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.

his internals became external. Next, 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 down on each limb

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

and Darrell were by her side in

get her to a hospital,” Tyler

the outside world knows, this never happened.” Darrell

off running to fetch aid. Aster put her arms around

bed of the truck and draped it over her nudity. He climbed into the driver’s seat. Darrell had left the keys in the ignition. Aster leaned her head

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 arms and carried her bleeding into the house.

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 so unexpected it had shaken him right to the core. He felt guilty. Dennis would not have

was carrying a large kit with him. Tyler assumed it

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

will be one

snarled, “she had twelve bullet holes in

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

supposed to

around her.

promised. They left, and Tyler was finally

silence for a moment. Consumed with guilt, Tyler made to leave the room. “I’ll

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 you to see what I did. I get it has probably

hard to watch.”

had no choice. He was going

what you had to

differently about me now,

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

“It happens.”

shouldn’t have. You got hurt because of me. I feel

his in a loving kiss. “It was not your fault he was

ever forgive me

“I told you, I

“Yeah, I believe you now.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll make dinner. You

***

over her now flawless skin. The wounds were completely healed and had left no scars. Rapid healing was one of the perks of being a Lycan. It was what made them so difficult to kill, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like

reached the kitchen, she found Tyler. He looked shocked to her up and moving around already. “You should be

“I’m fine.”

were shot twelve

She said, lifting 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

the table then.” He said. He returned to the stack of pancakes. Prepping two plates, he placed them on the table when

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

“I am.”

you like some

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