Tamed: A Huntress Spin-off Novel (13 page)

My body tensed as I felt arms wrap around me and a hard stomach pressing into my abdomen.

“I’m really sorry,” Chelsea whispered in my ear, her voice soft.

My eyes flew open. I was surprised by Chelsea’s warm, tight embrace. I’d been away from family for three years so I was not exactly used to affection anymore. It felt good, though, to be held when I needed it the most, yet it wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to cry in front of everyone, and her affection had only stirred my sorrow that much more. I was going to cry.

I tried to push her away, but she only held onto me tighter.

“Please don’t. I don’t want to cry.”

“No, I’m not letting go. You’re sad. This is what you need. It’s okay to cry, Paige. It’s okay to give and receive love.”

I took deep breaths and tried my hardest to push back my tears, but a couple had slipped from my eyes and I quickly brushed them away.

“I know I’m not a huntress anymore, but it will always be a part of who I am, so I’m going to do what I have to do …I’m sorry it has to be this way. I know how hard it is to have to let go of someone you love, but I hope you understand that I’m thinking of your well-being now. She has to be killed or she’ll kill you, and I can’t let that happen,” Athena said.

“There really is no other choice. She’s not Andie anymore,” Lucas said.

The pressure in my chest from the building sorrow made it impossible for me to speak, so I nodded as the sound of my heart shattering drowned out the words of everyone around me.

Chapter Ten

Eli’s hand wrapped around my own as he led the way down the hallway. I didn’t know what was wrong or what he was doing. He just grabbed my hand and didn’t give me any choice but to follow him. I walked as fast as I could, my burning legs just keeping up with his long strides as he whisked me away through the manor.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You’re keeping your emotions in. Don’t think I didn’t see those sad eyes. You had the same look on your face the night I met you. I’m taking you to the training facility.”

The words training facility didn’t really sound too good at the moment; not when my body still felt tired and worn out.

“So, you want me to beat you up so I can feel good on the inside.”

He laughed. “Yeah, right, I would have you pinned in no time.” He looked back at me with a look of want as the thought of pinning me to the floor with our bodies so incredibly close excited him. “Possibilities.”

He wiggled his eyebrows, and I smiled, feeling the army of butterflies consume me. He was so adorable when he flirted.
Yes, possibilities…wait…no…just friends, Paige. Don’t break him.
But it was so hard to stay in control of my feelings when I felt so incredibly comfortable around him to the point where I didn’t even bother to think about my actions before leading him on. I was afraid to let go. I was afraid of what he would become if my behavior affected him.

We reached the kitchen where blue covered the cabinets, and a black birdcage bell with a candle burning inside hung above the breakfast bar. The theme was simple yet elegant, and I loved it.

I looked around to see if I could spot any alcohol on the counter. “I suppose you don’t have alcohol. Beer would do the trick as well. It beats having to beat shit up.”

He turned his head and scowled at me, remaining tight-lipped, but the look on his face said everything that he chose not to express. I melted under his intimidating, ‘don’t you even think about trying me’ glare. And I officially felt scolded.

“Fine, we’ll do it your way.”

“That’s the reason I’m doing this. It helped me, and I know it will help you.”

My brows furrowed as I got lost in thought. I just realized that if it would have been anyone else, I would have snatched my hand away and rebelled just because I hated orders or anyone else’s opinion about what I should be doing. I didn’t with him. I didn’t even feel the need to. And I knew then that he could tame me when no one else could. Maybe I wouldn’t corrupt him like I thought I would. Maybe I wouldn’t leave him broken if I gave him a chance. Maybe I should test him to see if he could handle me. This man was making me question everything.

We stepped outside on the patio and I looked up. The sky had lost its brightness as dark clouds hid the sun. A storm was brewing. My eyes fell on their built in pool. It was calling to me, tempting me to jump in and let myself float away, but not once did I let go of his hand. I was too curious to see if his technique actually did work…it was that, and, well, I kind of wanted to please him. God, what was happening to me? I wanted to please him now? I was beginning to like him even more, and despite my resistance, I couldn’t keep it from happening.

