Be Careful Who You Trust Chapter 14

Startled, I flicked my eyes open at the sound of a loud crash above me. I hadn't been sleeping but to hear something that loud over the music blaring in my ears meant it was bad. My heart jumped in my throat as I got to my feet in a rush to see what was going on. I ran towards the stairs, taking them two by two as I went.
By the time I got to the top of the stairs, a wild blonde came rushing out of Jennifer's room! She tried to run past me but I threw my arms out and football tackled her. She screeched as we both tumbled down the stairs but somehow managed to twist me over and use me as a cushion to her fall. I yelped as my head connected with the last step, a sharp sensation momentarily blinding me.
I heard her chuckle as I sat there, feeling dazed. It was enough to get some anger to get me going. Without thinking about the after effects, I swung my legs out high and grim satisfaction pulsed through me as they hit her in the back of the knees. She gasped in surprise and fell to the floor. Within seconds, I was on her back and held her in a choke hold. She struggled but to no avail. I knew how deadly this hold was and that within a minute she would be out cold. The trick was to keep her there for that long.
I grunted as her elbow connected with my stomach, leaving it churning in pain, but didn't budge. The strength the blonde possessed truly was surprising but I somehow managed to keep her where she was.
Her attempts became weaker and weaker. Even her weak was a challenge to keep hold of. I flexed my arms even more, trying to cut off her air supply completely. It would make things easier.
From what I could see, her face became red and I felt her arms go limp against my body. Although she was still, I kept holding her until I was sure she wasn't going to get up after faking. I once got out of a wrestling match with Jen by doing that. The only difference now was that my opponent was actually lethal and not playing around.
I gasped for air as I threw her down, not caring about the heavy thud that her head made against the floor. Extra measure...just in case.
I looked up to see a very surprised looking Nathan just sitting there gaping at me. I hadn't even realized he was there.
"Uh, Katie? What's wrong with you?" He asked shakily.
Confused, I took a step toward him and he hastily took a step back, puzzling me further.
"Nathan, what the hell? I'm fine." I said simply. I jumped back at the sound of my own voice. It was deep...far deeper than my normal voice. I sounded like I was growling as I spoke and it scared me.
I touched my face, half expecting to feel something else there but to my relief, it was my skin. I shuddered and a raw, cold wave pushed through my entire body starting at my feet until it felt like a rush to my head. I swayed slightly, feeling dizzy as all of it -whatever it was- left my body. I knew I was going to fall but couldn't do anything about it. I tried to put my hands in front of me to block my fall but I literally fell face first onto the floor.
"Katie!" Nathan shouted as my body hit the floor. I groaned, not feeling well as his arm wrapped me up to his chest. I could move again but I was still sluggish as my arm curled into myself, trying to protect myself from whatever just left me.
"What just happened, Nate?" I asked, my voice trembling. I knew he couldn't have heard me because I barely even whispered but he proved me wrong and just brought me closer to him. I oddly enough didn't feel very comforted by his touch. Comfort was something that I really needed. For the fiftieth time today.
"I don't know, Katie, I don't know. Just rest." He said. I knew by his voice, though, that there was something he wasn't telling me. What a surprise.
I looked up at him and glared, "Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth for once."
He glanced down at me as he lowered me to the couch but didn't answer me. I sat down but I wasn't about to let this one go. No matter how selfish I felt, I couldn't help but feel like I had a right to be pissy.
"Nathan Alexander Borden. Tell me right now." I exclaimed, not trying to hide the crack I felt in my voice. He already knew how broken I was. No use in trying to hide it now.
He sighed and sat beside me. I couldn't help but remember what had unfolded on this couch not that long ago...I mentally slapped myself, telling myself that now was NOT the time to think about that at all. I was going crazy, Nathan had answers and I wasn't about to give up an opportunity to weasel answers out of this guy. Those chances came very few and very far inbetween.
