34. Arabella

Chapter 34

Arabella

T wo days ago when Talia told the girls and me to take the rest of the day it was exactly what we had needed and then some. I was wary about going into town again after what happened at Phantoms Pub on Friday night but considering we were just there to window shop, my fear disappeared quickly. Isis was right that Warrick lent me his car and gave me his credit card for us to go have some fun. He didn't question us going out which made me think Talia told him we were going before I could, especially considering he was standing in the doorway to his office holding both in his hands waiting for me. We didn't stay out long and I did buy myself one cute outfit. It was a black and white knee-high plaid skirt and a black turtle neck long-sleeve shirt to match. With fall coming around the corner I knew I needed to pick up some warmer clothes and I couldn't pass up the outfit when I saw it displayed. I just hope that my mates like it when I wear it, not that I got it with them in mind. I bought it for myself but it would make me happy if they liked it as well. Especially because I have every intention of making some moves on them if they don't start making some of their own. I appreciate them taking things slow and giving me time but I'm ready. I want to be with them, I want this, and a girl has needs. Needs that my vibrator definitely isn't fullfilling to the extent that I want.

When we had gotten back from shopping I headed to the suite I shared with Rhys and Phoenix to find them waiting in the kitchen with dinner still on the stove. Rhys gave me an earful for going off campus and not telling them about it. Phoenix just laughed and told me to go freshen up before dinner if I was hungry, the whole while Rhys followed me down the fall to Phoenix's bedroom, or well my bedroom, and continued to lecture me. Clearly, Talia had told Phoenix where I was as well and he didn't find it in him to tell his brother. Nope, he left that for me to deal with later. I'm still not sure why Rhys is determined to know my every move. He hasn't exactly been trying to kick me out of school anymore but he is being very very annoying. Even though I wasn't hungry I did join them for dinner for conversation and because I felt bad that they had cooked enough food for me as well. Rhys continued his lecture until Phoenix yelled at him. I'm not sure which had shocked me more that night, that Phoenix yelled or tht Rhys stood there mouth agap and listened to his brother. Either way it worked in my favor, and the headache he was giving me stopped forming.

The next day, Rhys took Phoenix and me out to the lake to practice. All day long he put us through the paces over and over again until we had perfected every move he called out and then some. If one of us messed up it was a lecture and then being forced to do the move about a million times before we could move on to the next thing. I was almost positive that the only reason I even got dragged into the practice was because Phoenix insisted. Rhys has kept us out there practicing until well after dinner. Darkness had come and the stars were shining well above our heads by the time he called it quits. He let Phoenix finish well before me, instead choosing to push me in combat for a good two hours. By the time we were done, I was ready to fall into bed. Phoenix almost had to hold me up in the shower because I was so exhausted. With some peanut butter crackers afterward, Phoenix sent me to bed with a promise of a healthy cooked breakfast waiting for me the next morning. I had wanted to ask Phoenix to join me in bed, just to sleep but I was out cold when my head hit the pillow and he was already shutting my bedroom door.

Late this morning I did wake up to breakfast waiting on me and a note advising me that both of them had left to go to their tests. Since my test wasn't until the afternoon I was taking advantage of being able to sleep in, it doesn't happen often and I knew I would need all my energy to get through these tests. Which also meant that despite how nervous I was feeling, I was so thankful the boys made me breakfast. I was hoping at least one of them would be here before my test. I would have preferred for it to be Phoenix but at this point, Rhys and I had created a small type of peace that would have been preferable then being alone. It wasn't much but it was better then nothing, he must have decided it was too late to get rid of me or force me out with Phoenix as my mate. Checking my phone after scarfing down my food I see Warrick had texted wishing me good luck and that he would see me at test time. I'm glad he thought to text me but it wasn't helping the nerves. After cleaning up the dishes I texted the girls to check in. Harper said Isis was getting ready to leave for her test and she was extremely nervous, but Harper was calm and wasn't worried at all. Slightly jealous that Harper could be calm in the face of our destiny I tried to take her positive energy to help myself calm down, it wasn't helping. When Harper checked the posted schedule for our test times, she and I didn't have testing until the afternoon. We were some of the last angels to go, with only a few fallen angels lined up to test after us.

Phoenix and Rhys both were signed up for slots right before lunch. If I was lucky I would get to see Phoenix before I left for my test, unless he waited for Rhys to be done. To pass the time I decided to just go over everything Rhys had reviewed with us yesterday. I was nervous. I knew better than to use too much magic before my test today and risk my magic going haywire. It's important to me to do my best today. When Talia told us my father was behind this I knew whatever my performance was would get back to him. He would forever hold this over my head. Even now, I can hear him telling me to not disappoint the family or tarnish the family name any more than I already have. There is no telling which other academy council members would report to my father and that isn't a risk I am willing to take. I don't need to give him any more reason to intervene in my life here.

