Beautiful Creatures Series

Aurora walked up to the door of the large mountain cabin just outside Feral. Stanton had dropped her off at Gordon’s on his way to work that morning. She lifted her hand to knock on the door when she heard something break on the other side of the door, and a woman shriek. “You crazy bitch!” She heard Gordon bark back, and then the sound of something hitting the door made Aurora jump.

“Don’t call me a bitch, you Asshole!” A woman growled back.

“Ok, raving psychotic fits better.”

“It amazes me that you have managed to hold this pack together; God knows you have shit for brains.”

“I must, after all, I married your skanky ass,” again, something hit the door, and Aurora jumped. She heard Gordon laugh. “Your aim sucks.”

There was a growl, and then something really heavy hit the door, and Aurora took a few steps away from the door. She could hear physical fighting on the other side of the door. Then everything went quiet. Aurora didn’t know what to do. Should she knock or start the walk back to Stanton’s cabin and just avoid the whole situation.

Suddenly the door opened, and Gordon stormed out and stopped short when his gaze met hers. He had a black eye and cracked lips that were rapidly healing before her eyes. She down to see his hand over his chest. There were four deep bloody gashes in his chest that had torn his shirt. They looked like they hurt, but they were already starting to heal.

Aurora looked up, and she saw both shame and embarrassment in his bright eyes. He cast his eyes down, unable to look at her. He then marched down the porch, steps down to a Harley parked in the driveway. He pulled the helmet that had been on the seat down over his head and revved up the bike. Aurora watched as he drove away, having never said one look to her.

Aurora turned to face the door to find his wife standing in the door, watching Aurora. For a mutual fight, this woman looked unscratched, and Aurora was starting to think while the yelling was mutual, the combat had been one-sided. Aurora had seen enough bad situations to be able to spot domestic violence. Gordon was a battered husband.

Melissa leaned against the doorjamb and glared at Aurora. “You got a problem, missy?” Aurora shook her head no. “What do you want?”

“Um… your husband… I’m Gordon….”

“Yeah, I know who my husband is,” Melissa snapped.

“You know what? This is clearly a bad time. I should come back.”

“Spit it out already?”

“Gordon said you could help me find my place in the pack?” Aurora said quickly.

Melissa rolled her eyes. “Alright, come inside,” she said, going back into the house. Aurora went inside and looked around at the broken glass on the floor. “Watch your step,” Melissa said as she walked over to a laptop on the kitchen island. She sat down on a barstool and began to bring up some kind of schedule. She looked thoughtful and clicked the mouse function a few times. “What are you thinking?”

“Nothing,” Aurora said quickly, and then Melissa looked at her like she had lost her mind.

“Doing? What were you thinking about doing?” Melissa clarified, and Aurora felt stupid. “Seems like all that peroxide has seeped into your brains,” the older woman scowled. Aurora’s jaw dropped. She could not believe this bitch had just said that to her.

“For your information, my hair is naturally this colour.”

rolled her eyes. “Are

people. “I was hoping for something with a little fewer

the screen. “The community garden needs a hand. It’s just north of Feral. You can’t miss it.

“Community garden?”

bring the wild meat to Lewis’ butcher shop. He cuts it all up, and the meat gets distributed among the pack. We also keep a community garden. It’s all organic. Come harvest time. We do the same with the vegetables and fruits. They can and prickly half of it so it lasts through the winter and then the other half we keep fresh.

work in the

something on a posted then handed it to her. “There are directions to the garden. Welcome to

out the door when Melissa slammed it, and wood hit Aurora in the bottom. Aurora shook her head as she stepped down off

***

tending the garden, weeding and watering. Aurora introduced herself and offered her help. They seemed happy to have it telling her

few feet away from the break tables and water. Aurora watched as Gordon got off and removed his helmet, placing

stand before her and offered her an awkward smile. “How’s your first

thank you,” there was tension between them. “How

closer to her and waved at one of the other girls before lowering his voice and stepping in so close to her so that he didn’t have to whisper very loud. After all, the other women had super hearing, and he didn’t want anyone to hear what he was about to say. “About

but one of the other women walked over and picked up a bottle of water and Aurora said nothing, but she nervously brushed

hello,” Gordon greeted her.

stood around and bragged about her babies, and Gordon was all smiles and charismatic like he had been at the picnic yesterday. They talked and laughed, and then Gordon excused himself, and he took Aurora by the arm and lead her to his

business but my

her hit you? Look at you. You're big and strong.

at his hands, which were now fidgeting. “It’s complicated,” he

her back. Defend

never ever any reason that justified hitting a woman.

“Then leave her.”

do

“Why?”

So, do we,” Gordon reached up and lay his hand gently to the side of her face.

“Gordon…”

the sound of a slamming car door drew their attention. Both Gordon and Aurora looked over to see Stanton standing by his SUV a few feet away with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. He was watching them with a scowl. Aurora knew how it looked. Gordon let go of her and took a step back. He returned his attention to Aurora with a pleading look. Neither of them said another word, and then Gordon got on his bike, pulled on his helmet, and drove

stopped when he tossed the flowers on the ground, got back in his SUV, and drove

***

his garage, sorting through his tools and tidying up. He had taken the afternoon off so he could get some things done in town. He had gone to see if Aurora needed a ride home when he found her with Gordon. The image of Gordon touching her intimately stuck in his brain, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He heard the sound of gravel crushing beneath shoes behind him, and

heard her say, and then he tensed when he felt her hand at his back. Stanton pulled away and began to use the rag to

“Fine.”