Beastly

Chapter 61

"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."

She drank the last of the water in her glass, dropping it softly back on the counter.

"I ran away on the day I found out he was my mate. Frankly, back then, I thought I'd have died if I

stayed, but I believed running away was better than staying even if it killed me. That's probably why

most people here can't look me in the eyes."

"I..." Gladys choked up, her eyes watering "I'm so sorry."

"Please don't cry. I'm okay now and that's all that matters." she said, still smiling "I'm going off for the

night. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight dear. Please rest well."

She pulled back and set her mind on taking 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 clothes in her room, she wondered more about the things that had happened

between Donovan & Xander.

Keira was calmer now. She had been bouncing around and had constantly switched reins with her to

converse with everyone. It must have gotten tiring since it had been so long since they did it that much.

The warm water felt like it soaked through her skin, relieving her aching muscles as she closed her

eyes in contentment. She sunk deeper and deeper into her thoughts, completely drowning out the

sound of the rushing water.

When 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 under her breath.

Above her were clear blue skies and her lower body was submerged in the blue water 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 no matter how many more times it happened, she would never

get used to it.

Her eyes raised again, expecting to meet the sky, but her vision was blocked by the reflection of deep

green. She recoiled in surprise, shifting back and stumbling out of the water to create distance.

A beautiful woman stared back at her, donning a beautiful bright smile.

Her hair was white as snow.

Her eyes were the same shade of green as hers.

Her long red gown flowed behind her in waves.

And her skin looked like it had bathed in the radiance of the sunlight so much she could rival it.

The woman from the garden. The woman whose body she had lived in in her dreams.

There was no mistaking. Ava had seen her far too much to not be able to recognize her. Her body

levitated about two feet above the 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 that wasn't quite comprehendible given just who

she was and how she looked.

"Ki kunem dio cuta ku." the woman said and although the words out of her mouth sounded like

jibberish, Ava heard the translation loud and clear in her brain

I have been waiting for you.

"Um.." Ava began, hesitant, "I'm sorry, but I'm not quite comfortable having this conversation with you

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

could pick this up another day"

"Xim?" she asked, tilting her head and levitating closer to Ava. The closer she got, the more inches Ava

tried to put between them

Home?

"Yes, home." her hair was drenched and stuck to her body and although there was no wind, she still felt

very uncomfortable being naked in front of someone else "How can I understand what you're saying?"

"Riq uina, ju anem oyi." her brows seemed to furrow as she finally settled her feet on the water,

standing at the same height as Ava "Ki podo ku fukna."

Simply put, we are one. I told you before.

Curiosity weighed on Ava's conscience and battled with getting away and finding 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 reflection that waited

patiently.

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

you speak and hearing something else in my head."

There was a look of shock on the woman's face, before she giggled softly and nodded her head. She

took a deep breath and pushed her white hair behind her shoulders.

"I..." she began, her voice like air, "I'm so glad you're here."

Ava's eyes widened at how similar the voice sounded to hers. Now that she spoke English, it was more

comparable. The woman stretched her hand forward, still smiling.

"We have 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 it but paused just before her fingers could brush

the others

"No." she answered, looking into her deep green eyes, "I want to know who you are. By name."

So it wouldn't be a dream. Both of them being 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.

Having striking similarities to her meant nothing if she couldn't even tell Ava who she was.

"You're more amusing in every lifetime." the woman said, laughing lightly

Her expression became melancholic and Ava watched as her eyes glowed

"My name is Avangeline. Avaline or Ava for short." she introduced, power exuding from her voice even

though she spoke softly "And I'm a demigod of the earth, moon and sky. Quite a mouthful."

With wide eyes, Ava watched her step closer, her hands rising to cup Ava's cheeks.

"Daughter of the moon goddess."

The tears that flowed down her face clenched at Ava's heart despite her growing confusion.

"I..." happiness was glaring as the other woman stared at her, a nostalgic smile appearing on her face

"I am you."

Now the statement that had been repeated to her had a clearer meaning.

We are one.

It scared her almost as much as it excited her as the small traces of doubt cleared away.

......

A demigod?

Her?

A demigod?

The more she tried to wrap her head around it, the more impossible yet possible it seemed.

She looked over at the other woman that had now tied her hair up, her face peaceful as she sat 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 the flowing red gown that her other self wore. It floated on the water yet

Ava noted that it didn't get wet.

"So..." she began, thinking about it, "What do I call you?"

