Celestial Maiden

Chapter Two

    The day that ended Anthonys tie to Astoria started like any other day. Tori woke up early enough to make a lunch for her and Tobias to share later, showered then dressed, and headed to work. As she drove to the clinic a downpour began. All Tori could think was “GREEEEEEAT. The day I FORGET my umbrella and rain coat. Ugh!” It was a ten minute drive from her home to the office. If she turned around now she would be late. She decided to keep going and she would just have to deal. When she arrived at work Tobias was already in the parking lot. As she got out of the car and was locking the door he walked over and offered to share his umbrella.

    During the work day Anthony was blowing up Astorias phone. She didn't answer her phone because she was in surgery with Dr. Cicre. Due to the other doctor being out of town there was a heavier workload than there normally would've been. Tori didn't get a chance to even look at her phone until well into the middle of the afternoon. She had to take a later lunch than usual. Tobias was catching up on paperwork and told her he'd be later to lunch and to just go ahead, he'd meet up with her shortly.

    As Astoria was walking to her car she had had her headphones in and was listening to her and Tobi's favorite band Star Shine Calling with her head down and listening to the beautiful playing of the bass player. The bands new album just came out the week before and she could't stop listening to it. The lyrics to their songs were always so well written and were everything Tori loved. She approached her car and unlocked it . As she was reaching down to grab the lunch she made she felt something she hadn't in a while, unease.

    Out of nowhere a hand twisted in her hair and yanked her head back, her headphones falling to the ground. It felt as if her stomach acid had flowed up into her throat. As the feeling of true fear and panic set in she realized who was standing behind her. Anthony. Her anxiety piqued. She hadn't been giving him much thought lately. She had wanted to end things for weeks, but didn't know how. She was terrified of what he would do to her. She knew she was in love with Tobias and felt a deep connection to him. Next to Rina she hadn't felt close like this to anyone.

    Suddenly a slap landed across her cheek and eye. It stung. Astoria hadn't felt pain like this in a while. “Who the f**k do you think YOU are,” said the anxiety inducing familiar voice, one she had been dreading to hear again. “I have been trying to get in touch with you since this morning you f*****g b***h. You are supposed to answer my calls aren't you?” Another slap landed on her face, harder than before. “Please don't let this leave a bruise” Tori thought to herself. “WHO THE f**k DO YOU THINK YOU ARE YOU LITTLE SLUT!” He roared. “I saw you with that guy this morning. I f*****g saw you. Looking all close with that little faggot. Then you have the AUDACITY to IGNORE my calls.”

    He had her pinned against the car choking her. She felt herself getting lightheaded. She was begging for someone to help in her head. She really felt like he was really going to kill her this time. She struggled to breathe. Astoria was clutching and grabbing at his arms and hands trying to remove his massive hands from her throat.It was no use. He overpowered her with no real difficulty. Tobias and her time together flashed in her head. How easy it was with him, how he treated her with so much respect.

    All of a sudden out of nowhere she fell to the ground. She was gasping for air like a fish out of water. As she looked up she saw that Tobias had come to her rescue. He had hit into Anthony. They began to have a full blown fight. “STOP ANTHONY,” Astoria cried out. “Please leave him alone!” Anthony shoved Tobi back hard and then swiftly kicked Astoria as if he had been punting a soccer ball into a goal. The kick had landed across her midsection. The impact had been so great that she flew into a car. There was an audible c***k. She felt a sharp pain and popping sensation as well. The pain was so immense that Astoria screamed and writhed in agony.

    Watching Astoria in pain caused Tobias to become enraged. He lunged at Anthony and used his full force to subdue him. He landed his punches with such force that Anthony bruised instantly. As the guys were grappling Astoria felt as if her body was on fire. It radiated from her very core out. It was an odd sensation. Her limps began to make cracking noises. Her spine twisting. A sudden burst revealed a red brown wolf with green eyes. At that moment the pull Tobias felt to Astoria was immeasurable. He stood from the crumpled mess that was Anthony and slowly approached the female wolf. “Astoria, everything will be alright. You are safe. You've just experienced your first change. It will be easier in the future.” He explained further, “Everything get's easier, I promise.”

    Tobias got down to one knee and brushed his hand against her cheek. Her now larger eyes teared up at the gesture. Such gentleness she hadn't expected. “Do you know how beautiful you are? I am so sorry you've struggled so long on your alone. I wish you would've shared how much of a burden he was. From now on he will never hurt you again. I will not allow it. I will stay by your side as long as you allow me to,” said Tobias. With a loud whooshing noise she phased back to her human form and fainted. He wrapped her naked body in his long jacket and carried her to his jeep. He placed her in the passenger side, grabbed a blanket from the back, and covered her. He then latched the seat belt and closed her door. He ran in to the clinic and told Dr. Cicre about what had happened. He explained that he was going to take Astoria home and care for her while she was recovering. The older doctor got a glimmer in his eye. “You finally realized it, didn't you my boy?” He said. Tobias looked perplexed at the old mans statement. The doctor added “Our dear Tori is your mate. Because she hadn't transitioned the full pull wasn't present.” Tobias noted his boss letting out a gentle laugh. He then told him “I've known from the time I hired her and she showed up the first day. Go ahead and take care of her. The schedule is relatively light the rest of the day. I can manage.”

    When Tobias returned back to his vehicle Astoria was still knocked out. Anthony was still in a heap in the gravel parking lot. Tobias made a call to the local police department and explained what had happened and that he was taking Tori with him to care for her. They informed him that they would come and retrieve Anthony and that they'd call back if they needed any additional information. Tobi climbed into his Jeep and looked at this extraordinary girl to his right. She was so beautiful and amazing. He turned the key in the ignition and his Jeep roared to life. He began driving in the direction of Tori's house when he heard her whisper “Please not home” He then heard gentle breathing in and out and realize she had fallen back asleep. His house was about 25 minutes away so he changed direction to where his house was located.

    As he drove up the driveway to his house he wandered what Astoria would day when she woke up. Although they had become closer he had never had her over. He lived with his parents and 3 sisters. Tobias father was a doctor and mother was a nurse. They would be at work at the practice his father was a partner in until later in the evening. He also knew the twins would be at school for a few more hours and then after school they would head to their extracurriculars. His older sister was probably at the university library or hiking. The only person who would probably be at home would be their housekeeper, Velma. As he parked near the garage he walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door. He lifted the sleeping girl into his arms and carried her behind the family home to the off house apartment that was his.