Beautiful Creatures Series

Aster slowly came to. She looked around to see she was somewhere in the woods. From the scent on the breeze, she was close to home, within at least fifty miles. Her heart skipped a beat when she realized she was tied up in a yellow rope found at any hardware store. She looked around to see the man Tyler warned her about sitting against a tree trunk a few feet from her.

He smiled when she looked at him. “Welcome back. I’m glad you are awake. This would have been no fun without you experiencing every single moment.”

Aster groaned as she rolled her head, trying to stretch her neck. “What kind of pansy-ass coward blindsides a woman. Were you afraid I’d kick your ass?” She mocked him.

“Aren’t you the funny one? I’ve been watching you. Every move you and your cop boyfriend make. I’ve stood outside your window at night while he fucks you.” He sneered, trying to intimidate and terrorize her.

“Did you enjoy the show? Perhaps I should charge you admission.” She hissed.

“Shut up.” He snapped, drawing a handgun from behind him. Waving the weapon in her face to scare her.

Aster laughed. “Aww, an I pressing your buttons? Yeah, I tend to do that.”

“I hold your life in my hands. So, you had best shut the fuck up.”

“No, no, you don’t.” She said smugly.

“I’m the one with the gun.” He reminded her.

Aster shrugged. “So use it. I’m telling you it isn’t going to make any difference. I’m still going to kill you.”

“How are you going to do that? You’re tied up, and I am the one with the gun.”

Aster thought for a moment. “Well, I’ll start by spilling your guts. Then I’ll tear your throat out. After that, I will rip your limbs off.” She smiled sweetly at him.

He chuckled. “I see what you are doing. Trying to act tough, thinking it might throw me off my game long enough for your boyfriend to find you. Well, he ain’t coming. He can’t protect you.”

Aster laughed. “That’s your mistake.”

“What?”

“I don’t need protecting.”

Dennis swung hard, striking Aster in the face with the pistol in his hand. She was blinded by pain and slumped over her face, turned downward, spitting blood. “Keep trying me bitch, and I’ll make you suffer more than you can imagine.” He warned.

“Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”

“That’s it,” He growled, lifting the pistol to strike her again, “not even God can save you now.”

Aster’s eyes lit up, and her fangs descended. She flexed her muscles as her body began to change, breaking the ropes like a thread. She turned to him as her features became monstrous.

“Holy mother of Christ.” Dennis gasped as he began to retreat backwards.

“Like I said. I don’t need protection.” Her clothing tore to shreds as Aster dropped to all fours and let the change consume her. Once in her wolf form, Dennis turned his gun on her and opened fire. He emptied his whole clip into her, but it didn’t even slow her down.

her jaw clamped down on Dennis’ neck with the force of a bear trap. She shook her head and tore his throat out as she had promised. As he bled out, Aster bit

She looked up and saw Tyler and Darrell a few hundred yards away. They had come looking for her. They had arrived just in time to see her ripping Dennis into pieces. The look on Tyler’s face was horrified, and he looked like he may become violently ill any second. Aster changed back to her human form. Naked, she took a few steps toward Darrell and Tyler. She was in great pain, having been shot so many times.

her side in

her to

Darrell declared. Tyler nodded, but Darrell

aid. Aster put her arms around Tayler as he swept her into his arms and

it over her nudity. He climbed into the driver’s seat. Darrell had left the keys in

quiet the whole drive. When they reached her house, Tyler got out first. He walked around to the passenger side and opened her door. Aster draped her arms around his neck as Tyler lifted her into his

to clean her up. He was having a difficult time bringing himself to look her in the eye. What he had seen had been so unexpected it

wasn’t long before there was a knock at the door. Tyler answered to find Aurora and Lewis. Lewis was carrying a large kit with him. Tyler assumed it

Aster laid flat on the bed, her blanket down around her waist. One by one, Lewis carefully dug each of the twelve bullets

morning, you will be one hundred

snarled, “she

human. We’re not weak

to mean?” Tyler challenged

her. “Thank you two for your help, but I think I need to

on you tomorrow,” Aurora promised. They left, and Tyler was finally alone with Aster once

with guilt, Tyler made to leave the room. “I’ll

Aster sat on the edge of the bed with her feet on the floor and the blanket wrapped around her. “Please stay.” He couldn’t bear to look at her. “Why won’t you

that was hard to watch.”

no choice. He was going to kill

did what you

feel differently about me now, don’t

eyes. Oh, he had made her feel as though her actions had turned him off of her. He had never wanted her to feel like he had anything but love for her. Tyler came to the bed and sat next to Aster. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to feel like that. I love you, but I feel a tremendous amount of guilt for having got you into a situation where you were forced to defend

“It happens.”

got hurt because of me. I feel

laid her hand aside his face and turned him to her. Her lips found his in a loving kiss. “It was not your

ever

you, I need

forehead against hers. “Yeah, I believe you now.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll

***

wounds were completely healed and

and then dressed. As she reached the kitchen, she found Tyler. He looked shocked to her up and

“I’m fine.”

were shot twelve

Tyler walked

He returned to the stack of pancakes. Prepping two plates, he placed them

for them to come in. She could smell Darrell from here. Moments later, Darrell came into the kitchen. He

“I am.”

you like some pancakes?” Tyler offered.

said, pulling up a chair. Tyler prepped the third plate and placed it in front of