but I didn’t care. I wanted the pain. I was so angry with myself. It was the only thing I could control.

  Tears fell down my face and mixed with the water. The soap stung my wounds and I scrubbed my body hard, despite the bruises that covered me.

  My skin was bright pink and radiating heat when I stepped out. There was a knock at the door, and I heard my dad call my name.

  “Kathy baby, I have some clothes for you here. I’ll leave them outside the door okay?”

  “Alright, thanks, dad,” I shouted back, wiping the foggy mirror down. I looked through all the cabinets until I found an unused toothbrush and new stick of deodorant. I used them generously before cracking the door open just enough for me to stick my arm out to grab
the pile of clothing my dad had left for me. I had no idea where he had gotten the clean women’s underwear, but I really didn’t feel like asking.

  I sighed, trying to cope with the mix of emotions that flooded through me. This was harder than I thought it would be—reuniting with my dad—was something I had dreamed about since the day he left. But that was ten years ago. Now things were awkward to say the least. I wasn’t a little girl anymore. I had spent my whole life learning how to fend for myself. It wasn’t going to be easy having someone step in and try to take care of me.

  Chapter Thirty-Six, Abel

  She looked so…different. I opened up my arms and let her come to me. Relief flooded through me as I held her. Now she looked so delicate, and breakable, and she felt so small.

  Aidan cleared his throat and it was my turn to tense up. He had allowed me to tag along because I told him that there was nothing going on between Kathryn and I. There went that story.

  She gave me a small smile, then left to go shower, leaving me alone in the room with her dad and brother. Ryan knew of my feelings for her and I knew Aidan probably figured it out too, and had just chosen to turn a blind eye to it. In the blink of an eye, Aidan had grabbed me by my shirt and slammed me up against the wall.

  “Now you listen, and you listen good. I just got my daughter back, and I won’t have you going and stealing her away from me. She is in a very fragile emotional state right now, and I swear to God if you take advantage of her in any way I will ensure that you are never able to have children. You understand what I'm getting at?” His voice was low and threatening.

  I may have youth, and height on my side, but Aidan scared the crap out of me. I gulped and quickly nodded my head. “Yes sir,” I replied.

  He grunted and let me go. Aidan stalked out of the room,

  leaving me standing there with Ryan, who had a very amused look on his face. “He must like you a lot, seeing as he hasn’t threatened your manhood until now.”

  “Very funny.”

  “I’m serious, man. When we were little he used to tell Kathryn she wasn’t allowed to date until she was forty-two.”