"Hm?" was the response as they turned to face each other, "Ava of course."

"That can get pretty confusing since we bear the same name."

"We bear the same face and everything else, why would the name be any different?" She felt her

temple begin to throb and sighed

"Is it okay to call you Angel?"

"What kind of name is that?" the scowl on her face mirrored the same one Ava always made when she

thought something was bullshit. She wouldn't lie though, she didn't like the name for anything and

seeing the reaction of her other self resulted in her laughing

"Yeah, I get your point but do you have any suggestions?"

"How about we call you Angel instead?"

"Gosh no! I have first dibs to that name. I'm the original."

"Well, I've lived far longer than you have in this lifetime so really, the original is me."

Far longer? Yeah, that was something Ava wanted to understand now. Pushing the argument of names

aside, she turned fully to face her other self in curiosity.

"How has that worked out?" she asked, "Being a demigod? And how come I'm only just finding out?"

"I've been sealed inside you for years. It's not really a surprise." the nonchalance with which the other

Ava spoke convinced her that this wasn't the first time

"How many times have you done this? You mentioned 'lifetime' and that makes me assume there's

been more than one." the calm expression on her face pushed Ava to keep speaking. It was time for

her to get all the answers "Why do I keep seeing you in my dreams? Why do I keep living a memory

that doesn't even belong to me? Does me being a demigod have to do with this power inside of me?"

"Power? What power?"

"Oh come on! You've been here and you know there's something inside the pit of my stomach waiting

to go sparky sparky boom every time my emotions take a turn."

Her eyes widened with her mouth ajar but unlike Ava expected, what came wasn't an answer or a

confirmation of understanding, but a burst of loud belly laughter that had her blushing almost as red as

her hair in embarrassment. Is this what she looked like when she was laughing? She likened herself to

a snorting pig if that was the case but instead of speaking, she kept mute and pouted till the other Ava

calmed down and wiped at her eyes.

"What's got you so cracked up?" she asked, glaring slightly

"You! You're talking about this 'power' as if it's something that isn't a part of who you are. As if it's a

separate entity that you've been burdened with."

"Because it's not a part of me and it is a burden. I've gotten the explanation of it already from Marcus. novelbin

It's passed down and when I'm gone, another person will have it."

"Marcus did eh?" she smiled whimsically, "I guess it can get confusing when you see it that way. But..."

she leaned forward and grabbed my hand, squeezing it softly "It is you. It doesn't belong to anyone

else but you."

"I don't understand." What did that even mean?

"You will." her other self held onto her other hand, very close and holding expectancy on her face "Do

you trust me?"

"I..." she paused to glance down at the intertwined hands, noting how safe she felt. This was her. There

was no other reason to feel otherwise. "I do."

A beautiful stretched out across her face and Ava watched in fascination as she closed her eyes and

lowered her forehead to place on hers. The air was still between them and frankly, Ava forgot what it

meant to breathe. She found herself closing her eyes too, relaxing her shoulders.

The faint electricity and sudden warmth that engulfed her wasn't enough for her to open her eyes

again, but when she did, she was no longer in the grand scenery. She was alone, sitting up in bed and

staring at the flickering candlelight that danced in front of her. Her vision was the same and through the

darkness, she found herself in what seemed to be in a bedroom with walls and floors made of wood.

There was a table with papers scattered on it and on the floor, as she climbed out of the bed, a basin of

water.

Her attire was also replaced by a soft cotton nightgown.

Where the hell had she gone to this time?

"Ava?" she called out softly but was met with no response. From what she felt, she was in a house and

could hear the sounds of movement coming her way. She listened until the faint footsteps stopped just

outside the door. There was no explanation of what pulled her closer, but she found herself waiting as

the door was open quietly, with such gentleness.

With a candle lamp in hand, the person stopped on seeing her as her eyes widened. They stepped

closer, holding onto her with one arm as a soft tendril of snow-white hair fell into her vision.

"What are you doing out of bed my love?" they asked softly "Did you have another nightmare?"

She didn't answer for a while as their eyes stared down at her, but when she found her voice, it cracked

under the weight of what she felt.

"N-No. I'm fine."

The illumination on his face ensured there was no mistake. The man that held her so gently held the

face of another she knew and she could read everything off him as he watched her, gently rubbing his

thumb on her spine. Her heart felt like it would explode out her chest any moment as he tilted his head

to the side.

"Ava?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes..." she took a deep breath, her eyes dancing across his face, "Yes Alexander. I'm just

fine."