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 claws across his belly, slicing so deep his internals became external. Next, her jaw clamped down on Dennis’ neck with the force of a bear trap. She shook her head

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.

were by her side in a flash.

have to get her to a hospital,” Tyler said.

As far as the outside world knows, this never happened.” Darrell declared. Tyler nodded, but Darrell grabbed him before he could pick Aster up. “Say it… this never happened. This is a defining moment, Tyler. You are either one of us or one of them. Part of the pack, or an outsider. You can’t have it both ways. Protect the pack, or die like any other

was watching him. “I’m part of the pack.” He declared. Darrel turned into a wolf and took off running to fetch aid. Aster put her arms around Tayler as he swept her

tarp from the bed of the truck and draped it over her nudity. He climbed into the

arms around his neck as Tyler lifted her into his arms and carried her bleeding into the house. He took her to the bedroom and laid her down. Taking the tarp and tossing it on the floor, he covered her with a blanket

the house door. He gathered some rags and water then returned to Aster, where he proceeded to clean her up. He was having a difficult time bringing himself to look her in the eye. What he had seen had been

was carrying a large kit with him. Tyler assumed it made sense. Being a butcher, Lewis had a keen grasp of anatomy, which probably made him the closest thing to a qualified surgeon that

of removing the bullets. Aster laid flat on the bed, her blanket down around her waist. One by

good.” Lewis smiled. “By morning, you will be one hundred percent.”

percent?” Tyler snarled, “she had twelve bullet

“She’s Lycan, not human. We’re not weak like you.” Lewis scoffed as

to mean?”

she pulled the blanket up around her. “Thank

in on you tomorrow,” Aurora promised. They left,

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

and the blanket wrapped around her. “Please stay.” He couldn’t bear to look at her. “Why won’t you look at me?” He couldn’t answer her. “I never meant for

that was hard to watch.” He

no choice. He was

know. You did what

about

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

“It happens.”

have. You got hurt

turned him to her. Her lips found his in a loving kiss. “It was not your fault he was a madman. You

Aster’s neck. “Can you ever forgive me for not protecting you

“I told you, I need protecting.”

he laid his forehead against hers. “Yeah, I believe you now.” He kissed her cheek.

***

next morning Aster woke to the smell of pancakes. She rolled out of bed and walked into the washroom. Aster stood in front of the mirror, running her hands over her now flawless skin. The wounds were completely healed and had left no scars. Rapid healing was one of the

she reached the kitchen, she found Tyler. He looked shocked to her up and moving

“I’m fine.”

shot

her shirt so he could see she had healed. Surprised, Tyler walked over and ran his hand over her body like he couldn’t believe his eyes.

are eating at the table then.” He said. He returned to the stack

smell Darrell from here. Moments later, Darrell came into the kitchen. He smiled when he saw Aster up

“I am.”

you like some

prepped the third plate and placed it in