"Fine-" he shifted in his seat, almost unsure of what he had to say "-when you were fighting her, I noticed that you had way more strength than you should have. I thought it was weird but didn't really think about. I just thought you were fueling yourself with anger-"
"Which I was." I interuppted for no particular reason.
I kept my mouth shut as he shot me a look and continued, "As you threw her on the ground there at the end, I knew something was actually wrong. When you looked up at me, your eyes were enhanced to a deep gold. Kind of like..."
Seeing his hesitation, I exclaimed, "Like what?"
"Well, you looked like James when he is losing control of his wolf." He said softly. I could hear the emotion he was feeling but I couldn't bring myself to think about it. Was he saying that I was a werewolf?
"No, I'm not a werewolf, Nate. I'm human. I'm human." I whispered, mostly trying to convince myself of the fact.
"I'm gonna call James. He'll know more about this than me." He said, making a move to get his cellphone.
"No!" I yelped, jumping up and swatting his phone out of his hand. He just looked at me and I instantly felt like and idiot. Trying to cover up the real reasons I didn't want James over, I chuckled nervously and said, "I just don't want to make any assumptions until we've talked to your mentor guy about it."
"His name is Jim and he's my Guardian. And no, I need James on this one. Sorry but I'm making assumptions." He replied, apparently oblivious to how I really didn't want James here.
I whimpered and stopped. Every little thing I did, I felt like a freaking dog! I was freaking out. If I really was a werewolf, what would a vampire want with me? I mean, what was going on? I was getting sick of the constant scroll of questions that rolled around my mind on a regular basis now. So much for the saying "ignorance is bliss."
Nathan left me to go tie the blonde chick up and call James.
Mi fuego, what burdens your mind now? Zander asked me. I instantly relaxed at his mental touch. I wouldn't be able to explain it even if I tried. Just the very thought of having that connection open between us soothed me.
Everything! I exclaimed, unsure of how he would take the news.
You can be more specific. He said, his voice soft with an absurd amount of relaxation.
What would you say if I told you I might be a werewolf?
Silence was what I was met with. My knee bounced up and down as I sat on the couch, waiting on his reply. I was only slightly assured by the connection that I could sense was still open. At least he hadn't slammed the walls up as soon as I mentioned it.
WHY DID I CARE?
I would say that it would add fire to our story, mi fuego. If it be possible. He growled. I was taken by surprise until I realized he wasn't growling at me threateningly.
Now I just rolled my eyes and decided not to talk to him. I didn't close the line connecting me with him though. That was something I didn't want to do any time soon, despite my ire about it. I couldn't help what I felt in excessive dump loads. For Zander or James. Nathan? I still had no idea...
"Well, I think she's gonna be out for a while after that choke hold you gave her." Nathan stated, bringing me out of the darkness of my thoughts.
I smiled, feeling slightly proud of myself for knocking her out like that even after she'd slipped passed Nathan upstairs. For all his boasting of being a black belt karate student, I'd just kicked her ass with a choke hold that he had scorned at some point before. Supposedly, you were supposed to just squeeze their necks as tight as you could which was absolute bullshit. All you had to do was get your arm around their neck and flex your muscles. Simple as that.
"James will be over shortly," he said with a small sigh, "What's going on between you two? He seemed reluctant to come back and you didn't want him to be here either."
I stayed silent, unsure of what to say. Finally, I just sighed, "I don't know anything anymore, Nathan. Don't ask me questions when I'm like this."
He tilted my head to look at him and replied, very softly, "I need to know, Katie. I can't sit here not knowing where I stand with you. I know that we've had our differences but don't we amount to anything?"
I didn't know what to say. My emotions were freaking everywhere and I felt unstable in myself and three guys were trying to win me over. That's not the bad part. The fact that they were all succeeding was what was pissing me off. I didn't know what to think of them all! If this was a normal situation, I would just look and see who would be the best as a family man. Who I wanted to have kids with and grow old with.
But this wasn't anything close to normal. One of them was a however old vampire, another a werewolf and the other a Hunter that was meant to kill the previous.
