Dark Moon

ChapterFour

Summer wasn't over when she returned from her father's. Corbin was becoming possessive as he wondered why she didn't always answer when he called her. Inara was most of the time just away from home when he called. He always wanted her with him, and she liked that he wanted her, but a lot of times, she was bored around him. If he didn't have his tongue down her throat, he was lounging on the couch watching TV. Inara was used to being active, and she was feeling conflicted with this situation. Somehow, he grew on her, and with how others viewed them, she thought maybe this was all okay and normal.

Inara found herself escaping more into school this year. She didn't talk to anyone about her troubles. It wasn't in her to complain and burden others with her worries and concerns. She witnessed her mother do that, and she felt terrible for those she got to do her bidding.

Corbin would call her immediately when he knew she should be home from school, making Inara rush to the phone to answer it. He was excited this year as he had his temps and would be able to practice driving the old car his parents got him. Most of the time, he would be revving the engine, excited about his modifications to the sound. Inara wasn't into the way it sounded. Corbin like ricer-type cars, and what Corbin was doing made the car sound more like a fart popping. She would say 'oh' or 'yeah' as it kept him moving along with their conversation.

That Thanksgiving was much the same as last, except this time, before that day, he had been pushing for her to let him have s*x with her. Inara had been saying no for weeks. Inara was adamant about waiting for her mate or marriage if she had no mate. Corbin knew this, as Inara had told him near the beginning of their relationship. Still, Corbin insisted. That night on Thanksgiving day, Inara was worn by his persistence, and she caved. He said he wouldn't move; he just wanted to know what it felt like. Inara felt dirty and felt numb to the world after she caved. Inara's wolf was displeased and growled out at how she didn't stand her ground, but Inara didn't know what to do. 'What if I don't have a mate?' She asked Alexis, 'We have to have one...all wolves have mates.'

Inara laid on her back, broken, as she convinced herself that maybe Corbin was her mate. They'd know in a few years, and perhaps that was why he held onto her. Surely, Corbin's wolf guided him somehow and maybe encouraged this act.

Inara felt numb to Corbin's touch as he was atop her and didn't do as promised. The fifteen-year-old boy was happy with himself as his fourteen-year-old girlfriend was uncomfortable. Inara was blind to how selfish and self-centered Corbin was, taking advantage of her kindness and uncertainty in the world.

After that day, anytime Inara was with Corbin, he would take her multiple times. Inara learned to like it and didn't fight him on it. Inara's mother was even having her stay over at Corbin's more and more. One morning, Corbin woke her by touching her. This startled Inara. He didn't have protection, but he wanted to have her anyway. Inara wasn't comfortable, but he was confident he wouldn't let himself climax inside her. Unfortunately, what she feared came true. The horror on his face made her heart hit the bottom of her stomach, and she panicked. He hushed her as he heard his parents come home. He told her not to say anything.

Later that day, his parents were readying for Christmas and had her helping them. Inara felt sick to her stomach. She wasn't hungry but didn't want them to worry, so she ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she was helping them get decorations down from the attic, she suddenly felt the sandwich come up, and she ran to the bathroom. Corbin threatened her, holding her throat, to straighten up, fearing his parents would find out what he had done. Inara was beyond scared.

When back at Joseph's and in her room, Inara found herself secluding herself more and more. She became quieter and wondered how to take care of what could grow from Corbin and her act. Corbin called her, asking her what they would do. Inara had already decided and told him not to worry; she would take care of it. Inara popped pills; if anything, she might die too. Why not? Her wolf didn't protest.

She did not become pregnant. Whether that was from popping painkillers or not, she didn't know. The relationship between her and Corbin became more dominant and submissive than before. She followed whatever he wanted and when he wanted without any protest or fight. She was not fully aware of how little he cared for her comfort. Only once did she put her foot down with Corbin, and that was when he tried to have anal with her. It was very unpleasant, and she screamed no.

"I didn't even get it in!"

"I don't care! It hurt!"

He didn't force the issue again.

When Inara started high school, she met a few werewolves from another pack. The school was integrated as the Still Water Pack was small. There, she met Joshua, a kind-eyed male. He had long light brown hair that came to his shoulders and light brown eyes, and he stood about 5'8. Inara was just 5'4. They flirted with one another in class, and Inara knew this was very different than how she and Corbin were.

Despite Corbin being a year older, he was two grades higher than her. This was because his birthday was in January, while hers fell in October. So, most of the year, their ages were two years apart. They'd only be a year apart for two months. While Inara was a freshman now, Corbin was a Junior. The school was significant with the combination of the Still Water and Blue Comet Packs, so Corbin didn't hear about the flirtation. Furthermore, Inara and Joshua shared their online information and did more talking and flirting online.

Oddly, most people didn't know Corbin and Inara were a couple. Their schedules didn't align for them to encounter one another at school. Finally, Corbin decided he would take Inara to and from school to make sure others saw who she belonged to, but Inara decided it was time to end it. She got the courage, and when he brought it up over the phone, she told him it was over. She was ending their relationship. He wasn't happy, but she hung up before he could ruin her resolve.

That night, she messaged Joshua on instant messenger and agreed to be his girlfriend. Inara started to hang out with him and his group. Through Joshua, she learned about hacky sack punk emo culture, and he was also into the Moon Goddess. She'd heard about the Moon Goddess here and there, but Joshua and his group would go to the temple every Thursday and would learn how to pray to her and ways to praise her.

Joshua and Inara didn't go past kissing, which wasn't all they did. She learned about his interests, as she had Corbin, but Joshua was into very different things. He introduced her to a whole other world, a world she liked more. Unlike Corbin, Joshua didn't try to change or shape her. He just showed her things and didn't expect her to conform to what he wanted. Inara felt a little confidence blooming within her under Joshua's care.

At home, Inara talked to her mom about wanting to live back at her dad's. Irene was taken back and protested, and a fight broke out. Inara called her father, and he came after some convincing. Irene was still angry and didn't understand why Inara acted this way.

John wasn't thrilled with navigating the complication that Inara caused. He kept Inara in the high school, knowing it was best to be around others of her kind. Inara was just happy to be in a more stable home environment. John, though, had started dating while Inara was gone. He was dating another werewolf, to Inara's surprise. Her name was Cheryline. She was short, 4'9, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Cheryline was very dominant and pushy, to Inara's dismay. However, her intentions seemed to be good. Cheryline ultimately had her dad pick her up from her mother's. Cheyline was a teacher at an elementary school at Wind Runner Pack. A prestigious pack, from what Inara heard her say. It was a large pack with a renowned Alpha.

Inara wasn't sure if she could be comfortable back at home. It was not what she had been looking forward to. Cheryline always seemed to have something to say about how Inara did things. Inara and Rosaline were getting close again with Corbin out of her life, and she would come to her dad's off and on to hang out, and they'd be a bunch of giggling school girls about something silly.