TRENT
"I bet she'd be fine," I said to myself with a smile on my face while walking through the crowds at night.
Evolet was feeling lonely and needed someone to stay with her. I would have done that, but it's important for me to step out and attend to something else. Besides, my presence won't make her satisfied. That's why I gave her that tip about Cadell to keep her busy.
It's him she wants, but she keeps ignoring the truth.
"Evolet," I chuckled, getting deeper into the pack.
I know this route doesn't lead to the forest. I'm not really heading back to my pack for any important work, but to Derby's.
She's been staying at her place all by herself with no one to talk to, so I decided to come over and spend the night with her.
On getting closer to the apartment, I noticed a lady at the corner, struggling and hitting a man.
I thought they were just a couple having an argument, but I became clear to the truth when I drew closer to the entrance of the building. The lady's voice… It sounded familiar. And her scent… "Derby?"
Quickly, I looked into the corner and got a clearer view with my Cat eyes. It was indeed Derby! She was arguing with… "That bloody bastard!" I groaned on recognizing that ungrateful brother of hers, who was trying to assert his dominance over Derby!
"Don't touch me!" she yelled, punching him right in the face. And the animal sparked, raising his hand to hit Derby!
Swiftly, I rushed right behind him, pulled him back with force, and tossed him to the ground!
Derby was astonished at first, but gave out a heave of relief when she saw me. "Trent!" she called, hiding behind my back to complain. "He wants to force me back to that house. He threatened to destroy my place if I stand against him!"
"We control your life, you rat!" Her brother sparked while rising from the floor. He glared and snarled, pointing his finger at me, "It's you again. How dare you toss me aside with those dirty hands of yours?!"
"You mean the same dirty hands that will beat you to nothing, if you don't get the hell out of this place?" I glowered, protecting Derby.
When he saw this, he became mad and vented out at me, "Get out of my way, you Bum! She's coming with me!"
He stormed at me and tried to shove me away with force!
With a quick reflex, I grabbed and bent his hand to the back, before my right arm wrapped the neck of this relentless man, and placed him in a chokehold.
He tried to throw me off, but it only increased the pressure, making him struggle for some air.
I watched how he slowly fell on his knees, gagging and struggling to breathe.
The temptation to end him was eating me up, but I had to let go when I saw how Derby stared at me, looking lost.
He's her brother. It'll feel terrifying to watch someone strangling him right before your eyes.
Her brother fell to the ground like a coward, crawling and heaving heavily. He took a look back at me and said, "You will pay for this."
"You still have the mouth to talk?" I growled, making an attempt to get him, but Derby took hold of my hand, stopping me from attacking her brother.
"Just let him go… for now," She uttered, fixing her eyes on the coward, who began to stagger into the night.
"Let's go inside," I suggested, holding Derby's hand and heading into the apartment.
When we got to her room, Derby sat on the bed worriedly and said, "He followed me. I went out to get some food stuffs and that jackass saw me. I didn't know until I was inside the house and someone came knocking."
From her tone, I could tell she was scared when her brother showed up.
"That crazy man dragged me out and tried to force me back to that prison called a house! I'm so glad you showed up. You don't know how happy I am to see you," she confessed with a smile, staring right at me.
The glow on her face bloomed my heart. I sat beside Derby and apologized for what occurred outside. "I wish I showed up earlier to stop that nonsense from happening. If it weren't for you, I would have held him down until he gasped out his last breathe." I stamped my hand on my lap, feeling the rage inside of me. "But he's your brother and I don't want to stir up any problem for you."
"Between me and you, Trent…" Derby reached for my hand and locked it in her hold, saying while dropping her head on my shoulder, "I really wanted to see that asshole choke to death and out of this world for good."
"Really?" I turned to look at her face, just to see a devious smile spreading across her lips.
"I know you stopped because of me. You were considering my feelings and didn't want me witnessing something like that. But trust me, Trent… I would have been the most happiest person in the world, if that jackass gave up. But that will get you into trouble, and I don't want that."
She cuddled closely, showing her concern for me.
