Page 5 of Beasts

“You have to tell me something. I can’t just erase what I saw from my mind!” I plead, desperate for answers.

Oliver, mutters under his breath about silencing me, but Hugh quickly shuts him down.

“Not our place,” he says firmly, watching as Oliver exits the kitchen, likely retreating to his own room.

Hugh then turns to me, his voice softening. “Amelia, what you saw... Nolan would probably want to explain it himself. But it’s late, and you need rest. Come on,” he says, gently guiding me toward my bedroom.

As we approach the door, Hugh offers a reassurance that feels both comforting and unsettling. “I know you’re scared, but trust me, Nolan wouldn’t willingly hurt anyone. He locks himself in the basement for a reason. Try to get some sleep. I’ll stay out here for a bit if you need anything.”

Looking up at Hugh, I can tell he’s trying his best to comfort me. But the image of Nolan, transformed and ferocious, lingers in my mind, casting a shadow over his reassuring words. Despite Hugh’s promise of safety, the night’s events have left me feeling vulnerable and uncertain. As I enter my room, the idea of sleep seems like a distant possibility, overshadowed by the fear and questions that now haunt my thoughts.

The familiar sound of knocking pulls me from a restless sleep. I realize I’m still wearing last night’s clothes, a testament to how alert and uneasy I felt. Despite this, exhaustion had eventually won, and I had succumbed to sleep.

“Who is it?” I call out, my voice tinged with morning grogginess.

“It’s Nolan. Can I talk to you?” His voice, unexpected and close, startles me. In a moment of indecision, I contemplate ignoring him, but then remember I’ve already responded. Sighing, I stand up and reluctantly unlock the door, opening it to reveal Nolan standing there.

He looks rough, like he’s been through a harrowing ordeal. His appearance is disheveled, his hair a mess as if he’s been dragged through a bush. I gesture for him to come in, and he takes a seat on the spare bed. I sit on my bed, facing him, an expectant silence hanging between us.

“So?” I prompt, urging him to start the conversation.

Nolan sits up, his demeanor reflecting a nervous tension. “Last night, I really didn’t intend for you to see that,” he begins.

“What was that?” I ask, my curiosity mixed with a sense of unease.

He hesitates before answering. “Um, to answer your question from last night, yes, I’m a werewolf. It’s not always controllable.”

I’m taken aback. “You heard the question from the basement?”

“No, Hugh told me this morning,” he clarifies. The revelation leaves me speechless for a moment. This is beyond anything I could have imagined. “This is why I was upset with Seth’s suggestion for you to stay,” he continues. “It’s not something we usually share with... normal people.”

“So, everyone in the house knows about this?” I ask, still trying to wrap my head around the situation.

“Yeah, they do,” he confirms.

I let out a nervous chuckle. “Wow, that’s next-level acceptance,” I comment, then quickly add, “Not that I’m not accepting. It’s just... a little freaky, Nolan.”

He nods in understanding. “I can imagine I scared you. I’m sorry for that. You didn’t deserve to be put in that situation.”

“I think I deserve a bit more explanation about what’s going on here,” I say, seeking some semblance of clarity.

Nolan agrees readily. “Okay, I’ll tell you anything you want to know. I’ll answer all your questions.”

I decide to delve deeper. “You said it’s not always controllable?”

“Right. Sometimes, when I get very angry, I can transform but still remain in control,” he explains.

“And when do you lose control?”

“Usually on nights like last night, with the full moon. It turns me into something... monstrous,” he admits.

I try to lighten the mood. “Have you ever lived with a girl before? We kind of do the same thing, only we’re much scarier.” My attempt at humor seems to catch him off guard, but he smiles and laughs, a welcome break in the tension.

“Look, I understand if you don’t want to stay here anymore,” he offers sincerely.

“I’m not as freaked out as you might think. I’m surprised everyone knows, though. I guess it’s not easy to hide something like this,” I respond.

Nolan’s expression shifts, hinting at deeper secrets. “Ah, about that. We all have things to hide, actually.”

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