"Well, I hate to disappoint you, Nathan, but in order for me to tell you, I have to know myself. That's the problem. You all expect me to know my answer right of the get go but I have three guys trying to win me over, Nathan. Give me some space, please." I said, surprised by my own boldness. Did I seriously just say that?
He seemed just as surprised as I did but I was glad when he finally took the hint to drop it and said, "Yeah, I guess so. Just let me know when you can."
I smiled awkwardly, suddenly wanting James to get here faster. I didn't feel comfortable being alone with him. Get me on a couch with James, yeah I'm fine! But being with Nathan in silence was just, nerve wracking.
"I'm gonna go check on her. I don't think it's very smart to leave her alone for as long as we did earlier." He uttered almost quietly enough that I couldn't hear him. I didn't say anything to reply but just sat there as he stood up and left me alone. I was ever so thankful for those few minutes of silence before the shit hit the fan.
I heard a knock on the door before it opened. Even though I wasn't anywhere near the front door, I knew it was James that walked in. My stomach proved to be more athletic than I thought as it did a backflip when he walked around the corner and made eye contact with me. He smiled but it did nothing to hide the nervous look in his eyes.
I cast my eyes down to the floor almost as soon as they met his blue ones. They were filled with so much worry it scared me. I wondered if he knew about me already? Maybe that was why he was so forward about his feelings about me.
I shook my head slightly, trying to shake the thoughts out of my head. Now was not the time to even consider that stuff right now.
Once he got to me, he nodded his head once in greeting and turned his attention to Nathan as he walked back into the room, "What's going on bud?"
Nathan sighed and pointed at me, who, under his direct attention, felt very uncomfortable, "Her. She went all werewolfy on the blonde chick and I don't know what to think about it."
James' attention shifted back to me as he asked, his tone testy, "Can you elaborate on werewolfy, please?"
I swear Nathan basically rolled his eyes at the tension between James and I. It was actually kind of annoying. He was just a big ol' Hunter, not liking the fact that I, the girl he ignored for the past five or so years, actually had male attention. If I could somehow insert a rolly eye smiley above my head, I most definitely would.
"Her eyes went all weird like yours do and she was way stronger than she should have been. Elaborated enough for you?" Nathan snapped back at him.
It was really getting on my nerves.
"What is your problem?" I asked, letting my tone tell him exactly how I felt at the moment.
His gaze snapped back at me like a snake as he almost yelled at me, "Excuse me, Katie, but my life was perfectly uncomplicated and then you decided to waltz in and make a mess of it! So, sorry for the inconveniance of my frustration!"
Startled, I took a step back as he raised his voice at me.
My surprise quickly turned to anger and I just let it out, "Well then, Nathan, let me give you back the luxury of your life and just waltz right back out of it. Thanks but I don't need to deal with your shit right now. Excuse me for not caring, but I have enought of my own shit to worry about. I don't need to hear about how you were perfectly fine without me in your life after everything we went through together. Make up your mind, Nathan."
My words were venomous and I knew that what I said threw some punch as I turned and did my best to literally waltz off. I felt stupid doing the dance by myself but hell, if I was walking out on him, I was going to do it my way.
"Katie, don't be such a prick and get back here." Nathan said, his voice stone cold.
I heard him take a step toward me and I didn't hesitate to bolt it to the front door. I could hear him closing in behind me but I just kept going. My heart slammed into my ribcage as I was being chased and as I got to the front door, I threw it open, locking it as I went and threw it shut again. I heard Nathan slam against it and the door knob rattle but I didn't stop running. The creak of the door opening again gave me new speed I didn't think I even possessed and I flew down the back alleyway.
"Katie!" I heard him scream at me. I couldn't tell what exactly he was feeling. He sounded angry but not at the same time. Ugh....why did he have to be so damn confusing?
