Chapter 2 Loving the beast
Arabella walked wearily as she got closer to the house. She feared her father so much. Bennett Javernick wasn’t such a brutal man until he lost his wife when Arabella was ten and since then he resolved into drinking which marked the beginning of misery for his daughter.
Bennett would come home throw things at her and beat her when he got the chance to. Neighbors do not try to interfere knowing how violent he could become when they do, they only reach out to her when he is nowhere near and help nurse her wounds. She had been planning on eloping to her only relative alive, her mother’s sister in Pennsylvania until when she met Liam. Bella smiled at the memory.
She had heard of people talk about the mysterious young man who lived in the woods alone because he was a beast. Secretly, Arabella wished she could meet him and find out if truly he was what they claim him to be. She met him one of the nights her father went really overboard. Bennett had thrown a bottle at her which hit her head, he didn’t stop at that and he even tried hitting her with a bat. Arabella ran as fast as her legs could carry her into the woods, even though it was past midnight, she knew better than to stick around and no one would open their doors for her. She had passed out in the woods.
It was the next day when she opened her eyes to find the most beautiful pair of eyes she had come to love. He was a tall handsome man. His long sunrise gold hair was packed in a manly bun style that fits his perfectly sculpted face. He has broad shoulders, a well built chest and a muscular physique. His eyebrows are large, piercing blue eyes that made her heart melt and a pointed nose. She had never seen such unique beauty all her life. She fell for him immediately.
Liam said she had passed out in the middle of the woods that night and had found her when he was taking fresh air outside. She got to know he was the man who everyone was forbidden to associate with. They had said he was a beast, but she had never seen him act in any weird manner. He was the kindest man she had ever met. Whether he is a beast or not, she cared less. He made her happy and they both loved each other.
Whenever her father was out to get booze, knowing the number of hours he would take, she would go to Liam and spend quality time with him. And meeting him had changed her intention of eloping to her aunt’s place in Pennsylvania cause she couldn’t think of leaving him.
On getting to the house, Bella opened the back door slightly and strained her ear to listen for any form of movement. But the silence did prove that no one was in, she sighed in relief and beamed with joy.
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FEW WEEKS LATER
“Arabella, you know, you not telling me the exact truth would put you in trouble right?” Bennett bellowed at his daughter. For the first time in weeks he was sober. Of all days, he had observed that his daughter looked paler than usual.
Arabella shifted away from him leaning into the wall like a deer caught in the headlights. She already knew what was wrong with her. She was carrying Liam’s child and they had both been happy about it and even planned on eloping. But Bella didn’t expect her father to find out before their plan was carried out.
“I am okay father, just a little sick. I would be fine.” She told him.
Bennett sneered. “You had better be because you wouldn’t find it funny one bit if my suspicions are true.” He walked away and exited the house.
After making sure that her father was out of sight, she rushed back to her room to change her clothes. She left the house running as fast as her legs could carry her towards Liam’s home in the woods.
Bennett came out of hiding, turned around after his daughter to see which way she went. He had been told by not just one but by quite a few number of people that his daughter was hanging out with the beast. He didn’t want to believe it until he took note of her paleness and the direction she headed to in the wood proved it.
“That slut!” He muttered under his breath. He should have known she was no good. She was nothing like her mother. Every of her being was like that of her mother’s sister, Harriett.
Bennett spat in disgust. He walked back to his house to search for his barrel and he loaded it fully. He made his way towards the wood with a determined mind to end whatever creature was in there.
Arabella ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards Liam’s home. Sensing she might be in trouble with her father again, Liam ran to meet her half way. “What is the matter, Bella?” Liam asked as he held on to her. She was trying to catch her breathe. “You know you shouldn’t be stressing yourself due to your condition.”
Arabella swallowed hard. “Let’s elope today, Liam. My father is suspecting I am pregnant and I am certain he would find out soon. He is going to kill us, Liam! Let’s leave this town my love.” She cried in reply as she pulled him towards the cottage.
“I would do what you want Bella. But…please calm…you need to relax.” Liam hugged her to himself. Slowly he stroked her back to calm her down.
