Beastly

"Have you ever thought about it?"

The hand stroking her back paused its motion and she lifted her eyes to look at him.

"What?" he asked her, sounding puzzled.

"About what our lives would be like together." she answered, her eyebrows knitting together "You haven't?"

He chuckled before kissing the crease that had formed from her deep frowning "Of course I have."

"Really?"

"Yes. In my imagination, I've created a little girl that looks just like you, with the most gorgeous silver hair."

She giggled softly as she rolled her eyes.

"I haven't even thought as far as children!"

"You asked me a question. I'm simply answering you." he held onto her tighter and she felt his heartbeat pick up, "Do you want that with me?"

"I do." she replied, nuzzling her head into his shoulder "I want everything with you."

"No matter how many lifetimes it takes us?"

She understood why he asked that. Nothing for them was guaranteed simply because they were different from everyone else. It was more painful than beautiful. Despite this, she would hold on for as long as he let her. She raised her hands to cup his face and gave him a gentle kiss, a silent affirmation before she spoke again.

"No matter how many lifetimes it takes us."

.................

By the time the night was over, her family went off to the homes that had been set up for them, with a promise of having more time to hang out the next day. Ava felt the exhaustion settle on her shoulders as she rested against the counter, her body aching more than usual. She had just woken up a while ago and had gone into the kitchen to get a glass of water for her parched throat. She doubted she had slept for up to 10 minutes and felt warm all over. Her eyes had flown open the moment she had uttered those words in her dream.

All through the remainder of the day and even now, she felt the little thump in her abdomen. It didn't exactly scare her, but she wondered why it had taken so long for her to feel it again. Marcus was the only one she could ask about this and she promised herself that she would do it tomorrow, while they trained together.

Everyone had a changed life now. It annoyed her how it was because of her and because of that, she made sure not to tell them more about her role in ensuring that things didn't fall into ruin. It was too soon to rope them in. They were here and they were safe, that's all that mattered. After everything was over, would they get the lives they had abandoned bacK? Would Freddie & Donovan get back to working in their big tech companies? Would Maria and Ben have a peaceful life back in Lansing? Would Astelle keep pursuing her passion in healthcare like spoke about? Would Cassie open her school back up? And Smith? His family was probably worried sick about him.

Ava wondered how people were fairing with all these key people gone from where they usually were and with a feeling of heavy guilt, groaned as she pushed her hands into her hair.

"Tired?" Gladys' presence appeared beside her and she sighed in response, turning to the smiling older woman "You should go to bed."

"I wish I could, but my mind is running a mile a second right now." she answered, "Is he back yet?"

"Not yet. He should be back soon since it's been a while." Ava hummed. Xander had left earlier because of a sudden call from the eastern border and had commanded some of the warriors to make sure that her family were taken to the homes that had been set up for them. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course." her curiosity quipped as she saw the slightly nervous look on Gladys' face "Is there something wrong?"

"You don't have to tell me if you're not comfortable. I just..." she paused, her cheeks heating up, "I'm just curious about your history with Alpha Xander."

"My history with Alexander?"

"I-It's not like I want to be nosey! I became so curious when I heard you and your family speaking. Although I knew that he didn't treat you good at some point, I've always been curious of how bad it was but I didn't think your history with him mattered much, but now I want to know." Ava's eyes widened slightly at the sincerity in Gladys' eyes "Please tell me if you can."

Her history with the beast of a man. Now, where would she start from? It wasn't often that people asked her about her past with him and it never ended with her explaining a thing, but that was because of the anxiety that accompanied her.

Gladys held a fearful expression so Ava smiled brightly, to put her more at ease.

"He wasn't always the sweetest person." she started, sighing heavily, "I don't feel good about discussing my personal struggles and what he's done, especially with someone that's very devoted to him. He's your hero."

"I'm not that blind that I can't see the writings on the wall. There are more than a few reasons why he's feared by everyone."

"For good reason. I left the pack because, for 10 years of my life, I went through severe abuse; emotionally, psychologically and physically, mostly at the hands of the man everyone seems to ship me with." she smiled at the irony of it, "Although I'm not playing house with him, I'm letting him into my personal space. My therapist would laugh at that."

water in her glass, dropping

then, I thought I'd have died if I stayed, but I believed running away was

choked up, her eyes watering

now and that's all that matters." she said, still smiling "I'm going off for the

dear. Please rest

a hot shower. During the time she had spent with everyone, she kept picking up the distinct smell of blood from Donovan, but when she had taken a good look at him, she saw that he didn't have any cuts or bruises. Then she had ignored it, but now as she stripped off her

with everyone. It must have gotten

it soaked through her skin, relieving her aching muscles as she closed her eyes in contentment. She sunk deeper and deeper

her eyes opened again, she was surrounded by dark water and rapidly sat up, realizing that she was sinking. Her confused eyes frantically swept across the scenery and she cursed

below. How the hell did she end up here? At this point, there really was no catching a break for her. She looked down at her bare body and sighed heavily. What the hell was this even? One moment, she was enjoying her shower and now she was here. This was the second time she had been pulled into this place unexpectedly and she was very sure

the sky, but her vision was blocked by the reflection of deep green. She recoiled in surprise, shifting back and

back at her, donning a

was white

the same

long red gown flowed behind her in

bathed in the radiance of

The woman whose body

water and if anything, Ava saw the woman as god-like. Yet, it was almost as if she was staring at herself. At a version

words out of her

been

stark naked. I was in a shower and I've had a long day so I'd like to go home now.

Ava. The closer she got, the more inches

Home?

there was no wind, she still felt very uncomfortable

she finally settled her feet on the water, standing at the same height as Ava "Ki podo

put, we are one. I told

out who this woman in front of her was. Nobody would be able to answer her questions and now she was faced with the woman that lived in her dreams. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Forgetting to cover the parts of her that were exposed, she pushed her two hands in her hair, staring at her

can't catch a break, can I?" she grunted, "Can you speak English? It's kind

the woman's face, before she giggled softly and nodded her

her voice like air,

Now that she spoke

a lot to catch up on. Will you come with me?" she asked, her tone inviting. Ava stared at her outstretched hand. She hesitantly reached out to grab

eyes, "I want to know who you are. By

here at this moment, sharing this space, meant that she could ask for proof. There was no disappearing and leaving her with cryptic messages. Before she moved forward, she wanted to be sure that it was all real and that this person was ready to cooperate.

if

amusing in every lifetime." the woman said,

Ava watched as

Ava for short." she introduced, power exuding from her voice even though she spoke softly "And I'm a demigod of

Ava watched her step closer, her hands

the

her face clenched at

other woman stared at her, a nostalgic smile appearing on

repeated to her had a clearer

We are one.

it excited her as the small traces of doubt cleared

......

A demigod?

Her?

A demigod?

around it,

on the water, staring up at the sky. It wasn't particularly interesting, but Ava gathered she was trying to give her a chance to gather her thoughts. She pulled at the hem of her summer dress that the other Ava had conveniently spun out of thin air and presented to her. It was short, reaching just a bit below her mid-thighs; a complete contrast to

it, "What

they turned to

confusing since