Chapter 194 Breaking In
Kristen's POV
"Kristen, are you up!?" It's past 2 AM when my husband bangs on my door, and thankfully I am up, scared of seeing Theodore when I fall asleep.
"Calhoun? What are you doing here?" I leave my bed and advance towards the door.
"Just get away from the door," he tells me with urgency in his voice.
"Why?" I frown.
"Do as I said, go far away from the door," Calhoun orders, and then it dawns on me that he's going to break in.
"No, don't come in, Calhoun. I don't want you to see me like this." I say, stubbornly.
"It's not a request, Kristen. Get away from the door, I don't want to hurt you," Calhoun's yell is loud enough to be heard by everyone.
"Don't do this," I implore, upon not wanting to see him as Theodore again.
And just like that, Calhoun slams his side against the door until it eventually goes crashing on the floor, revealing my heavily panting husband.
He did it, really breaking down the door just so he could see me. He didn't even have to go through so much stress when I could've quietly opened the door to him. Except I didn't want to, and then he had no choice but to do what he had in mind.
For a moment, we stare at ourselves and don't even say a word to each other.
It's the first time in three days we're seeing each other, and my heart gets interwoven with so many emotions; yearning, sadness, fear and so much affection for this man.
Calhoun's shoulders are still rising and falling as he lets out heavy breaths. Breaking the door was no heavy fit for him, but it seems like he's breathing this way because of the emotions he feels within him.
The stubble on his face gives out that he hasn't shaved in a few days.
He could have broken in whenever he wanted, but he didn't because he was trying to respect my privacy even though he was against it. And finally, he did break in, after having my hiding up to his neck.
"You shouldn't do this," I turn my back to him because I don't want to keep staring at his face, scared I'll see Theodore.
"I'm here to get you help," Calhoun says from behind
me.
"I told you countless times, that you can't," I voice out, hating myself for thinking so low of him but I can't even help it.
"Listen to me," Calhoun grabs my wrist and twirls me to face him.
For a moment, there's silence as our heavy breaths mingling with each other is the only thing that can be heard.
Why is the moment getting seemingly heated when everything can go wrong right now?
Theodore's ghost might show up again but I am
getting turned on right now.
Calhoun looks hot like this, wearing just a gray
sweatshirt and pants. Not his usual suit.
We haven't had sex since the night I had my
nightmare about Theodore.
Calhoun lets go of my wrist only to cup my face in his
palms.
"Let's go far away from here," he says after a few
seconds run by.
Confused, I blink, "Why?"
"I'm going to get you help," he tells me the same
thing he's been saying for days.
"You can't possibly abandon your pack and people
because of me," I point out because it just doesn't
settle well with me.
"You're more important now," Calhoun lets his
hands drop from my cheeks, just so he can grab hold
of my shoulders.
"No," I look him in the eye after disagreeing.
"Yes," he's persistent.
"It won't work out, okay? In the next few minutes or
seconds rather, I'll see you as him again," Pain strikes through my heart because I let my own words sink in.
"That's why I got this," Calhoun slips out a mask
from his pocket and holds it up to my face.
"What do you have this for?" I ask in confusion.
"You're gonna wear it," Calhoun doesn't look pleased about this, but it seems like he has no choice. And I
wonder who gave him this idea.
"It has no space for your eyes, but two holes for breathing and one for your mouth. You can wear it
whenever you want me, or you're to nurse Aiden. Our child is sick because he hasn't had your attention in
days.
"You want me to wear this mask so I get to be with you?" I ask.
"Not for long, just a few days, because I'm gonna get
you the help you need. Now, I'm not saying it's a good option, but I think it's for the best. I don't want to be away from you anymore," Calhoun stares at me with pleading blue eyes that literally pierce through my
soul.
I want to tell him he's so good at this, but I find myself saying, "You're insane."
"I know," he gives me a quick, tight-lipped smile, but his eyes are still sad.
"And you don't have to go through so much stress to be with me," I sigh, wondering what I ever did to get someone like Calhoun. I doubt Ben Gregory would
have been this patient with me. "For you, I can do anything." Calhoun tucks a strand of my tangled hair behind my ear.
And suddenly, Theodore's appearance takes over his.
"Kristen..." Because it's Theodore I see, even the voice doesn't resemble Calhoun's anymore. It's that
of my second mate.
In a rush, I move as far away from him as possible,
and then I turn my back to him.
"Do you see him again?" It's just insane how my concerned husband looks and sounds exactly like the man whom I murdered. The dreadful feeling won't go
away, even though I know it's Calhoun whom I have here with me.
"Yes," I reply at last, and with my heart racing in my chest, I slip on the mask.
It's almost like I'm blind now because I don't get to
see anything. But I can feel Calhoun nearing my side, and taking my hand in his.
"It might be tough to handle, but I'll be here for you, though. We'll get through this together," he whispers. And because I can't see him anymore, Calhoun's voice is back.
"Technically, I have to deal with temporary blindness
in order to be with my husband and son?" I say this sarcastically, to ease the tension in me. "You'll take the mask off when you're alone..and if
you want me, you'll put it back on. But I promise this whole...you're facing will come to an end in a week. Mark my word," Calhoun's voice doesn't even tremble, showing how serious he is. Although I can't
see his face, I know he has a serious expression on.
"I believe you," I rasp out.
The mask is like a shield from seeing Theodore's face.
I want to call Calhoun selfish for bringing this to me,
but he's not the only one I see as my dead mate. It's everyone.
So, he's doing the right thing this time. Calhoun puts my hand on his lips and kisses my open
palm. "When we return, things will go back to the way they were before." Calhoun is already going through my wardrobe and fishing out clothes all by himself.
By 3 Am, Calhoun is helping me into the car, like I am
a blind person.
Aiden is already in the backseat of the car, fast asleep.
And I wonder how I'll be able to breastfeed him while wearing a mask.
He might freak out, so not wearing the mask but closing my eyes is the best option, while at it.
I will have to breastfeed Aiden with my eyes closed,
and if I want to be with Calhoun, I'll keep the mask on.
"Why are we leaving so early?" I turn to the direction I feel is his side.
"Because I don't want people to see us leaving," Calhoun explains quietly, and although it doesn't settle well with me, I have no choice but to let it go
"Who will be in charge of everything while you're away?" I ask.
"Bruce, and a few of my men. They're already aware."
Calhoun seems to have things planned out already.
"And Nana Joyce, how will she handle this?" I question Calhoun, upon thinking about his grandmother.
"She's not aware," Calhoun hesitates before giving this response, and his tone is rather off.
"You didn't tell her?" I ask, wondering if something happened between the two of them. "She doesn't need to know everything," Calhoun replies firmly, as if not wanting to talk about Nana
Joyce anymore.
While I just stay quiet because I don't want to press
further.
"I promise you everything will be fine, mark my
words," he strokes my hand one last time, before letting go.
Holding my breath, I nod. Hoping everything will be fine as Calhoun has assured me.