Taming the Beast

Chapter 53 (Caroline)

(Caroline's POV)

I stared after him shocked. I knew he was mad at Natasha, but I didn't think he would go that far. My

new wolf senses picked up on everything and I was loving it, except Keegan was mad, and pushing me

away because of it. I sighed and shook my head at the closed door that he slammed a few minutes ago

before I went and sat on the couch. Gregg nudged my shoulder.

"It's great to have you back, Care," Gregg said, breaking the silence.

"What was it like?" Aiden asked curiously, jumping at the opportunity to ask. Lena sat next to me as my

body went stiff as I remembered the pain coursing through my body and how bad it really was. I was

looking off at a place beyond them as I remembered every gory and pain-induced detail.

"It was horrible," I whispered more to myself than them. "There was so much pain and I had to get in a

lake," I said softly, suddenly looking at my hands like there was nothing more important.

"The lake? Oh, because of the accident?" Aiden asked. I almost forgot that he didn't know about my

fear of water and bridges. I nodded as my eyes glassed over with unshed tears.

"During the change I-I... I almost didn't..." I trailed off as a tear finally slid down my cheek.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Lena cut in quickly, giving Aiden a pointed look. I

shook my head.

"No, it's okay," I tried to assure her as I swiped under my eyes. "I'm glad I did it. I'd go through it all

again if it meant keeping you guys around," I said, smiling softly at every single one of them. Aiden

wrapped me in a hug and I let my head rest against his shoulder. It felt... brotherly. With him holding

me, I knew that he would protect me no matter what.

Thank you, Aiden... for everything, especially for sticking around with our crazy pack, I tried mind-

linking him. A soft smile spread onto his face and I knew he got it. It dawned on me that that was the

first time I'd called it my pack. I smiled also as I just relaxed and took in everyone around me. I didn't

ever want to lose any of them.

You're welcome, Care. You know I'd do anything for you right? He mind-linked back. My smile widened.

I know, that's why I'm thanking you dumbass, I joked. He laughed out loud and everyone looked at him

confused before they shook it off and stared at me again like I might disappear or break down at any

second. I tried mind-linking Lena next.

Keegan proposed to me... and I said yes, I said as I looked at her. A glint of happiness filled her eyes

as she smiled and started squealing and bouncing up and down like Preston would've if he got excited.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe he actually did it! I'm going to have grandbabies soon. Beautiful, beautiful

grandbabies," she grinned. I laughed and shook my head at her in amusement. The guys looked at me

in shock.

"Caroline... are you pregnant?" Trevor asked as he looked at my stomach. I shook my head and rolled

my eyes.

"No! Keegan just proposed to me while we were at the lake house," I explained. All of the guys' eyes

widened.

"Just?" Asher picked out.

"What did you say?" Aiden asked curiously. I smiled and shot him a wink.

"What do you think?" I hinted. He smiled and squeezed me tighter to him.

"I am so happy for you both!" he said. I laughed and tried to pry his arms off of me. This had been one

day that was quiet the emotional rollercoaster.

~

The next day was Monday. I actually talked to people before lunchtime. I think it was the fact that I was

floating on Cloud 9 at the moment from being a werewolf and a fiancé. Lunch was calm and I was just

happy. I didn't see Keegan till lunch which was fine. I figured it was best to give him his space and let

him cool off. I caught glares from Natasha whenever she would see me but I didn't care. I was the

happiest girl in the world at the moment. I was happy to have Aiden by my side everywhere. I was

happy that all of my senses were 1000 times better. I was happy that I would marry Keegan. I was

happy that he was my family now.

Volleyball practice was a breeze. I didn't get winded or anything. My new superhuman abilities were

awesome and definitely a perk. I gulped down my water as Mariana and Stacy approached me with

sullen looks. I immediately frowned.

"What's wrong?" I asked, screwing the top back on my water. Stacy fully pouted as she looked at the

floor.

"You never hang out with us anymore. It's like ever since you started dating Keegan, you've been our

friend less and less," Stacy said. Mariana nodded in agreement.

