My Neighbor is a Wolf

Chapter Twelve

Rachael

A knock at the door caused me to jump, nearly dropping the plate I had been carrying. I wasn't expecting Benny back until tomorrow. After our heart to heart, he had given me the new keys to my apartment then went to grab Thor to take him home. He told me he would come by tomorrow around dinner time, to once again fetch Thor who would no doubt be lounging in that sun spot and keeping me company.

I put the dish in my dishwasher then headed to the door. Maybe Hunter had come to apologize. Would I listen to what he had to say?

Lost in thought, I didn't look through the peephole and when I saw it wasn't Hunter, my breath caught in my lungs.

Chad stalked through the living room towards me as I slowly backed into the kitchen. A gun hung loosely in his palm. His eyes were wild, like an animal, staring me down like a predator hunting its prey.

My heart beat wildly in my chest but I did my best to control my breathing. I couldn't show Chad I was scared. I couldn't show weakness. He would latch onto it and use it against me.

“Chad, honey, why don't you sit down? I can make you some dinner.”

He continued his path towards me as I pressed myself into the counter. The menacing smile that spread across his face sent a shiver down my spine.

“I'm definitely hungry, little lady.” He towered over me now, shoving his nose into my neck. I could smell the cheap alcohol on his breath. My stomach turned and I swallowed the bile that rose up the back of my throat.

I tried to turn my head away, but his rough hand grabbed my jaw, yanking my face towards him. “No, you don't. You're going to look at me, and you're going to thank me for coming back for you.”

I tried to shake my head, but Chad held it still. He ran his nose along my jaw. His mouth was on top of my ear.

“That asshole with roid rage who thought he was saving you last time won't be interrupting us this go around. I've been waiting. I know he's left you on your own.” His hand on my jaw went to my throat, using it as a point of leverage.

My lungs stopped working and my chest tightened as I tried to draw in a breath. Tears burned the back of my eyes. He pressed his body into mine as he spoke, “Now, we're going to have a little bit of fun.”

There was only one thought that ran through my head.

“Hunter!”

But it wasn't just a thought. It was a scream. One that was backed by every fiber of my being. Because I knew he would come, even if he thought I was upset with him. Even if I wasn't sure what our future held.

Hunter would come.

As expected, Chad attempted to silence me. He slapped his large hand over my mouth. While it muffled my voice, I refused to stop. I took in as much air as I could to try again.

Pain ripped through my skull as Chad brought the butt of the gun down to the side of my head. His motions were sloppy but it was enough to silence me.

“You stupid fucking bitch.” I could barely hear Chad over the ringing in my ears. Darkness invaded my vision, making everything incredible blurry. My chest expanded rapidly as pure panic set in.

It felt like minutes had passed, even hours. Where was Hunter?

As if on cue, the familiar sound of splintering wood broke through the chaos surrounding me. I could just make out Hunter's silhouette as I blinked, helping my vision to slowly clear.

“Get your fucking hands off of her.” His tone was deadly, even more so than the last time he said those words.

Chad spun around and took me with him. His arm gripped across my shoulder, pressing my back against his sweaty chest.

“Tell him to leave us alone, sweetness. We don't need him, do we?” he whispered into my ear. My head was swimming and I tried to focus on the man in front of me.

Chad used the forgotten gun to caress my cheek, sending sparks of panic down my spine. “Tell him,” he snarled.

My body shook and I fought to stay upright, clawing at Chad's arm. I couldn't stop the tears that fell down my cheeks as I swallowed hard. “Hunter, help…”

That was all I could get out when cold metal pressed against the side of my head. My blood ran cold. I clamped my mouth shut to keep from losing my dinner.

“Last chance,” he threatened. The tip of the gun pinched my skin as Chad pushed it further into my temple. My lungs seized, unable to push air out or bring it in.

Hunter's body shook wildly as he watched us. His hands balled into fists at his side. His features tightened, morphing into something more.

Rage.

The dark hair on his arms thickened, spreading along his body as his clothes melted away.

Hunter was no longer human. The only familiar part of the wolf in front of us was the glowing golden eyes. Chad's hold on me tightened as he pointed the gun towards him.

“D–don't come any cl–closer.” Chad's voice wavered as the hand holding the gun shook. A prickling sensation took over my hands and feet. Hunter stalked towards us, teeth bared.

“I mean it.” Chad sounded more confident this time as he pressed the gun against my head once more. A whimper escaped through my clenched teeth. “Come closer and I'll blow her brains out. I don't give a fuck if this bitch lives or dies.”

A flash of fur rushed towards us as I closed my eyes.

A scream tore from my throat as the gun went off.

I crumpled to the ground, no longer held hostage against Chad's body. My ears rang from the gunshot. Slowly, I opened my eyes. The ringing was replaced by Chad's screams as Hunter clamped down on the wrist that had held a gun only seconds ago. It was now laying useless next to his fingers.

The sound of crunching bone bounced around my skull while Chad's screams suddenly cut off. There was blood everywhere, a pool of it gathering under his severed hand. Chad laid motionless as Hunter moved on to gnawing at his forearm. I sat up and stared at the scene, unable to move or speak.

“What’s going on? I heard a gunshot.” I recognized Benny's voice. “Who the fuck broke this door ag–Oh no.”