"I hate that family so much. They keep reminding me that they brought me into this world, expecting me to own up to them for every thing! God, I wish they would all just sleep and never wake up," she said, letting go off me and falling back into bed, with her arms wide spread.
And here I thought I went overboard with my own wish. "The hate is deep. I get you."
"That man and his parents have been nothing but pain to me for years. So greedy and selfish," she sighed, swaying her head.
"His parents?" I picked, finding that statement amusing.
And I'm glad that I pointed that out.
"Theodore and I are just cousins. We aren't siblings," Derby shared, stunning me.
"Those oldies are my Uncle and Aunt. They took care of me after I lost my parents at a young age."
"Hold on, wait… But your mother, I mean Aunt. She said they brought you into this world," I reminded Derby, recalling the aggression that woman had on her face when Derby refused the marriage proposal.
Derby smirked and responded, looking at me, "She didn't give birth to me. They just like to use that statement to remind me of how they saved me from dying. To them, they are my god. But I don't believe that crap."
She chuckled, rising to her feet with her arms stretched out. "I'm hungry. Let's eat. Oh! You're in luck, because I made something nice," she jubilated, hurrying to the kitchen.
This conversation isn't over. It's like Derby doesn't want to talk about the past.
But… I want to know. I'm curious to know.
I followed Derby into the kitchen and grabbed her by the arm. She turned around to look me, putting on a smile to hide her feelings. "Looks like you're way hungrier than me, Trent," she laughed.
"I thought tonight was going to be about Derby, but now she has a roomie! Sleepover!" She cheered, giggling out.
Still… "Derby… Can you share your past with me? Please," I requested calmly, staring into her eyes.
Deep in her gaze, she wasn't okay with the topic, but after a brief silence, she sighed out and began to speak, leaning against the wall.
It turns out that Derby was in an accident with her parents when she was a little girl. Her father, who's related to her greedy Uncle, was a wealthy man with class back then. But after his death, his brother took Derby in and promised to watch over her.
"He thought I was dumb to remember the past and how he squandered my parents money on his own family. He took advantage of my helplessness at the hospital, and acted like my savior. That family… They robbed me of my right and happiness. I became their puppet!"
The anger was visible. She's extremely furious.
"Dumb and useless… they spent all the money and decided to set me up for their future plans, by planning my marriage with any wealthy man who's capable of lavishing them with wealth when they want. When they heard the Alpha wants a bride, they forced me into the Luna's game, reminding me of their so-called help! And now that the Queen has made a rematch, they sent Theodore to kidnap me! I hate them!" Derby roared, almost slamming her hands on the wall.
But she stopped and just broke into tears, burying herself right on me.
"I just want to have a normal life. Is that too much to ask?"
"Hey, it's okay." I pacified her, wrapping my arms around her body for a tight embrace. "You have every right to live your life. No one can control you, not even those fraudsters."
She sniffed in my hold, squeezing me closely.
I felt hurt on learning about Derby's past. It made me desperate to get back at those nasty people who robbed her of all the happiness she wanted. And… I'm going to do it.
Cupping her face, I said, "You don't have to worry about them, any more. You now have me, Evolet, and Cadell. We're your family now, okay?" I smiled, wiping the tears off her eyes.
Her lips broke into a grin, as she giggled with a nod, replying to my words, "Okay. You guys are indeed my buddies. Thanks for everything… Trent."
"Anytime."I roughened her hair to cheer her up.
.
After dinner, we sat together to watch one of Derby's favorite movies. But the host began to doze off, dropping her head on my shoulder.
When I saw this, I carefully lifted her into my arms and placed her in bed.
"The movie isn't over," she mumbled, holding an imaginary remote in her hand. "Wait for the ending… it's good," she said, taking hold of my hand to cuddle with.
To pull away became a problem. Not because she held it, but due to how adorable she looked while snuggling with my hand.
I felt this tingling sensation that overwhelms me whenever I was with Derby as Kitty. It kicked in, forcing me to fondle myself beside her. It's my Cat sense, and it enjoys snuggling with Derby, feeling her warmth.
I gradually gave in and slept that way, giving her the comfort she deserves.