I didn't slow down. I just kept running, not letting my tears go just yet. I'd go blind with the amount I was holding back right now. Even though I was far ahead of Nathan, I didn't want anything to slow me down to allow him to catch up.
A big, silver blur flew passed me and I screamed as James jumped in front of me in his wolf form. He was so terrifyingly beautiful. He growled slightly but it wasn't an angry growl. In all honesty, I had no idea what he wanted. Finally, as he laid down on his legs and motioned at his back with his muzzle, I clued in. He wanted me to get on. He was very much big enough to use as a ride but I didn't really want to climb on his back.
"Katie!" Nathan's voice was all too close for comfort. Startled into action, I jumped onto the towel on James' back, as awkward as it was, and he jumped to his paws. We were flying down the street. I silently thanked God that the Bordens' lived on the outskirts of town. It would probably raise some questions if someone saw me on the back of wolf.
Hell, I was asking questions.
I heard Nathan yell at James and I felt some him tense underneath me but he didn't stop. I squeezed my eyes shut against the biting wind and was almost happy about it, it would make a good excuse for the moisture escaping my eyes.
I let out a breath of relief as we made a broke into the small woods and were covered by prying eyes. It's not like we were right in the middle of town but it was still a relief not to have any worry. Unless someone was hunting, or rather poaching with the time of year it was, we would be safe from being seen.
Although we made to the trees, he didn't stop like I expected him to. He kept on running. A bit slower with all the fallen trees and roots sticking up through the ground, proving themselves to be a pain in the ass. There were a few times it freaked me out as James tripped underneath me, almost throwing me off of him. I grabbed onto his fur tightly, hoping I wasn't hurting him.
Finally, he brought me to a small opening in the trees. He stopped completely and tilted his head back at me. I got the message and slid off his back. The blanket slid off to the ground too. Why he had that with him was beyond me but I picked it up. I expected him to turn back to, well, him but he didn't. He just sat there and stared at me as I picked it up.
Slightly confused, I backed up a step, suddenly wondering if he had full control when he was in his wolf form. He just stared at me, eyes blue and glowing. Despite him obviously wanting something, I zoned out and just totally checked him out. He was huge. A normal wolf was probably only a third of his size. The fur that covered his body was black but as it came further away from hs skin, it turned a beautiful silver. His head and back were darker then the rest of his body, almost completely black with small flecks of silver here and there. His body was lean but not so lean that he was skinny and the muscle...in short, he was beautiful.
He jerked his head towards my hands, bringing me out of my daydream. He wanted the blanket? I stepped forward and put it back on his back. He snuffed out of his nose and walked away. Even more confused, just stood there and waited for him to come back. What was all that about?
I could hear him ruffling around just in the shadow of the trees but what he was doing was beyond me. Finally, he walked back out and it dawned on me what he was doing. Heat rushed to my cheeks as he walked out, only that small blanket covering his legs. His shapely abdomen was glistening with sweat and honestly, I had to tear my eyes away and throw them back up to his eyes. Of course, I knew by the smirk on his face that he knew what had really caught my eye.
"Gosh, Katie, you'd think you wanted to see me phase into my natural state." He said, grinning ear to ear.
I chuckled nervously as I replied, "Ah, I just didn't realize that...well, you know."
He smirked, "Yeah, I know, Katie."
We stood there awkwardly. Well, I found it awkward at least but who wouldn't, standing next to a guy who just proffessed his feelings for you two hours before and was now there with nothing but a blanket to cover him. Not to mention, a very small one.
"Come here," he said, walking past me and holding out his hand, "I wanna show you something."
Unsure of the situation, I took his hand and tried not to shiver with the skin to skin contact. In that, I didn't succeed. It crawled up my back and caused my shoulders to shake slightly. He must have noticed because he glanced back and just smirked. Bastard.
Where are you, mi fuego? Zander asked, his voice full of concern.
Reflexively, I threw the walls up again. I seriously didn't need any more possesive guys on my case. I still had no idea if that really worked but it seemed like it did last time so I just went with it since then.
