Chapter 18 The Enemies

Chapter 18 The Enemies
~ NYLA’S POV

I woke up with a throbbing headache. My eyes opened slowly, everything hazy at first, and then the brightness of the room came into focus.

The first thing I saw was Axel sitting beside me, holding my hand.

"Hey," He said softly.

"Axel," I whispered blinking twice. The headache keeps increasing. 

"How are you feeling?"

I hesitated, trying to gather the right words. "I…. umm… i…. I don’t know. My head hurts, but at the same time I feel okay."

"Not bad I guess. You’ll feel a lot better after a warm shower and good food." He said 

"I hope so," I replied warmly 

He stayed silent for a moment then he said "By the way, I need to ask you a few questions about yesterday."

"It’s already been a day?" I asked, shocked. It felt like only a few hours.

"Yes. I want to know if you remember anything before you were unconscious."

"Umm…" I sighed, trying to think. Everything was a blur. "I can’t remember a thing. I know I saw something, but I can’t remember what exactly."

"Don’t stress if you can’t," He said gently.

"I remember the accident, but I don’t remember what happened after. What happened?"

"Nothing really. All you have to know is that, it was an enemy attack. But don’t worry, it’s under control now."

"Okay."

Silence settled between us. Eventually, I spoke again. "They didn’t hurt you, did they?"

"No, I’m fine. I wouldn’t dare let them hurt me," He said with a faint smile.

Before I could reply, someone knocked on the door and a man walked in. He didn’t say anything, but Axel seemed to understand. He turned back to me.

"I’ll be right back, okay?"

"Okay." I slowly nodded

"And if you remember anything, tell me."

"I will."

He walked out.

I exhaled, trying harder to remember. I knew there was something, but it stayed frustratingly out of reach. No matter how much I try, I just can’t remember it clearly. 

~ AXEL’S POV

"She doesn’t remember anything," I said the moment I stepped into Catherine’s room. She’s been upset all day since she found out that Nyla and I were in an accident and my wolf unleashed himself.

My wolf isn’t a regular animal like all the werewolves. It’s a beast— one that is so deadly and I can’t control.

"But she saw you, didn’t she?" William asked.

"It was only a glimpse. She probably didn’t see me," I replied trying to ease the tension but I know that she did. I still remember the look on her face when she saw me. She was so scared— anyone would have been scared. 

"Well even if she didn’t, someone else must have," Catherine said, stepping closer.

"No one did. Trust me."

"How can you be so sure? You were in the middle of the road Axel and those people who attacked would have seen you."

"I killed them all, there is no way that they would have seen me," I said 

"You are so unbelievable! You killed them." She said in disgust "You let yourself get to the point that you had to commit murder?"

"What else could I have done? It was either that or let them live and they would have known,"

"I can’t believe that you are so calm about this! Do you not understand how dangerous this was? You were a beast right in front of her."

"Again, she can’t remember anything, Mom!" I lamented

"It doesn’t matter. It took you seven years, Axel. Seven years to control that part of you, and you still couldn’t hold it back."

"Control means turning back, right? I transformed instantly."

"That’s not the point. You let the beast rise and this time it’s worse because it didn’t wait till midnight," Catherine snapped.

One thing about my mom is that she’s always been terrified of that side of me, and honestly, I don’t blame her. She’s seen the worst of it, and she lost someone because of it. My beast is the worst thing that has ever happened to my family and each time we have a conversation about it, it scares Mom more than anyone and that’s mostly because she’s seen the worst of it more than anyone has. 

We stayed quiet for a while before William finally said, "Maybe this could be a good thing."

"Excuse me?" She snapped her head to him.

"No, really. Maybe it’s a good thing." He repeated

"How could it be a good thing?" Catherine asked.

William stepped closer to me. "Axel, how did you feel when you saw them with her?"

"Angry," I said, remembering it clearly. "I hated that they touched her, but I hated it more when I saw she was crying."

"When you pushed them away, did you think about hurting her?"

I looked at him. "No. I didn’t want to hurt her. I actually cared. I just wanted to protect her." It felt strange, considering my beast has no emotions. It doesn’t recognize faces. But somehow it recognized Nyla, and it cared for her. Maybe it’s the mate bond, or maybe it’s something else. Something I don’t understand yet.

William turned to Catherine. The shock on her face said everything. She stayed silent for a moment, then spoke. "I don’t know what to say."

"It’s different with her. It could be the mate bond," I said.

Silence again. Then, "Have you thought about mating with her yet? We need a child, Axel."

I opened my mouth, but she cut in. "I know, but you have to understand. It’s the only way the legacy continues."

I looked at William, hoping he’d say something, but he didn’t.

I let out a slow breath. "We have bigger problems than that, Mom. We need to find out who attacked us and why." I walked out before either of them could answer.

I know I can’t keep postponing it. I really don’t want to use Nyla to cure myself but at this point, I don’t think I have a choice.