Abbie
As Merida approached the infirmary, she allowed me to shift back. It wasn't until now that I began feeling awkward from my body being exposed to everyone around me.
Ok, so... it's not uncommon for werewolves to suddenly see someone naked. It's natural, you know? Nothing morbid, in my opinion; for those mature enough, it's a natural thing at least. Of course, there are still those dumb, immature minds, or sick-minded who will see it with a morbid curiosity and perverted perception. But it's not. It's just... It's normal for us, I guess.
It only means they've probably just shifted back! Of course, usually, we are prepared with clothes to change into once we shift back to human form. Except, I was so worried about Marissa that I didn't care.
Plus, the stupid heat had started, so I was exposed to unmated wolves because my body gave out more potent pheromones. I hear a few growls as they pass, making me cover up with my hands. "Shit!" I whispered as one licked his lips and growled toward me.
His eyes fill with lust, making me growl. "If he thinks he can mate with us, he's got another thing coming. I will rip his dick off if he gets near you, Abigail," Merida says, making me agree.
He gets closer and closer, making me take a step back. "Abigail. I never thought about how beautiful you are. You have a gorgeous body, you know that?" he says as his eyes darken, making my heart race. I feel so naked; I am naked, duh! But... suddenly, I'm uncomfortable in my birth suit.
A loud growl is heard, and an enormous black Wolf knocks the guy down, making him whimper. The black Wolf snarls at him, snapping his snout down an inch close to the guy's face, making him plead for his life. "No, please, Alpha... I'm sorry. I... I... I'm sorry." he cries, making me roll my eyes.
I feel a warm blanket over me as Henry comes behind me, covering my body. "Luna. Please, come this way," he says, vowing his head.
I follow him inside the infirmary, but not without me drooling over Titus' appearance. I had never seen Titus before, but once. Hunter had been able to shift onto his wolf since he was twelve. I had seen Titus at his shifting ceremony, and just as I was awed at his sight now, I was the same way back then.
He's just as feared and glorious as he used to be, except bigger and stronger. Titus continued to look at the guy with anger, growling and exposing his canines at him, making the guy cry in fear. "Don't touch my woman. Am I making myself clear? That goes for all of you!" Titus announces, making my heart leap.
I'm angry at Hunter, I know. But Titus is his own person, and right now, I am feeling mighty proud of having him defend me. "Merida, he's so gorgeous," I say as I keep walking but cannot look away. Merida giggles, "I know. He's wonderful, isn't he?" she says, drooling over him.
"Luna Abbie. Good to see you here," the doctor greets me, making me look up at him. "I..uh, right. How... how is she?" I ask, still dumbfounded from seeing Titus.
"Well, she was badly hurt. Luckily, Miss Bailey and her mate, beta Asher, were around. He's a healer, so he offered his services. He's in there with her right now." he says, making my eyes wide in shock.
"What? Really?" I ask, making him smile. "Yes, ma'am. He won't take long. He's the best healer this region has to offer." he adds, making my eyes water.
Bailey came out of the room with a small tray in hand. There's a bowl of bloody water and gauze filled with blood, making my unshed tears fall.
"Bailey!" I call out, running and engulfing her in a hug, making her hum. "Oh, what is that for?" she says, chuckling.
"Thank you. You didn't have to help, but I'm glad to see you. Thank you so much." I say, crying. She looks at me with a smile, sighing, "Abbie, you don't have to thank me. Asher is good at what he does. I'm just glad we could be here to help her." she says as she looks inside.
His hands graze over Marissa, and I'm in awe at the energy radiating through him as he heals Marissa with his mere touch. But I can hear her agony as she cries from the pull of her bones being tugged into place. I can't bear to watch, closing my eyes and crying.
An hour later, he's finishing up bandaging her head. She's sound asleep, but I'm relieved she's doing ok. "She sl]should rest; I'm sure she'll sleep the whole night, given her Wolf is working hard to finish the healing process, but she'll be fine by tomorrow." beta Asher says, making me sigh as I sit beside her.
"Thank you for everything, beta Asher."
"Please, just call me Asher. Babe, we should go, the party will start soon. Luna Abigail, it was a pleasure to meet you." he says, vowing slightly.