I followed James blindly, letting him lead me and trusting him to keep me from running into any trees. The sun went down a while ago and my eyes couldn't adjust to the newfound darkness. James, however, didn't seem to be fazed by it at all.
Obviously, I scoffed to myself.
"James, where are we going?" I asked after we'd been walking aimlessly for about ten minutes.
I couldn't see him but I knew he was grinning by his reply, "You'll see. Don't worry, we'll be there soon."
I stayed silent. Something about his voice made my heart thunder against my ribs and it almost ached at the steady THROB! I seriously was trying so hard not to let him know just how excitedly nervous I was with him. I glared in his direction, silently hating him for what I was going through. Although it wasn't his fault, it was so his fault. It definitely wasn't my fault that I was attracted to his hot, sweet but arrogant self.
Uggghhhh...I was caught so bad.
He stopped, causing me to crash right into him. The warmth that eminated from the touch was comforting to say the least but also, very, very humiliating.
He chuckled and assured me, "We're here."
I looked around and was actually aware of my surroundings for the first time since we started walking. I gasped silently at the sight. It was beautiful! We stood only a few feet from the edge of the treeline and beyond that was the edge of a cliff. I let go of his hand and wandered over to the edge. When I broke free of the trees, I looked up at the sky and couldn't believe how many stars were up there. The moon though, is what really caught my attention.
It shone bright in the sky, standing out from the white stars surrounding it with it's luminescent orange lighting. It literally felt like I was in one of those professional pictures that you see everywhere. Even a great big oak on the edge of the cliff reached it's limbs towards the moon, the blackness of it contrasting against the orange.
Suddenly, I was very aware of how close James had come up behind me. I could feel his warmth and could almost feel his breath on my neck. That sent another shiver up my and I felt myself tremble slightly as his hand found my waist. I leaned back against his shoulder and let him pull me in closer. He breathed in my hair and sighed.
Oh my gosh! Was this happening? No, no it had to be a dream. This wasn't James behind me, was it?
Although I tried not to think about it, I was kind of worried his blanket would somehow come undone. That was definitely not something I needed to see at my young age and with his hands on my waist, what was holding it up?
I shook the thought away as his lips touch my the crevice between my neck and shoulder. They were warm and dry and I felt myself melt into him.
I felt him grin against my skin, "So you're a wolf eh?"
I sighed, suddenly feeling really tired, "I don't even know James. Am I?"
He took another deep breath at my neck before stating, "I don't think you are. Honestly, I don't know what you are. You smell almost like a wolf but there's something different. Something powerful runs through you, Katie, it's...it's intoxicating really."
"Well, if that ain't fine and dandy. I'm not a wolf but I had glowy eyes and super strength." I sighed deeply, not sure how I felt.
He turned me gently to face him and lifted my chin with his finger, "What's wrong Katie?"
I shook my head, not knowing how to tell him everything that was wrong with my life but I started nonetheless, "James, I'm just so tired. Everything has just fallen apart. I'm so confused by everything. Honestly, think about everything that has happened in the past week. It's crazy! Even just one of those things would have me overwhelmed and I have deal with them all at the same time," I paused and looked up into his eyes. He was watching me causing me to quickly put my head down and continue, "I feel horrible because both my parents were murdered and are dead and I don't even have time to mourn them properly. My head is filled with so many other thoughts that I can't even think about them!"
By now, tears streamed down my face and I buried it into his chest. I didn't even notice how his chest rose and fell calmly as he stroked my hair. He shushed softly several times but I couldn't stop. The world was just put on my shoulders and I needed to let some pressure go.
"Katie? I-I need to tell you something. It's won't lighten what you already have but it might at the same time. What am I saying, it won't and I hate to be the one that adds more onto you but it needs to be said." He brushed my chin up as he spoke and the sorrow in his eyes scared me. What was this now?
"Okay, I don't really want to know but go ahead." I sighed, shrugging my shoulders slightly. I almost wanted to roll my eyes but I knew that he only meant well.
