Celia above

Trigger warning 

Celia POV

Kathy told me that Terry came to her when she was leaving the toilet, she picked up something he dropped on the floor, and when she gave it back to him, he called her pretty and left quickly. I still can't calm my racing heart at the thought that he was so close to my daughter. Anything could have happened. He could have done anything.

Danny is sleeping next to me, with Kathy in the middle between both of us. He is shaken beyond normality too, because of what happened today, but I watched him, I'm not sure, but I think it was the reaction to seeing Jordan, not Terry. But still, I don't know what made him so scared, I've always thought that his nightmares and "bathroom problems" were caused by the attack on our clan and his father's abuse, but now I'm not sure.

I hear sounds of moving in the next room, and I know that Hank has just come back. It's late, and he was working today till very late. I think about the face he made when he saw my scars, constant reminders of memories I would love to get rid of forever.

I get up slowly, not to wake up the kids, I need answers, and I need them right now.

"Hank, may we speak?" I say as I walk into the living room.

He looks at me, he is in the middle of changing, and I try to avoid looking at his necked torso; he's very well-built, I can't deny it. He nods, and I come closer and sit in front of him.

"How did you know it was Terry? Why did you ask about him?" I voice my biggest question.

"I didn't want to worry you, but he kind of sent here two messages. In both, he demanded you to be sent back to him."

I gulp and shift uncomfortably. What does he want, especially after such a long time?

"Celia, I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but can we talk about Terry now? If I'm to protect you from him, I should know everything."

His voice is so gentle; he really seems to care, I think as I look into the wall withholding my tears.

"Before my parents' death, Terry was the best brother I could have, but after they died, he was no longer present. He became a hunter, he started taking part in hunts, and we stopped talking. But still, he was my brother, and I didn't expect it ever to change. I thought that I was safe with him," my voice and my hands are trembling, I know I cry.

Hank makes a move as if he wants to hug me, but I don't allow it.

"After what you did to me... Terry was furious, but my grandfather wasn't bothered by it too much because the burned cash, now I know, was more important. As a clan, we lost our position... so after my second suicide attempt, not with the herbs, I tried something different after it failed... when the girl who took care of me figured out I was pregnant and spread the rumor, my grandfather was livid. He...he slapped me and dragged me to the training room; there were Terry and his colleagues, some of them were my cousins." I gulp again. I don't know if I have the strength to talk about it; I feel tears going down my cheeks.

Hank doesn't move and just looks at me.

"He told them that I... I dishonored family, that...that I tainted myself and that I... I should pay for it. It was like lynching. They were.... they were kicking me, punching me, hitting me. I lost consciousness quickly, but... I was woken up when one of them engraved what you saw on my back, and then they started again... I didn't know I had so much blood in me. I didn't know I could've screamed so loud. I was in and out of consciousness for I don't know how long. And the pain...was unimaginable. I think they broke almost every bone in my body."

When I say that, I'm sobbing openly as Hank holds me tight in his arms, pressing my head toward his chest.

"Celia, tell me, did they... did they also...?" he whispers.

"No," I say between my sobs. "They wanted to, but... Terry disagreed; he also told them not to touch my face. I begged them to stop, I begged Terry to help me, but he didn't, he just stood there, watched it... After, I woke up in the hospital, where uncle David took me. I don't know how I survived; I shouldn't have. Your pack doctor told me that it was probably thanks to Kathy because she was inside of me and could share with my body your species' healing abilities."

"I'm so sorry, Celia, I really am," his hand keeps caressing my hair.

"I don't know what Terry wants, but I'm scared. I'm scared so much."

I keep sobbing in his arms as he holds me tight for I don't know how long. As I finally pull myself together and stand, he gently touches my face.

"I will never let him touch you again, I promise. Celia, can I sleep today in your room? Greyson is livid again, and we need to be close to you all."

For a moment, just a slight moment, I hesitate but agree. He follows me towards my bedroom and makes a move to lie on the floor.

"The bed is big enough," I say, although I don't know why. "You can sleep with us."

He smiles but seems a little unsure, yet he doesn't disagree with me. I go to one side of the bed and lie next to Danny, wrapping my arms around him. Hank goes to the other side and lies next to Kathy; she sniffs eagerly, still asleep, and snuggles into him immediately.

Hank POV

I have problems with falling asleep, so I just lie calmly, focusing on the steady breathing of those who surround me. My daughter has her head on my chest and I play with soft strands of her hair with my fingers.

Rage is long gone; now only that are left are guilt and sorrow. I did this to her, maybe not personally, but I was the reason it happened. Greyson is whimpering in my mind; he's in pain because our mate suffered because of us so much.

I still remember every detail of what I did to her, everything I shouldn't have done. At that very moment, I was in total bliss, the pull toward her was so strong, and Greyson was in sex crazy state. It was the middle of a battle, so both of us were agitated, but still, it was me who made the final choice, and I will never stop feeling guilty about that.

At least with one, Celia and I are united, and it's Kathy. I know none of us regrets bringing her into this world. Our daughter is the best thing that happened to me, the greatest gift I could ever have, even though I'm not worthy of it.

Danny stirs in his sleep and starts whimpering slightly; I look in his direction and notice that he's sweating a lot. His breathing is hard, and he looks extremely uncomfortable.

I sit to lie Kathy aside and get closer to him. I'm about to touch him gently when he starts trashing like crazy and screams:

"No, no, I don't want to! Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Both Celia and Kathy jerk up as I wrap my arms around Danny and pull him slowly into a sitting position. I shake him slightly to get him to open his eyes, and he does. For a moment, he looks around, totally confused, and his breathing is only quickening.

"It's ok, kid. I've got you. Breathe with me, Danny, slowly take a breath, release a breath."

From the corner of my eye, I see Kathy hugging her mother and Marc standing at the entrance to the room. Danny quietly sobs in my arms, but he seems to get calm slowly.

"I have a proposition," Marc suggests. "What do you all say for a late-night cup of hot chocolate?"

"I think it's a great idea," Celia says and smiles at Danny.

He still seems shaken because of his recent nightmares but doesn't protest. Now, when I think about it, that kid never protests, and when I wonder why I have a cold sensation in the pit of my stomach.

Danny and Celia both believe that if they disagree with something, they still will be forced to do it; any protesting would only bring them more pain. Thank Goddess, Kathy isn't that way, probably because she was born far away from the clan. Sometimes I wonder what they would do to her if Celia gave birth being still at home. What would they do with the newborn werewolf child? Even the thought makes me sick.

Marc makes the chocolate when the rest of us sit behind the kitchen table. Kathy makes fun of her mother's ruffled hair; then she decides she wants to sit on my lap. Danny is slowly relaxing. Marc starts telling another story from his youth.

We drink our chocolate, and it feels peaceful.

Since we are slowly coming closer to the middle of the story, the next chapters will be intensive.

Enjoy reading :)