He led the way to the stepping-stones and we walked the long pathway down to a huge, white marble building with glass doors. Eli placed his hand on the fingerprint scanner, where a few seconds later, a woman with a robotic voice talked to us.

“Eli Mitchell, welcome.”

The lights to the facility came on and we walked inside to the deserted office where an empty receptionist desk stood to the far left of us. We entered through another set of glass doors and I looked around at the spacious room. There were dummies lined up at the far end of the room.

He used his super speed to run all the way down to the other end of the room to grab the dummy and come back.

I shook my head and smiled, amused at his lack of mortality when it came to the simplest things such as walking to grab the dummy instead. Oh, no, he just had to use his speed.

“The perks of being a vampire,” I said.

He grinned. “It has its advantages.”

He pulled black, cotton, hand wraps from his back pocket. “Let me see your hands.”

I held out my hands and he began wrapping in between my thumb and fingers, going all the way up to my hand. He repeated the process with the other hand.

“Okay, make a fist. I have to make sure that you properly clench your fists so that you don’t break any bones.”

So I clenched my fists and he observed my hands.

“Thumbs on the outside…good.”

“I’ve thrown a punch before.”

“I’ve seen. You bend your knees, but your stance isn’t all that great.”

He moved behind me. “You don’t part your legs.” His foot tapped on the back of my shoe. “Spread ‘em.”

I grinned. “I can think of plenty of inappropriate replies to that.”

I heard him smile. “Part your legs, perv.”

“Yes, sir.”

And so I did just that, feeling him push my foot further apart, guiding me until he was satisfied with the distance between my feet.

His hands settled on my waist, and I smiled as a jolt of excitement soared through my body.

“I’ve seen you do it, but remember to twist your body when throwing your punch.”

I turned my head to look at him, our faces so close that our noses almost touched. I looked down at his mouth before meeting his eyes once more, resisting the urge to kiss him.

“You just needed a reason to touch my waist.”

He smiled. “Well, obviously.” He then backed away. “Stop flirting with me.”

“Oh, who was really flirting with who here?”

“Okay, you’re all set.”

I stared at the dummy and took in a breath, my smile long gone as I grew nervous. In order for me to release the hurt inside, I would have to let myself feel that hurt first. I would have to open myself up and let the memories escape that box that I kept them locked away in. I didn’t want to unleash the agony.

Eli stood by the dummy with his arms folded as his penetrating eyes searched my face. “Are you scared? It’s only a dummy.”

Yeah, I’m scared of having a mental breakdown.

“I’m not sure I want to do this anymore.”

“It’s not supposed to hurt you. It’s to help you. Just give it a chance.”

I exhaled. “Fine, I’ll reward myself with a nice drink after I’m done.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Just kidding.”

As I threw the first punch, my knuckles slammed against the dummy and I winced, feeling a slight pain run through my hand as my fist battled it out with an unfamiliar object. After the first punch, adrenaline began to pump through my body, giving my tired body the right kind of strength it needed to continue on, so I threw a second punch and the feeling only intensified.

“You’re not letting go…I can see.”

“Maybe I don’t want to let go.”

“Well, that’s why we’re here. So, think about everything that has brought you down in the past. All of the pain you’ve made yourself sick over, and take it out on the dummy. Release the hurt.”

My gut twisted as my punches became less powerful. I didn’t want to break down my wall, because once my demons roamed free, there was no stopping them.

I stopped punching and shook my head. My heart slammed against my chest as I panted.

“I can’t…don’t make me.”

“Yes, you can,” he said sternly.

I stared at him with a look of shock on my face. I wasn’t used to that tone from him. My father, yes; Eli, no. He was reminding me of my dad. It was as if he had turned into a trainer who barked orders, leaving the comforting, soothing Eli to rest for a while.

I scowled.

He came toward me, his hands clutching my shoulders and giving them a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to upset you, but I can see you’re hesitant to let your guard down. I can’t let you shut down on me. If you don’t listen to me, you’re only going to damage yourself even more. I’ve been in your shoes, remember? Trust me.”

