Chapter 21

Scarlett's POV

When I woke up, it was very bright around me. I shut my eyes, groaning as the rays of light made me feel like I had been out for days.

“Are you awake?” Franklin's voice came in softly, still reverberating through the room.

I groaned again, remembering the incident of the previous night. I held my head, wanting to sit up, but I could barely raise myself. My stomach was hurting really badly.

Franklin must have sensed this pain. He came over to where I was and helped me sit up. His very big hands were gentle with me.

“Scarlett .” He whispered in a way that spoke to my soul.

“Yeah?” I responded, feeling immense pain.

My eyes were still shut, so he stood up, and then the room got dark.

I slowly opened my eyes to see that he had closed every window that could allow light in. The previously broken tables and walls had also been fixed, and everything was normal.

“Now, look at me.” He ordered, and slowly, I looked at him.

“The lion…” I whispered.

“I killed it.” He responded sharply. “It's in the back of the house. I'll make stew with it, and I'll make some clothing for you with its skin.”

That was when I looked over my body to see that I didn't have my clothes on. Well, just my shirt. I crossed my arms around my body, feeling embarrassed.

The pain I felt in my stomach got intense, and Franklin shook his head.

“What's wrong?” I asked, and he shrugged.

“I… I don't like… seeing you in pain.” He muttered, and I chuckled dryly.

“It's fine. It happens every month.” I shrugged. “If I'm lucky, it happens during a full moon, and I don't feel any pain.”

“Well, what would you like to eat?” He asked, still bending over.

“What do you have?” I asked, whispering and looking at his face. I wasn't freaked out any longer. I felt safe. I felt like I was in the place I should be.

“Whatever you want to eat.” He responded, tugging at my thigh.

“Chicken wings, and maybe rice?” I asked, and he nodded.

“I'll get that for you now.” He muttered. He paced round the room and then threw a shirt at me. I caught it mid-air.

“There's a wardrobe two rooms away.” Franklin said. “It apparently has female clothes also, just in case you want to change into them.

“Okay, thanks.” I whispered, smiling at him.

Franklin started cooking, and I could smell what he was doing. That was the only good thing happening because the pain I was feeling was nothing compared to the good things that had happened to me over time. And no good things were happening.

Franklin suddenly came out of the kitchen, taking fast steps towards me with loud thuds.

I was startled at first, then I saw his calm appearance.

“Give me your hand.” He ordered, stretching his hand out.

“Uhm, why?” I asked, stretching my right hand out. I knew better than to annoy him when he was in such an angry state.

“You're in too much pain, and I'll end that.” Franklin said, holding my palm over his very huge palm.

I hadn't even said anything when he had started taking in some of my pain.

I was shocked, and my eyes bulged as I started feeling very relieved. The only thing that hurt was my hand. My veins got bigger, and it looked like the huge veins were going into his hand.

I saw his beastly veins, and they were huge. His eyes reddened over taking in my pain.

Franklin sighed deeply, then he gently removed his palm from mine.

I was perfectly alright. I felt no pain. The last person I had seen draw pain from someone was my father. He took my mother's pain when she got terribly injured. He had told me that not everyone had such a special gift, but Franklin was one of the few.

“Make sure you relax now.” Franklin muttered. “The pain might come back due to blood flow later, but you'd be fine for now.”

“Thank you.” I whispered, hugging him tightly. He chuckled, and patted me on the back. It felt like I was being babied.

Franklin stood up, and then almost fell back to his knees, but he held something for support. My eyeballs widened to see him so tired from my pains. I didn't speak because I knew how it'd hurt his ego and make him feel embarrassed.

I had my bath, changed my tampons and got into fresh womanly clothes. I also prepared clothes for when I'd sneak back into the Academy.

By the time I was done, Franklin was done cooking. I took a bite of the chicken wings and I was amazed.

“Oh my freaking goodness!” I groaned, slapping my thighs. Franklin had a smile on his face. That was probably the first time I'd see him smile.

“You're such a good cook.” I muttered, winking at him.

“What can I say?” He chuckled. “I am a chef.”

“Okayyy…” I giggled.

We spoke about several topics while we ate. He filled me in on everything about the new book he was reading, and I told him everything that was going on at the Academy.

“So, are you sure about what her intentions are now?” Franklin asked, speaking about my mother.

Coincidentally, Zion sent a text at that time.

“Okay, she was just there for a courtesy visit.” I said, and he nodded.

Later on, while Franklin worked in the backyard, I was focused on the book about beasts. The faster I find a cure for Franklin, the better it is for us, I guess.

I was reading about the several cures for each category of beasts, and they were all gory.

“I'm sure he can't be in the third category.” I muttered to myself. “He wasn't born a beast. They don't cook like that.”

I sighed again, trying to wrap my head around what could have happened to him, since he apparently had no memories of himself.

“He's a handsome beast if you have eyes for good things.” I muttered, trying to connect dots I probably couldn't see.

“He's compassionate, and can also be very angry?” I muttered, shaking my legs.

The pain from the cramps were slowly coming back, like another wave was about to hit me.

“He can draw pain.” I muttered. My eyes widened, seeing a chance to find out what family he came from. “Since there are only a few people that can do it, and it's hopefully not random, I can find out where he's from!”

“What are you doing?!” Franklin's voice came in out of nowhere, shaking me off the chair.

“Erm…urm… uhh… nothing.” I stuttered, feeling my heart pound.

“You should know better than to lie to me.” Franklin said, walking towards me with an angry face.

“Franklin, please calm down.” I begged, standing up from the chair. He had already seen the book, so there was no need to hide it anymore.

“Why should I?” He asked, looking at the book.

I raised my hands up, and I was moving back slowly with every step closer he took.

The slow, loud thuds were getting to me, making me shake at every one of them.

“The Making Of Beasts?!” He read the title, looking completely offended.

The growl that came after it was life threatening and condescending.

“Franklin, I can explain.” I muttered, breathing hard as his eyes reddened with rage.

“You see me as a project to study about?!” He snapped.

“Franklin, I can explain!” I begged, feeling tears prick against my eyes. Then my back hit the wall, and I stopped moving.

Franklin raised a fist and hit the wall beside my head. It was barely an inch away from my head. I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on the skirt I wore.

“Franklin, please calm down.” I whispered, breathing shakily.

Franklin's head lowered, and he was barely an inch away from my neck. His hot breath on my neck made me stiffen. His left hand slowly touched my face.

I had the feeling that if he could use his mouth, he'd have kissed my neck. His touch lingered on my face, and I remained stiff, breathing really hard.

“Franklin…” I whispered, closing my eyes.

All I heard was a growl, and then the door slammed shut. I opened my eyes and Franklin had gone.

I heaved sighs of relief, fiddling with my hands as I stared outside. My body was still shaking heavily , and I might have just felt the need for an intimate hug with a beast.

What just happened?