I nod as he takes Bailey's hand, and they leave the room. "Abbie, I hope to see you there. She needs to rest; I think it would be best if you attended the party while she heals." Bailey suggests, making me purse my lips. "I will think about it."
"Nonsense. She will be there." Lily says as she walks in, already dressed and ready for the big day.
"Lily. I... I don't think I will. I want to be here for when she wakes up." I say, making her roll her eyes and nod in disagreement.
"Now, Abbie. You heard Asher and Bailey. She will be just fine. The guards will be around; she'll be protected. And if she wakes up, I will let them know to notify us. You have had a stressful day. It would be best if you got your mind cleared for a little. Come on, go with me to the party, will you? Hunter is expecting you." Lily says, making me sigh.
"Sorry, but I don't want to see Hunter right now, Lil," I say, looking away. Lily and them exchange concerned looks, making her purse her lips.
"I will see you guys later. I'll talk to her," she adds, hugging Bailey.
"Abbie. I know my brother can be incredibly naive at times. But I can assure you he means well."
"By well, you mean he's probably already slept with my sister, I can assure you,"
"No, Abbie. My brother might be a good-looking guy, and true... he gets women falling at his feet all the time if he's not what you think. Hunter adores you, Abbie. And believe me, I know Tara has been trying to get in his bed, and Hunter has never looked her way. Abbie, he's your mate, he loves you, I know he does. Why can't you give him a chance? You are the one who deserves to be by his side. It's what our moon goddess destined you to be. Go with me, at least for a little while, will you?" she says, placing her hand delicately on top of mine.
I sigh, dropping my shoulders. I get she should talk positively about him. He's her brother, after all. But actions speak louder than words, and right now, Hunter is not doing so well with his actions.
"Abbie," Marissa calls out to me, making my heart drop. I look back and run to her side, "Marissa!" I say, holding her hand. Her voice is horsed, and she flutters her eyes open gradually. "You should listen to Lily. I'll be fine. Have some fun. You.... You've been dying to meet the rogue King. This is your chance to meet him in person finally. Go!" she says with a staggered breath, making my tears fall freely as I squeeze her hand. I grab a glass of water, helping her take a few sips before she rests again.
"I can't leave you here all alone. I'm staying with you until you recover."
"I'm fine. I'm healing. I need to rest. Goddess, my head hurts so bad." she says shakily, making me feel miserable. I should have offered for her to join me and the rest of the girls this morning. She should have been with me instead of roaming alone.
"But, I can't...I should stay with you. The party can wait. I... I don't need to go."
"Yes. You do. It would help if you met him. And you need to talk with Hunter too,"
"The last I want is to talk to him. I'm sure he's busy with some female out there or something,"
"Abbie, I lied to you. Hunter is a good guy. He never... he never was a manwhore. I... I made it all up." she says through our mind link, making me look at her, puzzled. "What?"
"I lied to you, Abbie. I'm sorry, Tara forced me to tell you all those things. She... she wants Hunter, she always envied everything you had. She knew Hunter was madly in love with you, and when you left, she tried to sleep with him. She forced me to lie in case you ever came back." I looked at her through tears, filling my heart with mixed emotions.
"No. I... I don't believe you."
"I'm telling you the truth. I've been wanting to confess to you for so long. I told her I was going to tell you the truth, that's why she warned me that she'd kill me the next time she saw me. She promised to get rid of me and everything you ever cared for, everything you ever loved. Hunter has always stayed faithful to you. He even rejected his first mate... for you, Abbie. You mean everything to him, and it angers Tara. It angers her to know you have someone who truly loves you. You need to talk to him and accept him as your mate. You deserve to be together." she says, swelling my heart. I shut my eyes, lowered my head, and sighed.
Lily and Marissa insisted for a while until I finally gave in. But I was not returning to his room, not while feeling guilty about how I treated him. I got ready in her room, and we went to the party together.
Everyone was well dressed. The place looked so elegant that it made my jaw drop. But I couldn't help but wonder how Marissa was doing. "Look at you. You look even more beautiful, all dolled up," Lily says as she looks at me, dressed and ready.
She comes in front of me, hugging me with a sigh. "You ready? Let's go enjoy our night for a little while, shall we?" she says, making my stomach flutter.