I looked away from his pleading eyes and sighed. “Okay,” I said with an edge to my voice, uncertain of the outcome.

I balled my fist and struck the dummy.

“Release it.”

I nodded, opening up the gates as the memories that held me down for so long came to the surface. The car coming toward me. Tessa’s horrific scream. I punched harder, faster with no sign of letting up. My parents’ constant absence in my life. Preston’s ice cold, rapist eyes. I pressed my lips together, as my tears cooled my hot cheeks. The memories kept coming, flashing through my mind, and it wouldn’t stop, so I kept punching, putting every ounce of power I had left in me in my punches. All of the hurt that I was responsible for.

Andie. Her beaming face came to mind, reminding me of everything that I lost. Why did she have to leave me? I hated it…I hated death. I hated the omen that clung to my very soul as it ripped the ones that I loved away from me. Who was next? It all came to the surface and I could finally feel all of the pent up anger, guilt, and sadness lift from my chest. I punched over and over again, letting out a scream before I collapsed, falling to my knees.

My tears, my sadness kept coming. It poured out of me and it just wouldn’t stop.

Eli’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his lap, and held me. “It’s okay,” he whispered so softly in my ear.

His tight embrace was soothing, calming as my crying slowly but surely died down. He laid back and took me with him, running his hand over my hair as I sniffled. I felt so completely exhausted, but the weight that tore me down constantly was gone, and even though it was impossible for me to forget, the tension within was no more…for now. Silence covered the room, but for once, I didn’t care because I had Eli.

“Do you always get bossy when you’re in here?”

I heard him smile. “That’s kind of a habit. I was training to be an instructor for up and coming hunters before Athena fell in love with
The Forbidden
. My life has been one big ball of crazy, especially because I’m friends with a Bram.”

“Oh, believe me, I know all about crazy.”

“Well, my life was pretty peaceful until
someone
showed up.”

I slowly lifted myself up; my arms, weak and sore, protested against me. I turned to face him. “You know you like me, crazy and all.”

I gave him my sweetest smile, and he shook his head, grinning.

“Well, maybe just a little bit.”

I jumped as cracks of thunder and lightning brought life to the dark, gloomy sky.

He sat up. “How long are you here for?”

“My plan was to take a year off before going to college.”

His brows rose in surprise. “Oh, so you’re going to college?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I was an A and B student. Just don’t tell my father. He would be proud. I’m smart… I just don’t make smart decisions sometimes.”

“What do you want to be?”

“I wanted to major in psychology, but I’m not sure anymore. I figured how could I help other people when I can’t help myself?”

“I think you could do it. You would have empathy for them, because you’re going through similar struggles. You would know how to help them more because of that… just like how I’m trying to help you.”

“I never thought of it like that. I guess that could help.”

“So, why are you taking a year off?”

“I couldn’t go away…not like this.”

“Like what?”

“I’m a mess.”

“You’re a beautiful mess.”

I smiled as my cheeks flushed.

“You just have to learn how to live with it…move on and try to be as happy as you can.”

He looked down, biting on his lip as he got lost in thought.

“What?”

“I’m debating.”

“Debating what?”

He met my gaze. “Whether or not I should ask you something, but I’m going to do it anyway, even if I already know the answer. Can I make you dinner?”

I beamed. It only took five heart-melting words to crack the shield even more.

“You know how to cook?”

“Well, just steak and spaghetti so if you want any side foods with your steak, we might just want to stick with the pasta.”

“So you do eat human food.”

“Yeah, of course. I’m a hybrid; a part of me still craves human food as a wolf should. When there’s a full moon, though, wolves can’t help but to turn and hunt for humans. It’s the only time they ever thirst for a human’s blood.”

“What about you?”

“I don’t turn into a full blown wolf, but my thirst for blood intensifies.”

“So, is that a yes?” he added, his eyes filled with hope.

My smile faded. I remembered I had that rare family dinner thing tonight, and after the bad news, I wasn’t going to be up for anything. I could already feel the sorrow build as I thought about her demise.

“I have dinner with my family tonight.” I looked down. “I think I’m going to need a couple of days by myself after…Andie.”