Bennett saw their image from afar and was beyond livid. The speculations had been true. And without thinking he fired a shot into the sky which caused the couple to go apart. They saw him walking towards them.
“Get the hell off my daughter, you monster!” Bennett yelled.
Liam became protective and stood in front of Bella. “Mr Javernick, we can talk things out as man to man.” He said calmly.
“You are not a man like me! You are a monster! Get away from my daughter before I blow your animalistic brain out!”
“Dad…please…don’t shoot.” Bella pleaded
“Shut the hell up! You know nothing about this animal! And he has only been using you to pleasure himself!” Bennett stood in a defensive stance without making an attempt to back out and he had the barrel pointed at Liam.
Seeing they were in harm way, Liam felt his beast emerge as he walked towards his attacker. Not thinking it through, he morphed into a wolf and charged at Bella’s father. Arabella was shock at seeing his transformation.
“No! Liam No!” She called out.
Liam heard her. However, he couldn’t turn back seeing her father was determined to end him. He had to protect himself. Bennett was furious seeing the beast in its full form. He had prepared his mind for the worst to come. Moreover, he was confident the Barrel would do a great job.
Bennett pulled the trigger non stop and he didn’t miss the target. Liam felt the impact of the bullets penetrating his wolf and just as he reached his assailant he fell to the ground.
“Liam!” Bella screamed out.
Chapter 3 A new chapterArabella whimpered as she sat up, cleaning the beads of sweat that formed on her head. She exhaled deeply. “Not this nightmare again.” She muttered.Bella poured herself a cup of water that was next to her by the bed. She gulped loudly. She checked the time it was past seven in the morning. She woke up late yet again. Putting on her slippers, she slipped into her robe, headed out of the room and she walked down the stairs.“Finally sleeping beauty has decided to grace us with her presence.” Arabella’s eighteen year old daughter, Mia teased on seeing her come down the stairs.“Shut your mouth child, that’s not a proper way to greet your mother.” Her aunt Harriett rebuked the child, even though her eyes twinkled and it was obvious she was trying all she can to not laugh.Arabella waved them off as she took a stool and sat down. They were both seated in the kitchen round the island and sipping coffee. It was a regular routine that became a tradition for the three
Chapter 4 The BetCollins shifted on his feet uncomfortably, he hated being in the position he found himself at the moment. Of all person to get in an argument with, his father wasn't one he would want to have to deal with.“You amaze me every time, Collins. I can't believe you would be this stupid. What the hell has gotten into you!" His father yelled.Holding on to his ear like it would fall off, he moved further away from his father. He should have been smart enough to not let his father get a hold of his plan. All he needed was a little more time to get his mission completed and after that he would leave. But his father wouldn't hear of it and Collins knew he only got to know through his sister Catty.“The bitch!” Collins muttered as he glared at her.Catherine stood at the door of his room jesting him with her eyes. If he knew she would go that far he would have pleaded with her more. Now all of his plans were in ruins because of her."Now listen to me young man." His father's vo
Chapter 5 The Duckstein"Would you hold still, Asher. Do you ever sit?" Amanda questioned her nineteen year old son who seemed in a hurry to leave her presence."What do you want ma? I am eating already." He replied her, stuffing scrambled eggs in his mouth.The Mayor of Titusville, Fred Duckstein chuckled to himself at his son’s attitude. Asher had always been a handful and being the only child it only made his mother dot more on him. However, he wasn't one to be camped and wouldn't let anyone control him. He is so free spirited. Everyone says Asher looks like his father when he was his exact age. Fred Duckstein’s mother, Eunice also affirmed it.Asher had gotten into the college in Titusville rejecting his admission into Harvard, saying he wants to live within the community and understand the grassroots that would enable him help the people with whatever he can when he understands them. He had been away since his father got the post of a Mayor when he was about seven. To protect As