“Rachael.” His footsteps vibrated the floor as he came up behind me. I was too transfixed on the scene unfolding in front of me. He placed a hand on my shoulder. “We need to go. The cops will be here soon.”

“No.” I shook my head, refusing to look away. Hunter sank his teeth into Chad's neck. “Not without him.”

“Honey, it's not safe. He's not changing back. He can't.”

“Wh–what do you mean?”

As if hearing us talk about him, Hunter turned his head. His golden eyes were wide in a familiar way. This was how he looked last night.

Did that mean his wolf was in control? Why was Benny saying he couldn't change back? Was this the curse?

Too many questions bounced around in my head and they went unanswered as the wolf took a step towards us. Benny yanked at my arm, trying to get me to move. My body refused to budge. My eyes were locked with Hunter's.

“Hunter,” I begged. “Please. Come back.”

He took another step towards me, then collapsed on his side. A patch of blood-soaked fur covered his abdomen.

“Hunter!” I screamed, rushing forward.

He whimpered as I pressed my hands into his side.

“I'm going to go get Liliana,” Benny said, running from my apartment. “And try to buy us some time with the cops!”

I paid him no mind as I watched Hunter's chest rise and fall rapidly. Pressing harder, I willed the blood back into his body. This couldn't be the end.

Time slowed. I met his gaze, his eyes softening. Tears ran down my cheeks.

Everything I wanted to say to him stuck in my throat. I wanted him to know I forgave him, that none of this was his fault. I wanted him to know how much he meant to me.

I wanted to tell him…

“I love you, Hunter,” I whispered, just as his eyes fluttered closed.

Liliana rushed into my apartment. Her gasp echoed in the now silent space. She rushed forward, placing her hands along his body. I laid my head on Hunter's chest and willed it to move.

“Rachael…” Liliana's voice was soft as she placed her hand on my shoulder. “He's gone.”

“I'm not leaving him.” I pressed my cheek further into his fur. It was still warm and soft.

“It's okay. I'm going to go find Benny.” Her hand fell away as her feet shuffled along my floor. My front door squeaked, signaling their departure. I silently thanked them for giving me space.

How had I fucked this up so royally?

My body trembled with the need to scream but I couldn't muster the energy. I knew I was in shock, trying to process Hunter actually being gone. The longer I laid there, the harder it became to get up. My body was numb and I was certain my mind was playing tricks on me when I felt a hand on my back. It was too familiar.

“Rachael…” Hunter's voice mixed with the fog in my head. I pressed my cheek further into Hunter's chest, wanting to be as close to him as possible, but became confused when it no longer felt like fur.

I bolted upright, staring down in disbelief at a naked Hunter on my floor. He sat up and wrapped his arms around me. I climbed into his lap and sobbed into his neck.

“It's okay, sweetheart,” he soothed, his hand rubbing my back as the other kept me firmly against him. “I'm so sorry.”

I shook my head. “I'm sorry. If I had stayed and listened, I wouldn't have been in this situation and you wouldn't have had to come rescue me for a second time.”

“There is no way I'm letting you take even an ounce of blame for this. I should have told you everything. I was scared of losing you and that's exactly what happened.” I sat back in his arms, meeting his gaze. His eyes were filled with sadness and it shattered my heart.

“I told you I wouldn't leave.” My voice broke on the last word, thinking about how much he must have hated when I ran away. His hands cupped my cheeks.

“You had every right. I put you in danger. I hurt you. It should have never come to that. I feel like all I have are empty promises.” He dropped his hands, grabbing mine and bringing them to his lips.

His thumbs brushed over my knuckles as he laid my palms against his chest. Warmth spread through my body.

“I love you, Rachael. I don't expect you to say it back. But if you let me, I will spend every day trying to prove it to you. You deserve more than I can give you but I will never stop giving you everything I've got.”

I pulled his face to mine, claiming his mouth with a kiss that quickly left me breathless. I broke our kiss and rested my forehead against his. My hands searched his abdomen, certain my fingers would find evidence of a gunshot wound.

“Rachael,” he whispered. His hands wrapped around mine and brought them back up to his chest.

“I just– There's no– I was–” I couldn't form a complete sentence.

“I’m okay.” He pulled away, planting kisses on my palms. “Does this mean you forgive me?”

“Of course, Hunter. I forgave you the second you came bursting through my door a second time.” Our lips met once more. “And I love you, too. It might be crazy but something about this feels right. Like I'm where the universe wants me to be.”

Hunter picked me up with his hands on my hips, spinning me around my living room. I couldn't help the giggle that bubbled to the surface.

“Rachael, honey? We're going to have to move Hunt–Oh my gods!” Benny yelled from behind us. Hunter put me down on my feet and we both turned to look towards the door. Benny and Liliana were standing just inside the doorway, both with huge smiles on their faces.

“Hunter, clothes!” Liliana exclaimed while throwing her hands over her eyes.

I turned to Hunter, having completely forgotten his state of undress during our confessions. “I always meant to ask you that. Where do your clothes go when you shift?”

Hunter looked down at me, his eyebrow raised. “You know, I have no clue.” He looked over to Benny and Liliana, who still had her eyes covered. We exchanged glances before we all burst out laughing.