"Alright, well there's no easy way of saying this so I'm just gonna say it," he said, his shoulders tensing as he spoke, "Your parents weren't actually your parents. I mean, they were but for most of your life, they have been controlled by Hell Shadows. I know you don't know what the hell they are but just trust me, Katie, they aren't creatures to meddle with."
I drew away from the safety of his arms to look into his eyes. Although I didn't expect any, there was no hint of a lie in them. They shone bright with sorrow and pain.
I didn't want to believe it but at this point, I couldn't process aything else.
"How do you know?" I asked tiredly.
"Well, this may be weird, but I could smell it on them. Ever wonder why your Mom and Dad hated the Bordens so bad? Think about it, Hunters vs. Hunted. It's typical." He answered with a sad chuckle in his voice.
"At this point James, I just want to sleep. I want to sleep and not wake up. Could you do that for me?" I asked, my voice cracking. Standing at the edge of a cliff seemed to make me want to be at the bottom of it. One little jump and my problems would be gone.
Startled out of my thoughts as a sharp pain echoed through my cheek, I looked up and James who held his hand off to the side. His eyes were filled with tears but they weren't sad tears, they were angry. A hurt, raw anger.
"How could you ask me to do something like that!? After everything we have gone through to keep you safe and help you through this, you want me to help you kill yourself? I'm sorry, Katie, but that's not something I can do. Or live with. Snap out of that way of thinking and kick ass and figure this shit out with us." He emphasized every word like it would be his last.
A wave of guilt kicked me over and I just walked to him and let his arms envelope me again. He was right.
His chest rose and fell a little unsteadily and his heart sped as I whispered in his ear, "I'm sorry, James. You're right. It was wrong of me."
He didn't voice his reply but I could take him pulling me in tighter as a good enough response. His hands wrapped around my waist and pushed me against his abdomen. I could feel the smooth ripples through my shirt and found it hard to keep my breathing steady. I was aware of ever muscle in his body and could feel him. Truly feel him as if he were my own body.
His grip loosened and I looked up to gaze in his eyes. I bit my lip subconsciously and watched as his eyes watched the movement. His gaze lingered on my lips and I heard his heart speed up. Realization hit me that he was going to kiss me!
He basically shook his head as he pulled away from me and said, "I should get you home."
Without another word, I had a giant, black wolf standing in front of me. I cleared my throat, ashamed of how I didn't care how hard he was fighting against himself and lead him on further. Hell, he had a lot more self control than I did. I was just with this guy or that guy. For shit sakes, Nathan just kissed me and I wanted him then and now I wanted James.
I climbed back onto his back and he started slowly back until we reached the other side of the woods. The street lamps lit the the town in front of us and he started towards it at a slow jog. It was a little less cold than on the way out and for that I was greatful. I didn't need a cold on top of all this shit.
The Bordens' house came up way to fast but James kept on trucking. The house gradually grew bigger and bigger as we came closer.
I was thankful for the fact that when he came to a full stop, the lights in the house were off. At least the ones I could see. I knew that nobody would be sleeping with me being out of the house but I seriously hoped I could just sneak in without answering and questions.
I slid off of James and put the blanket back on him. He disappeared around the house but returned a second later in his human form. He smiled but I noticed it was a sad, small smile.
He stepped onto the porch and said, "I'm going to call it a night," his eyes flicked up to mine and he whispered, "Good night, Katie." He leaned down and my heart jumped to my throat as his lips softly kissed my cheek.
"Good night, James. Thank you." I whispered, slightly awe struck. He turned away from me and I watched as he walked away. Breathing unsteadily, I pushed the door open and crept inside. Everything was silent. I walked silently through the dining room and prayed I could get by untl tomrrow.
That hope was shattered as I walked into the living room...Nathan, the blonde bitch, Mrs. Bordena and even Zander sat on the couches.
Great, I though to myself, Time to go meet my Maker.