The Demon Inside Me

Chapter 6: Mate

I was woken up by a light knock at the door. Whoever it was, better have a good excuse as to why they would wake me up so early. I could feel something prickling my cheek and someone's hot breath breathing down on my forehead. Snapping my eyes open, I came fully alert. I could see a sleeping Caiden right above my face. I was tucked right in between his chest like some carefully guarded child. Flashes of what happened the night before came flooding back. I'm glad that the pain didn't come with it.

A soft and gentle touch came from Caiden. As I watched Caiden's face while he slept, an inexplicable pull urged me to unconsciously reach out, drawing me closer to his chest. The warm embrace brought an internal conflict of emotions.

A part of me recognized a foreign concept. He felt like home to me—a safe place I never knew existed. His embrace tightened, and I couldn't help but jest, "Alright big guy, this is getting weird now. Usually, I like to go on a couple of dates before sharing a bed with someone."

As I started to shift against his body, Caiden's chest began to vibrate in protest, surprising me with its peculiar response.

"I don't know if this is normal for your pack, but it isn't for me. Now get off before I scream." I gave a kick under the sheets, trying to free myself.

Caiden grunted in response, his face breaking into a playful grin, showing that he wasn't bothered by my antics.

Suddenly, a rap came at the door, interrupting our playful exchange.

"Let go! Someone's at the door." I struggled to peel his hands away, my voice tinged with urgency.

"Aria? Are you awake?" Uncle Joe's voice escaped through the door.

"YES!!! One minute," I said while struggling. "Just a...minute!" I gave up struggling against Caiden's chest. "Please, Caiden, Uncle is out there," I whispered urgently, "please let me answer the door. I swear I will come right back and cuddle with you." I lied through my teeth, trying to convince him.

"Aria, you have a package! Please open up. Did you order anything? It has no sender. Just your name." Uncle shouted through the door with another two knocks. "Is everything okay, dear? Should I break the door down?"

"What-no! Don't break it down!" I exclaimed, a mix of concern and amusement in my voice.

As I looked at Caiden, a mischievous idea crossed my mind. Both my hands were trapped in front of me, in front of him. I couldn't help but smile like the wicked witch I am, silently playing a game with him.

Caiden's green eyes shot open, and his arms slacked as he tried to move his body away from my tight grip. An annoyed look crossed his face. Taking my chance, I quickly used my freed leg to knee him where the sun doesn't shine, a swift retaliation for his teasing.

"Uhhh!" he groaned, taken aback by the unexpected move.

I quickly rolled away from the side of the bed and ran for the door to open it. Reaching for the doorknob, I turned and opened it, revealing Uncle Joe's smiling face and a large brown box in his hand. "How was your sleep, dear?" he asked warmly.

"Very good, Uncle." I smiled back at him, though my mind was still filled with the enigmatic connection I felt with Caiden.

"I can see that." Uncle Joe peered down at me. "Are you accustomed to opening doors while half-naked?" he teased, catching me off guard.

"What? No!" I looked down, realizing my outfit's state, and found myself in a large white tank that reached below my thighs. Feeling flustered, I shot him a playful yet embarrassed smile. "I take it that it went well with Caiden," he remarked, more as a statement than a question, clearly fishing for information.

"Nothing happened. He isn't even here." Quickly grabbing the box from my uncle, I retreated back into the room, leaving the door cracked. "Thanks,  Bye! See you for breakfast later." For a moment, he looked a little confused, like he couldn't remember what he was going to do next. I just smiled at him, and he at me before I closed the door.

With the package at hand, I turned to Caiden, my anger from before subsiding. 

I felt a newfound curiosity about the small package. Something was nagging me. 

As the sun cast its glow upon the room, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. My vision blurred, and the sounds around me seemed distant and muffled. She felt a strange sensation of weightlessness, as if my body were being pulled back through time.

In the blink of an eye, the present faded away, replaced by vivid images from the past. The walls of the room seemed to dissolve, and I found herself standing in a place I hadn't visited in years—a place frozen in time by the haunting memories that lingered within its walls.

The surroundings were surreal, a mix of nostalgia and unease. The air carried the scent of old books and polished wood, a reminder of the study in her childhood home. The room was adorned with rich mahogany furniture, and the soft glow  flickered from a grand chandelier above. Ariana's heart pounded in her chest, her breaths becoming shallow and rapid as the flashback engulfed her.

"Daddy, daddy! Look what came outside!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with innocence and joy. "It's for you!"

Her father, a distinguished man with graying hair and kind eyes, looked up from his desk, his attention captured by his daughter's exuberance. "That's nice, sweetie," he replied with a warm smile. "Did mommy leave you something?"

Ariana shook her head, her pigtails swaying. "No, I saw a big man from the window. He left it for me! Yay!"

Fathers smile faded slightly, and a hint of concern flickered in his eyes. He reached out and gently took the package from Ariana's hands. "Aria, no!! Don't you dare open it, young lady!" he said in a firm but loving tone.

But it was too late. Ariana had already managed to tear open a corner of the package, revealing a gleaming silver bullet. She gasped in awe at the mysterious object, not fully understanding its significance.

"Daddy, what is it?" she asked, her innocent curiosity unwavering.

Her father's face softened as he tried to explain in a way that a five-year-old could understand. "It's... a special kind of bullet, sweetheart," he began carefully. "But it's not a toy, and we shouldn't touch it, okay?"

Ariana nodded, her eyes wide with innocence. "Okay, Daddy. But why did the man leave it for us?"

Her fathers mind raced with concern, trying to figure out who would leave such a dangerous item for his family. "I don't know, sweetie," he replied truthfully. "But we'll make sure to keep you safe, no matter what."

In this surreal state, I was both an observer and a participant in my own past. The flashback was a doorway to the past—a place where my deepest emotions, regrets, and hopes were laid bare. It was a journey through time, a bittersweet pilgrimage to a time when the world was different, and I was just a child filled with wonder and innocence.

As the scenes played out before me, I found myself inextricably connected to my past self, feeling my vulnerability, my dreams, and my pain. Each moment etched itself in my heart, leaving an indelible mark that would shape the woman I had become.

With a heavy sigh, I blinked back tears, returning to the present. The room around me regained its familiar form, and the sunlight seemed to offer solace and understanding. The flashback had revealed more than just memories—it had opened a window to my soul, reminding me of the strength that lay within and the unwavering determination to seek the truth, no matter the cost.