Page 58 of Beast: Part Two

I start to feel claustrophobic. Glancing around, I notice everyone is watching me. They aren’t looking at me like I am their brother or friend. They stare at me as if I’m a monster. In this moment, I fear that I am. Without another word, I storm out of the kitchen.

“Gabriel,” Summer calls after me.

“Let him go. He needs the space,” Priest says.

I don’t stick around to hear anyone else. I leave out of the house, putting as much distance as possible between me and the people I’m fighting to protect.

chapter fourteen

Bonds

Priest

Three days have passed since Beast stormed out of the house. His absence is like a heavy wet blanket over the home.

Summer mopes around most of the day, keeping her distance from everyone. Maksim is just as upset. He blames himself for Beast’s outburst. He barely looks in Summer’s direction. I wish I could say that’s the only disruption in the house right now.

Being cooped up like this is starting to really take its toll on everyone. Small bickering is starting to spread like wildfire. Just this morning I had to damn near pull Many and Zel apart.

Walking into the kitchen, I spot Summer at the counter. She’s making a cup of tea. The bags under her eyes could store enough clothes for a family of six. I guess that’s what happens when you stay up all night waiting for Beast to return.

“I hope that tea has something to help you sleep in it,” I say making my way over to the fridge to grab something to drink.

“I’m not tired,” she lies.

I turn and place my back against the refrigerator. Popping the top to my seltzer water, I take a sip.

“You need to sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when he comes back.”

“And if he doesn’t?” I ask watching her face closely.

I had no reason to believe that Beast wouldn’t return. He can’t stay away from this woman any more than I can stay away fromFem. But I needed her to understand that risking her health wasn’t wise.

She sniffles and wipes her eyes. “I just want him to come back. I need to tell him that I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have flinched like that. He thinks I’m afraid of him and I know that hurt him.” She breaks down in front of me.

Placing my drink on the island I go over to her and place a hand on her shoulder. She turns and buries her face in my chest.

At that moment Fem walks into the kitchen holding Charlie. I look at her and mouth ‘help’. I don’t do well with women and tears. I’m a bit too blunt to be the one to console someone.

Fem winks at me and then turns and walks back out. I’m going to turn her ass red for that.

“Okay. Alright,” I say to Summer leaning her back so I can see her face. “I know you love my son. I know that you think you have to be understanding of all his flaws but let me tell you something.” I pinch her chin and hold her head in place. “Don’t ever deny how you feel around Beast. You’re not helping him by doing that. If you are afraid, tell him. And it’s alright to be afraid. He needs to learn how to treat you, and more importantly, if you explain that something scared or hurt you, it teaches him how to deal with those emotions. I don’t coddle my son, and I never will.”

She looks away. I let go of her chin. Summer has to understand that if she’s going to be with Beast, she needs to advocate for herself. Beast will swallow her up if she doesn’t. Of course he’s not doing it on purpose. But he will never learn what’s an acceptable behavior and what’s not if she continues to hide her emotions from him.

“I understand. I just don’t want him to feel as if he can’t be himself with me.”

“You’re not changing who he is by voicing your concerns. You are making him aware of his actions. Beast will always sufferwith understanding emotions and social ques. It is who he is, but he’s smart and can learn to adapt.”

She nods and wipes over her cheek clearing the drying tears.

“Do you think he’s okay out there?”

I chuckle. “If anyone can survive out there right now, it’s him. Trust me.” I move back over to the other end of the island to grab my water.

“I’m sick of these fucking dogs.”

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