SWNOVELS Chapter 3 Part 2 When Past & Present Collide
I stand next to Paisley’s crib, holding the note in my hand. “I'm watching you,” I mutter the words. "Who could this be from,” I think to myself. As my eyes search the darkness, I only find silence and emptiness. At this point, fear doesn't cross my mind. Nothing surprises me anymore. I wander over to the bed with Paisley’s plush blanket pressed securely against my chest and the note still in hand. My energy is drained, so I couldn't resist plopping myself back against the unmade gray cotton sheets.
I stare up into the white popcorn ceiling, releasing a sigh, still holding Paisley's blanket tight in my grasp. My eyelids grow heavy and I find myself taking deep breaths. The fresh scent of wood and musk fills my nostrils. “I know that smell,” I bolt upright on the bed. “There is no way," I think in disbelief. My thoughts are put on hold when I hear a scraping noise against the closet wall. I stand, quickly darting my eyes around the room in search of a weapon, but I'm shit out of luck.
As I creep towards the closest door, stopping inches away. “Who's there,” I shout with my hand slowly reaching for the knob. “C'mon, Chloe. Just freaking open it already,” I thought, scolding myself for hesitating. Finally, I build up the courage and yank the doors open. “Come out you bastard,” I shout, blindly throwing my hands in all directions.
My fist makes contact with a rough and scratchy face. I don't stop. I continue to throw punches, but suddenly a hand grabs my wrist. I use my other hand to slap the person across the face but am knocked off balance when the person moves forward out of the closet, the light from the moon illuminating his face.
Malachi’s scruffy face stares deep into me and I gasp at the sight, my eyes growing round with surprise. "How," I say, barely a shaky whisper. “Why do you stay with this man? Do you love him,” he asks with no emotion. I'm too distracted by his presence, as my eyes take in his form. I notice there is something different about him. He seems empty, but after realizing what he asked me I stare into his eyes. “What? I could never love anyone but you,” I profess, reaching out to caress his face.
I pang of hurt shoots through me when Malachi turns his head away, and I am left dumbfounded. “You don't believe me,” I state, stepping away from him. Malachi’s eyes narrow, full of judgment, which answers my question. “You can't tell me you have spent the last six months with this strange man and haven't fallen for him. You thought I was dead,” he growls. “You don't know me then,” I retort, turning to walk away from him. Malachi reaches for my arm and spins me back around to face him. “Why would you wait for me if I was dead,” he questions, searching my features.
I stare at him, annoyed that he would even think I could love someone other than him. My heart aches at just the thought. “After everything we've been through, you really think I could love someone else,” I ask, not hiding the hurt in my voice. “If you thought I loved him, why are you here,” I ask, then I feel the note still in my hand. “Is this note from you,” I ask, shoving the note in his face. Malachi grabs the note from my hand. “Yes, I wrote it. I have been here watching you for months, wracking my brain with all the reasons why you would stop trying to escape,” he says, ripping the paper into pieces before dropping it to the floor. I give Malachi an agitated look as I bend over, picking up the little pieces. “Have you forgotten that I am in a coven of witches? They put a spell on me, since the first escape where they shot you. I've tried every day, but I can't leave, and I have not let that man touch me once,” I defend, my voice strong with the truth.
My agitation grows the longer Malachi keeps his gaze on me. “Where is my daughter,” he asks, folding his arms across his chest. My blood is now boiling at this man. I cannot believe he’s acting as if I am to blame here. “I did what any good mother would do. I saved her from this hell,” I answer, irritation thick in my tone. “Sukie has her safe until she can break the spell,” I clarify.
I turn away from him, walking into the kitchen. I can feel his presence silently following behind me, which pushes me over the edge. “It seems you have made up your mind about all this,” I say, motioning to the house. “I think it would be best if you left before they pick up on your scent, “I say, holding every emotion I have, which is hard because it feels like a rocket ready to burst into space.
I watch his brow lift at my dismissal. “You want me to leave? Okay, just one question. Why have you not torn their throats out,” he asks, walking towards me, backing me against the wall. My breath hitches in my throat as he places his arm above my head, his tall form towering over me. “I told you. It's a witch coven. They made a potion to keep my wolf away,” I explain, my attention pulled to his chiseled bicep.
My stomach swarms with butterflies and I can feel my temperature boiling inside me, like water on
the stovetop. “Six months without his touch, and now he is standing right in front of me. So sexy
and so sculpted,” I think, biting my lower lip while my eyes rake over his toned torso, his tight shirt
accentuating every chiseled line.
Malachi places his other hand on the wall, leaning his head down to be eye level with me. “You sure you want me to leave? Your face and your scent say otherwise,” he says, grinning wolfishly. I roll my eyes at his ego causing him to grab my chin aggressively. I hold my breath once more when he brings his lips inches away from mine. “I can't take it anymore,” I think, jumping into his arms Malachi catches me effortlessly and I wrap my legs around his waist. “Take me now, wolfman,” I say seductively.
He's quick to carry me to the bed, placing me down softly before pressing his manhood into my lady parts. “Ohh,” I moan softly in his ear. I can already feel my panties getting wet with anticipation I trail my hands along his torso to the hem of his shirt, wasting no time in pulling it over his head. I freeze when my eyes fall onto the scar from the bullet. “I'm sorry,” I speak softly. “I wish I could have saved you from this pain,” I say as my eyes fill up with tears.
My finger slowly glided across his scar. “The pain was all worth it to see your face again,” Malachi declares, cupping my face with his large palm. I smile, closing my eyes and pressing my cheek further into his touch. “I love you, Malachi,” I profess, opening my eyes to see him looking at me with admiration. I bring my hand around his neck, pulling him to my lips. When they finally meet, it's like the rocket finally burst.
Malachi reaches for my hips, finding the top of my pants, and pulls them off with ease. Then, he proceeds to my top, taking it off quickly. His eyes light up like the Olympic Torch as they linger on my pierced nipples. “You like what you see, Alpha,” I whisper. He brings his gaze up meeting my eyes, but instead of the affectionate look from before, his stare turned to hatred. It was as if he was looking at his worst enemy.
My body tenses with uncertainty. “Malachi, what's wrong,” I ask, alarmed. He opens his mouth to speak, but blood gushes out in place of words. I quickly move away from him, my hands now covered in his blood. “Malachi,” I shout frantically. He lips his head and I jump back as Malachi shifts onto his wolf. Blood drips from his razor-sharp teeth, and his eyes glowing red. He lets out a deep growl, and all I can do is scream.
"AAAHHH!I"..