Chapter 43: Critters.

AARON. 'Aaron, you're not my boyfriend. I'd appreciate it if you stay out of my business." That sentence rang continuously in my head, and I couldn't shake off the gnawing feeling in my gut. Dinner was roasted antelope, calf and pork. By the time we were done eating, our bellies were filled to the brim. Veronica groaned. 'Who knew meat could taste so gooooodddd." She drawled, trying to move her wheelchair. 'All thanks to Aaron." Helena said, her voice just slightly above a whisper. I glanced at her, but she avoided my gaze. 'Oh please. Anyone can make barbecue." Luna said, trying her best to get up. Even werewolves get full sometimes. I laughed as she struggled. 'Not the way he does it. I'm convinced he went to culinary school." 'It's an innate talent. I didn't go anywhere." I chuckled. 'He's using magic to cook." The three of us snapped our heads at Veronica. 'What? Can you think of any other reason his food is that good?" 'You're just jealous, Vee. Don't worry, maybe I'll lend you mom's cookbook sometime so you could try." Helena taunted. Vee smacked the back of her hand. The night had started out a bit bad, but it ended on a lighter note. That's aside the crippling burn in my chest. The next morning…. 'Aaron!" I was jolted awake almost immediately. What the…. 'Where did all the bacon go?" Veronica whined. 'How am I supposed to have breakfast now?" 'Vee, calm down. It's just bacon." Helena giggled, walking into the kitchen. She wore just a short top, and a short that stopped midway through her thighs. Her hair was tousled, and it made her more alluring. Her big brown eyes stared at us, still lazy with sleep. Damn. 'I'm hungry." Vee folded her arms. She was behaving like a ten year old who was stripped of her candy. Helena narrowed her eyes and pretended to hold her chest in shock. 'You ate 10 pounds of barbecue yesterday." 'It was 8." 'You need to get rid of that stomach. You've been eating a lot." She sat on the couch, rubbing her eyes. 'Is that a new thing?" Vee said, before strutting out of the kitchen in the fanciest way she could. Ever since she was able to put her weight on her feet, she tried to walk everywhere. I was happy, but that meant she could move around more. More was bad. 'Helena, can we talk?" I found myself saying. She flinched, gazing sharply at me. 'About what?" She said, her breath shallow. 'How about anything?" I shrugged. She shot me a puzzled look, and I smiled. 'I want to do something different this weekend. Also, I have a special announcement." 'Let me guess, you finally decided to stop being stubborn." Luna cut in, walking into the kitchen with her arms crossed. I snorted. 'You'll never be able to change that part of me, you know." 'I know who will." She grinned. 'What's the special announcement Aaron?" Helena nudged me. There were strange emotions in her eyes, flickering from anticipation to guilt, and then desire. My mouth watered. I shook my head immediately, trying to get rid of the dangerous thoughts that crept into my mind. My inner wolf growled, and I strained against myself. 'I doubt it's anything special." Luna scoffed. 'Stop counting your chickens before they hatch." Just then, a loud bang was heard outside. I recognized a faint screeching. Goblins. Shit. HELENA. They were everywhere. Tiny little critters with huge noses and ears. They were green in color, some bigger than others. They surrounded the house, trying to break through the windows. I ran upstairs, a little too late. They were already in the house. 'What the hell is going on!" I yelled on top of my voice. The critters were yelling, gnawing at anything and everything they got their hands on. 'What are these things?" I heard Vee scream. She grabbed one of them by the head, and threw it across the room. The critter banged its head hard on the tiles, and stayed still. Suddenly, its body dissolved. Everyone paused, probably thinking the same thing. I lunged for one of them when Luna yelled. 'No!" But it was too late. I had already grabbed the critter by the neck, and it turned around and bit me. Fresh pain steered through my skin and into my veins. I shrieked and fell to the floor, and blood oozed out of my hands. It didn't feel like a regular bite, there was poison in it. And now that poison was in my system. Aaron rushed to my side, his green eyes darkening furiously. He examined my body, and I slowly slipped into unconsciousness. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the noise and focus on stopping the bleeding in my arm. I could hear Aaron growl, and almost immediately the growls of the little critters. I heard ripping of flesh, cries of pain and the heat of fury in the room. I let the darkness envelope me, and I could faintly hear Veronica call out to me. 'Helena……" 'Helena……" The darkness was like a warm blanket in the cold, and it covered me entirely. I woke up in my bedroom, next to a familiar, husky scent. Dark green eyes watched my face as I fluttered my eyes open. I flinched. I think I'll be scared of the color green now. Not his eyes, though. 'Are you okay? Do you feel pain anywhere?" He asked, scanning my body with his eyes. My brain immediately sent signals to my arm. Phantom pain from where the critter had bit me washed over me, but after one glance at the arm, I realized my wound was gone. Just a beautiful collection of pink scars. 'No." I shook my head softly. He sighed with relief, and got up from the chair beside my bed. I ran my eyes over his frame. Blood covered his torso, and back, and his arms were bruised. I tried to sit up, but there was no sensation in my legs. 'What were those things?" I managed to say, my voice strained with effort. He spun around and sat beside me almost immediately. 'Don't try to get up. There's poison in your system." His voice rumbled lowly. His eyes flashed with guilt, and it made my heart wrench. 'Goblins." He muttered. 'Huh?" 'Those things that hurt you. They're goblins." '...." I stared at him, waiting for him to continue. He exhaled, watching my expression. 'They were sent after you. I didn't think they'd take it this far." He hung his head low. 'What do you mean after me? And who's they?"