"It feels like you're replacing us with his friends and Aiden," Mariana added. I frowned as I looked at

them. They were right. I had been lacking in the friend department lately. We walked into the locker

rooms and I took off my top to start changing without even thinking about it.

"You're right. You know what, Friday we'll have a girls' night at my place," I suggested. They both

smiled at the idea. I turned and shuffled through my bag to grab my shirt. I froze when I heard the

sharp intake of breath from Mariana and Stacy. I looked at their shocked faces and was instantly

confused.

"Y-Your scars," Mariana whispered. Shit. I forgot that they were completely gone. I felt my face flush as

I didn't know what to say. Lying was the easy part; trying to think of the lie was a lot more difficult.

"I-uh... Keegan... uh, found this doctor who specializes in scar tissue removal and got me an

appointment. I-uh, I went a few weekends ago. He's really good," I tried to cover. Stacy raised an

eyebrow as her hand touched the smooth surface of my skin.

"I'll say," she whispered. I quickly put on my clean shirt and a pair of yoga pants. Aiden was taking me

to Keegan's house. He was probably waiting for me out at the door of the gym like he normally did.

"So girls' night at my house on Friday; don't forget. Plus, I have huge news to tell you guys," I said,

remembering that I was Keegan's fiancé now. I loved the sound of that.

Where are you? I heard through mind-link. I looked off into space, knowing it was Keegan.

Practice ran late. I'm about to leave with Aiden now, I answered back. Stacy and Mariana were looking

at me expectantly as the locker room emptied. I blinked at them.

"What?" I asked. Stacy smiled and rolled her eyes.

"She spaced out... of course," she chuckled. I smiled and shrugged. Sure, let's go with that. "I said,

does your 'big news' have anything to do with Keegan?" she asked again I smiled and nodded.

"I'll tell you on Friday when you guys come over. I've got to go," I said quickly as I zipped up my bag

and swung it over my shoulder. Even though I knew they really wanted to know, they kept their mouths

shut and just said goodbye. I started walking out of the gym. Aiden was leaning against the door

waiting for me. I smiled before I forgot that I left one of my book assignments in my locker. Quickly

telling Aiden I would meet him at the car, I fast-walked through the empty hallways to my locker. I don't

care who you are, an empty school is always going to be creepy. Maybe I should've had Aiden stay

with me. I quickly opened my locker and pulled out the book I needed before shoving it in my bag. I

sighed and slammed my locker shut as I started towards the parking lot. As I rounded the corner, I ran

into someone that just felt like skin and bone. I looked to see a smirking Natasha. Her arms were

folding and her hazel eyes were cold as ice and completely void of any emotion.

"What do we have here?" Natasha smiled evilly. I took a step back as fear instantly froze my body.

"What do you want?" I managed to choke out. Her smirk turned into a glare as she took a step towards

me. I instantly took a step back.

"I was the rightful Luna of my pack until you came along. Now everyone is wrapped around your finger

and I have to be a rogue. A rogue! All because of you! I'm ending this now. I'm ending you," she spat at

me. My eyes widened.

"Y-You can't hurt me. Keegan ordered you-"

"He's not my Alpha anymore. His word means nothing. I'm not forced to listen to him anymore. You

know, he really should have thought about that beforehand, but... oh well," she said, the evil smirk

sitting proudly on her face again. My eyes widened in fear. I knew that I could handle her maybe for a

little bit, but she was the daughter of a beta. Surely, he taught her something if not everything.

Aiden! Keegan! Please help! I'm inside the school and Natasha's got me cornered. She's going to hurt

me because she no longer has to do what the Alpha says. She's insane and I'm scared, I try mind-

linking both of them at the same time.

She can't know that you're a wolf! Just hold tight; I'm on my way, Keegan answered back.

I'm on my way too, Aiden assured me. I wasn't paying as much attention to Natasha as I should have. I

felt a cloth smother my mouth and nose as someone grabbed me from behind. I struggled and tried to

push them off of me but it was no use. I felt my bag drop as I got dizzy and sleepy all of the sudden. I

sighed and relaxed even though I really didn't want to. The last thing I saw before I passed out was

Natasha's smirking face.