Page 6 of Bella and Her Beast
“You know the book you are doing research on?”
“Oh, yeah. Well, maybe we can work that out one day soon.”
“Let me guess, you want to talk over coffee or dinner, right?” I say, with a sarcastic tone.
“No. The library is just fine.”
The heat of embarrassment fills my cheeks. He’s not like any other guy. They would’ve jumped at the chance to go on a date. “Oh. Well, yeah. Whenever you’re ready, I’m yours for the taking.”
“See you around, Bella.” He leaves.
I’m not sure why, but suddenly I am all fevered. I return to a smirking Joy.
“What?” I say, when she gives me side-eye.
“You haven’t given me your necklace.”
“What if I give it to you tomorrow? It is a full moon after all. Lot’s of crazies out there.”
“Well, then that’s the perfect time to try out your superstitious theory.”
I let out a deep sigh and pass her my most prized possession. I already feel naked without it. “Don’t lose it, seriously.”
“I wouldn’t even think about it. In fact, I will place it in my purse and wrap it in a clean hanky.” She takes out her pocket hanky and wraps my jewels before carefully placing it in her bag. “See, all protected. Now it is five o’clock and there is a full moon, so I better get going.” She giggles as she trots to the office to clock out and head home.
I stroll around the library to check the facility, look for books without a home, and pick up any straggling trash. After pushing in a few chairs and straightening up the shelves, I return to the check-out desk and pick up my reading where I left off.
* * *
Greyson
The sun setsin a little over an hour. I was prepared to head home, so there would be no trouble or issues tonight, but when I overheard Bella and her friend Joy make that silly bet, I wanted to make sure that no harm comes to her. She places so much faith in her necklace and her friend, although supportive, wants to believe it’s all fraud. But Bella is right. The effects a moon has on a person when it’s full, covers all the ranges of emotions; from elation to rage. I should know, hence the reason I should be putting rubber to asphalt right now. And being in the city of New Orleans and under her mystical powers, only enhances the enchantment.
But, here I sit in my car parked between the two buildings waiting for the lights to go out, signaling closing time. My fingers drum on the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music playing through the sound system. My mind isn’t even aware of the actual tune since my focus is elsewhere. I look out my rear view and see a group of kids riding their bikes at a fast speed. I’m sure it’s to get home before dark. Another group of teens are casually taking a stroll along the sidewalk. The lights go out around the door signaling what I’ve been waiting for and I watch her cross the street to where her car is parked. I go to press the start button on my automobile when I see two men approaching her. At first, I choose to ignore their presence, taking them for someone she’s familiar with until I see one of them lunge towards her.
I exit my car with no regards to the moon’s appearance. The pain of my bones as they creak and crack, evident of shifting from man to beast, is always much to bare. My fingers elongate and knuckles become more defined and prominent on my hands. My back broadens and clothes shred to tatters as the transformation completes. Ears now pointy and covered in coarse straight hair from head to toe, well paws, I turn to where Bella needs help. I creep up on the perps, fangs noticeable from my snarl. I emit a low growl from within, a warning of impending strike if they don’t move.
“What the fuck is that?” One thug nervously questions.
“It’s a wolf, man.” The other one nervously blurts. “Easy fella. We don’t want any trouble,” he continues.
“Fool, that ain't no damn wolf, he’s too big. I’m out.” The other guy takes off running, leaving his partner in potential crime behind to fend for himself.
I gnash my teeth at him and slowly allow my jaw to part; the drool of temptation drips onto the ground.
He makes a move towards me, and I lunge slightly in response.
“Fuck this,” he screams, and takes off in the same direction as the friend before him.
I try to walk away, but the innate desire to have her overpowers me and instead of leaving, I trot towards her.
“Back up,” she shouts. Her hands shake nervously when she holds a comb out towards me. I’m not sure if she thinks she can really do any damage with that thing aside from maybe detangling my mane. She keeps her stance and doesn’t flinch as I continue to move toward her. This level of fierceness is an admirable quality in a mate. I can smell her fear pouring from her pores even though she maintains her stance. I leap up wanting to grab her, and suddenly I feel a sharp burning pain through my arm. I cower and retreat in response to the agony riveting through me.
Glancing back, it becomes clear that the object wasn’t your ordinary grooming device, but instead, it’s a cleverly disguised knife with a silver blade. Any injuries I’ve sustained in the past would heal up overnight, however I know it to be that if that blade is of pure silver, it will take a little longer to recover. I take shelter behind my car and my ears perk when the sound of her engine, tires screeching, and the waning smell of her scent alludes to her departure. The sound of people gathering back where she was parked tickles my curiosity. I take a peek and I see the previous perps have returned with a few others pleading their case of a wolf-like man beast attacking them. The others don’t buy into their myth and laugh as they nervously plead their case.
Satisfied that an angry mob will not be hunting for me, I stick to the shadows and trail back to my home. Once I arrive, Russell is already waiting for me at the backdoor leading to the basement. He secures me in our custom-built, wolf-proof, reinforced, plexiglass encasement. With me being injured, I’m more docile than normal. Usually I’m in here testing the strength of the confines of each full moon. Today is different. I allowed my feelings to rule instead of a rational mind.
Russel returns and tends to my wound. “She used silver,” he quips. “We shall discuss this later.”