Chapter 6 He played meThe perks of schooling next to home is one being able to run to the arms of one’s family when troubled. Such was the case of Mia, she couldn't wait to get home to see her grandaunt and mother cause they knew just the right thing to do to console her.Mia stared at Cheryl's hand in hers as she drove. What would she have done if Cheryl wasn't there? She might have lost it and might be forced to commit suicide due to the embarrassment. She had known Cheryl all her life, although wild and very outspoken she was a good company for Mia. She was glad for the first time since they applied for college that Cheryl had decided to stay back and not left for other college.Cheryl stopped the car in front of her mother's pastry shop, M&A pastries and coffee. The shop name had been gotten from the first letters of her name and her mother’s name. The shop was filled up to the brim, it was lunch hour obviously and people needed to have a refill. Mia didn't think her mother would
Chapter 7 Coincidence or Fate?“Try throwing the ball high and watch me catch it...oomph." Asher had been calling out to Adam to pass him the ball in his hand with his back turned to where he was headed until had bumped into someone unknowingly."What idiot plays games on the walkway?” The lady he had bumped into murmured angrily.Asher turned to look down at the person he had bumped into. Her books had dropped to the ground which she was bending over to pick up. "I am really sorry miss…it wasn't intentional." He pleaded. She slapped his hands when he tried to help her pick up the books. “I am so sorry.”She stood up, glared at him and realization dawned on both of them. They both yelled. "You?!”Mia scoffed. “I can't believe this! Mr oh bow down at my feet! You school here?""I could say the same for you Miss Snooty. Yes I school here. And you do owe me an apology." Asher responded.Mia snickered before walking away. "Like I ever will! Go to hell Mister Oh bow at my feet!”"This is o
Chapter 8 Dinner with the WaltersFred Duckstein took a swift glance at the window facing the car park of his office. He clanked his tongue after seeing the person who highlighted from the car. It was his long time but not so close friend George Walter and the man got on his nerves every time. Staying clear of him had been the best option, since Fred noticed how pushy he can be and his greediness to earn too much was very glaring.George owned the classiest hotel in Titusville and had branches every corner of Pennsylvania, still he was never satisfied, he eyed so many landed properties in the area wanting to claim it as his and at a very unattractive price. It had gotten worse when he became Mayor. George Walter visited almost every week trying to seek for contracts and it annoyed Fred to the extreme. But being the Mayor he had to be polite to avoid being tagged as unconcerned of the people's welfare.Fred heard a knock on the door and without bothering to ask who it was he told him t
Chapter 9 An old blockThe noise from the hammer had Arabella’s head spinning. Her daughter was at it again, if only Arabella knew Mia would keep doing this whenever she was upset then she wouldn't have opened the workshop for her."Is it morning yet?” Arabella asked Harriett who sipped gently at the juice in her hand and she rubbed her head slightly. "And isn't it too late for such merriment?" She rebuked her.Harriett shook her head in disagreement. "As long as that noise keeps coming in, I don't think it's too late for even a glass of whiskey." Standing up from the stool in the kitchen, she moved to the living room and settled on the couch as she put the TV on. "I don't think sleep would come in easy for me tonight, I would just rather do this. Thank God it's Friday anyways."Arabella snorted. “How old do you think you are aunt?""Young enough to know Fridays are for Netflix and chill. Also please go talk to her, she needs you more than she needs that hammer right now. And do that
Chapter 10 M&A Pastries and Coffee‘I can't believe you would do this to me Adam. This is the moment I need you the most in my life and you can't even come through.’ Asher glared at the phone, wishing he could get hold of Adam.‘You do know there would still be many times I would have to come through for you, so do not suck over this.’ Adam commented on the other line.‘What the hell is keeping you from hanging out on a bloody Saturday Adam?’ He sounded frustrated.‘Well, at this point I would try to be sincere. I am getting some free booty and I am not missing it for anything.’ Adam laughed.‘Not even when your dad slumps down due to heart attack?’‘The hospital should hold on to him till I am done.’ Adam retorted with a tone of finality.Asher barked out a laugh. ‘You, my man is a crazy human. Get off my phone! I know how to get back at you.’‘Do that when my dick isn't thinking for me. My cue is here, bye bro and don't miss me too much. Muah!’‘Fuck off man.’ Asher disconnected the