Kapitel 57: Chapter Fifty-Seven
Lucian dropped his hand from her shoulder and gripped her hand tightly between his palms. The heat from his hands seeped into the cold expanse of her hand, warming her slightly. Serena gulped and pulled her hand slowly from his grasp, and immediately the comfort of his warm touch evaporated. She was left alone once more by her own choices.
"His name is Silas?" Lucian leaned around her to get a better look at her face.
She turned from him and nodded.
"What did he do?" The concern and anger that resided deep within Lucian's heart flowed through every word. "Tell me. What did that bastard do to you?"
Serena shut her eyes tightly, almost eliminating her eyelashes. But the images of Silas and the Blood Moon ran past her pupils in the dark she locked herself in. She opened her eyes wide and buried her face in her hands. Lucian lightly traced circles on her back with the tips of his fingers. Shivers ran up and down her spine in reaction to his touch. His touch was neither comforting nor unaccepted. Just something to distract her from the memories she buried deep inside.
"Serena." Lucian quietly muttered. He wrapped his hand around her forearm and squeezed it reassuringly.
Serena lifted her head and met his gaze. She was immediately swallowed by his warm ocean eyes. Their blue-green color washed waves of comfort through her mind and body. She released the pent-up breath that was slowly suffocating her and opened her mouth to speak.
"I was being accepted into the Riverwood Pack as a member. I had already met with the Elders and had gotten their approval so I needed to get the approval of the rest of the pack. It was that ceremony. Atlas, the other Elders, and Circle were on a balcony when Silas came into the grounds. He challenged Atlas and the two fought. Atlas lost and I was taken by Silas into the burning forest. The ash formed clouds around us as I was carried deep into the trees. I was choking on my blood and the ash from the burning leaves, but he didn't care. He tossed me against a tree and proceeded." Her voice broke, refusing to make any further sounds.
Lucian released her and knelt before her, clutching her hands tightly. He intertwined his fingers in hers and gave them a reassuring squeeze. Serena lifted her tear-filled eyes to meet Lucians and immediately regretted it.
He was completely and utterly accepting of her. His eyes were soft and aware of her and her feelings. His presence was not pushy, but it was not retiring. He wanted answers but in her own time. She sighed and continued with another shaking breath.
"He proceeded to attempt to..." She paused, her heart pounding like the thunder in a thunderstorm, and looked up at Lucian. She hoped to keep Silas' animalistic behavior concealed from her roommate and friend, but the man before her was just that. A man. She shook her head. "He tried to ra-"
"That bastard tried to force himself on you?" Lucian interjected as soon as she spoke the word. His understanding was beyond what Serena had given him credit for.
Serena nodded, her eyes squeezed shut tightly, blocking out Lucian's vulnerable face before her.
A warm hand pressed against her cheek, and a thumb rubbed along her jawline. Serena flicked her eyes open to see Lucian. He pressed his head against hers.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that. What happened after?" He whispered.
"A wolf came and fought him off. I was able to escape and find Atlas and Venus. We figured that Silas was dead, but now... He must still be alive. The thought of that..." Tears tumbled down her cheeks, running along Lucian's hands.
He cupped her face and easily wiped away her tears with his thumbs.
"I will protect you, Serena." He pulled away from her and stared deep into her scared and alone soul. "I will never let anything bad happen to you. I promise."
Serena huffed and quirked a smile.
"Thank you, Lucian." She wrapped a hand around his wrist and leaned into his touch.
A light blush crept over his face, and he quickly turned away.
"No problem. I-I just care about you and want you to feel safe and protected. I am here for you for any reason."
Serena wrapped her arms around Lucian's waist. He immediately froze, shocked by her instigation. His arms hung high above her body for a moment. Slowly, they descended and wrapped themselves around her, pulling her tightly into him.
When the two parted, Serena rubbed her hands along her thighs awkwardly, unsure of what to say or do next. Lucian rose from the floor and squeezed her shoulder before exiting for the bedroom. He hesitated at the doorway, his lips parted. He snapped them closed and turned from her.
As soon as the sound of the door closing reached Serena's ears, she collapsed into a nervous ball on the couch. She scrunched into a nervous ball, hugging her knees to her chest tightly.
She stayed in the scrunched form for the rest of the night. Hugging herself and hoping that the memories of Silas would go away as she slept. But as sleep overtook her body, her mind recounted the horrors she felt and experienced as that stranger worked his way into her life. He had barged in, making a most unwelcome entrance, and stayed there, ever present through contact with what few people she had in her life.
Finally, the dark lull of sleep swooped her away from the memories of months ago. She was dead to the exterior world for hours, kept in the comforting prison of her mind and sleep. Until that is, Lucian woke her.
He was shaking her shoulder gently and calling her name softly as he sat beside her on the couch. She rubbed her eyes and groggily sat up, swaying as she sat there in a daze.
"What..." She mumbled incoherently.
Lucian chuckled and smiled.
"Would you like to check our trap?"
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein