Taming Of The Beast - 14. Chapter 14

Bastian hadn’t moved from where he sat he had too much going through his head, he needed to think clearly. Everything fell on him; he couldn’t stop blaming himself for what had happened. He should have died on that table the moment they had started their experiments, he should be given in when he felt himself slip away as they tortured him. It still amazed him that he had held on for so long. His mother’s words kept repeating like a broken record. He needed to talk to Mason and straighten this out before things became a lot more complicated and before all hell broke loose. He couldn’t explain it but every single time he could feel his time running out, something was coming and whatever it was it was coming for him. He wished so much that he was wrong, everything in his body kept reminding him that time was running out.

“Your Highness” a soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Bastian sighed as he looked at Hale, he could see the worry lines clear on his friends face “We’ve been friends since we were twelve, Hale. I’d have thought by now you’d use my first name.”

“Something is coming, isn't it?" Hale was never one to beat around the bush. His friend who had been with him ever since they had met years ago sat beside him worried. Worried which meant a worried Hale meant serious trouble coming.

He wanted to lie, anything to put his friends mind at ease but everything he could think of was the horror they would all have to face. Bastian felt his heart plummet at the thought. He had never thought about it before today. Ever since his return everyone had known that this would happen one away or another, those fuckers would rise from the ashes. Bastian knew that sooner or later he would have had to face his demons.

He couldn’t look at Hale without feeling like he might break down any moment. Knowing that his time was running out hurt him in so many ways. He felt the words slip out “Something’s already come”

He felt the empty space in the couch dip “You know what I mean”

Bastian sighed “I’m afraid of what is coming, my friend. It’s scaring me knowing that I’m the cause of the hell that is looming.”

“You aren’t the cause.” Hale argued.

Bastian admired his friend’s loyalty but even Hale couldn’t curb his guilt “I can smell lies, Hale or have you forgotten?”

That caused his friend to dramatically roll his eyes “We can all smell lies, asshole. I just happen to be telling the truth simply because I have never been one to stroke your ego unlike others who wanted to kiss your ass. You are one of my best friends, Bastian and I would never lie to you.”

“Funny, I happen to remember a young Hale lying to me when I wanted to sing in that school talent show. What is it you said..” Bastian made a show of concentration “Oh yeah, ‘You’re very talented, B. Go knock ‘em dead.’”

Hale couldn’t help but bust out laughing “Leave it to you to dig up the past, jackass.”

That’s all it took for the two friend’s who suddenly bust out laghing. The most infectious laugh that everyone had ever heard and it was beautiful. the laugh that reached the ears of the residents outside the room.

Lucian couldn’t help but smile. The rare moment hearing her cousin finally let loose without the worry of the ever impending doom. She felt some sort of contentment knowing that her cousin hadn’t completely lost everything.

“You’re going to be okay, Bastian.” She heard Hale say no doubt with all the seriousness Hale could muster “We’ll stand with you. We’re here for you.”

“And that’s what I’m afraid of” Bastian replied.

Bastian ran his fingers through his hair. All hecould think about was the future…specifically his own but as the days carried on, the bleaker his life seemed. Everything seemed to be falling apart right in front of his eyes and he hated it. Everytime he looked in the mirror all he saw was the monster that he had become. The monster that he had been forced unto him and the monster that would never let go.

Bastian had fought hard to contain the darkness within him. He rarely ever let it run wild. He had forgotten about Hale’s presence until he heard his friend’s phone ring. He watched as he silently apologized while he walked out the door. Bastian couldn’t help wondering who the caller was although he bet his car that it was probably Derek checking up on him again. Walking towards the balcony he swayed the door open and as soon as he stepped out into the fresh air he felt himself relax. He chuckled as he remembered something a human once said about the smell of fresh air.

“You should have told me.” Bastian said leaning on the deck railing.

“Would you have allowed him to come had I told you?” She asked standing next to him offering him a glass of what appeared to be bourbon.

Bastian let himself wonder, he shook his head as he took the offered drink into his hands “It’s too dangerous for him here. I didn’t want him involved.”

She seemed to accept his answer “He is already involved in this unfortunately. You need him. You need each other.”

“I’m afraid of my inability to protect him from what is coming.” Bastian gazed at the beautiful view before him.

She fell silent for a second but the realization hit her like a ton of bricks “You’re scared.”

“I wish I wasn’t.” Bastian replied.

Luciana nodded “We’re here for you.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” He murmured “This isn’t a game and as much as I know that you’re here for me. I can’t help wish you weren’t” He sighed “That none of you wouldn’t be involved in this because I can promise you right now that it will be bloody”

Bastian loved his friends more than anything but he couldn’t help wish that they would let him walk this one alone. He knew that the guilt would eat him alive should anything happen to them. He couldn’t handle it he knew that. The pain would be too great for him to bear. No one knew the pain and torture that he had gone through except those who had been there, those that had been forced upon him as sacrificial lambs to his beast and those whose souls still haunted him till this day. Those who reminded him of what he had done.

Luciana gazed at the beautiful scenery in front of her “He is stronger than you think, you know. He can handle this and so much more.”

Bastian didn’t doubt that for a second “I know that but is he strong enough to handle what I have become?” He turned to look at her “I’m not a pure Lycan anymore. I don’t even know what I’am anymore. They broke me, cousin.”

“You aren’t broken.” Lucian replied meeting her cousin’ gaze “No one can truly break anyone especially a powerful creature like you and Mason is strong enough to carry you. He will have to be in order to mate with you. Let him in and watch him protect you from these demons that chase you because I know that he will slaughter them for you.”

“I feel the monster within me. It wants out, Luciana and every time I try to keep it at bay. I’m reminded that I once was one with it while in captivity. I was the monster and I liked it. I liked the power that it gave me.” Bastian turned away from her afraid to see the fear on her face “Mason’s scent is making this difficult. His very presence is…” He paused trying to find the right words “I’m being torn apart from the inside and I’m afraid if I let him out he’ll want to stay.”

Luciana linked an arm around her cousin’s arm. Bastian could smell the sadness radiating from her and it broke his heart.

“He is part of you. They are part of you, Bastian and while you fear what will happen should you let him out he needs to know that you are in charge. We are Lycan’s and we bow to no one and that includes our demons.” She looked at him with fondness.

Bastian cracked a smile “We bow to no one” He repeated.

Luciana nodded leaning her head to her cousin “Exactly.”

“Trevor has to be dealt with.”

Luciana nodded “Do you want to do the honours?”

Bastian grinned “I thought you’d never ask.”