Lunchtime has come and gone with neither of the guys returning. I shouldn't be worried but I was. Did this mean that the test was a lot harder than any of us expected? I had no idea but my mind was spinning with ideas. Harper and I had video-chatted about an hour ago before Stark showed up and took her attention away. I'm glad she could see him and he could help her nerves. It didn't help me but I'm glad my friend had that for herself.

Resuming my pacing around the living room, I finally hear a knock on the front door. If it was the guys they would walk right in and not even knock which means that whichever guard was assigned to escort me was here. Shit. I was definitely not ready.

"Just a moment!" I call out, rushing back to my bedroom to grab my bag and shoes. By the time I get back to the door whoever is on the other side is knocking again, this time harder than the first time. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry," I call out right as I open the door. "Oh," I gasp, taking a step back. Out of every guard who could have been assigned to escort me to my final test it just had to be Guard Noah, the guy who gives me the creeps. Just my luck.

Divine, please why are you testing me like this when I'm already nervous? The last thing I needed was to have Noah escort me to this test. On a good day, it was hard enough having him keep his hands far away from me. After everything that had happened at the club, the last thing I wanted was for him to be anywhere near me. If it hadn't been for Stark and then Warrick, things could have turned out a lot worse. I had done well avoiding seeing him since Friday.

"Good afternoon, Arabella. I'm here to escort you to your final test." Just the sound of his voice makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I wish Phoenix and Rhys were back at the dorm. They could have helped me out and gotten me far away from the asshole.

"Let's just go," I answer, trying to stick to only business. My voice wavered slightly but I'm hoping he doesn't notice. In answer, he steps to the side to let me pass in front of him. That wasn't want I wanted either. I would have preferred to follow behind him. So as not to make this awkward I walked in front but picked up my pace to keep distance between us. I could hear him following close behind me down the stairs.

"Good luck, Arabella," one of the female guards at the door calls out as I walk past. I give her a small wave and smile and continue walking until Noah grasps my upper arm and drags me to the side of the building.

"What are you doing?" I growl, trying to pull my arm away from him. According to the schedule that was posted I would be starting my testing in the main building, where a small training arena was attached. The way he is dragging me is in the opposite direction toward the lake.

"Your test was moved," he answers right before I feel something prick my neck. Whatever he gave me works quickly, I am already starting to feel groggy and my body collapses against his. Still aware of every move he makes, I feel him lift me in his arms and begin to carry me away from the dorms and away from the main academy building.

I definitely am not making this test. Damnit. Trying to fight his hold is like trying to lift a large concrete block. No matter how much I tell myself to move my limbs don't listen to me. I have no clue what he gave me but it's made it so I can't move, I can't talk, I have no control over my body. I'm at his mercy, the worst place I can be. Over and over I will myself to get some sort of control over my body. I need it desperately, but my body just won't listen. Whatever drug he gave me is too strong.

"It's okay, Arabella, I got you. I couldn't let you go, not yet. You're mine and I'm not going to share you. I know how much you want this. The drugs will wear off soon, they are just a precaution in case your mates get any sort of idea. We don't want them interfering and causing any kind of issue that would keep us apart," he explains as he continues to carry me further away from everyone and everything.

With every step he takes, I try to push the drugs out of my system with my healing powers. Now, would have been a good time for my powers to like me, but I guess all the abuse my father put me through messed up my healing ability so well that I couldn't heal at the rate a normal angel should be able to. Fifteen minutes go by of me begging my own power to listen before I finally feel it taking hold. Warm healing magic spreads through my body quickly, following the path of the drugs. By the time we reach the lake, I'm finally gaining movement back in my toes and fingers. It still isn't enough to defend myself in any sort of way but it's a start.

"We're going to stop by the lake, just long enough for us to have some fun, then I'm going to take you somewhere that we can be together. I wanted to wait but I can't. Feeling you in my arms like this is torture to me, Babygirl," he groans, pulling me tighter against him.

If I could show him how repulsed I am with my facial muscles I would have. Knowing now that we are going to stop, I need my magic to work faster. I can't risk him having control over me, touching me in any way. He sounds demented like he isn't all there. When I get away, I'm going to need to be careful what my next move will be. I know wolves have tempers and I wouldn't put it past him to have one as well. His actions at the pub were nothing compared to this. I should have told Talia, taken better precautions, anything to have kept me out of this mess.

Terror continues to rise within me with every step Noah takes. Time is running out, I know that and I think he does too. It's either going to be me or him and right now the cards are in his favor. I wish I could say I knew what to do in this situation but I have no idea. I know how to fight, but what I don't know how to do is fight when I'm incapacitated.

Divine, if you could please help me with my magic, give me a boost, something to help me get out of this in one piece. I'm scared of what Noah has planned. With the way he was being handsy with me the other night, I wouldn't put it past him to try to take advantage of the situation. If he did and I couldn't fight... Well, I don't want to think about that right now, I can't think about it. One thing at a time, Arabella. I remember reading in class about mates being able to borrow some of their mate's magic, and I wonder if I can get that to work for me. The book said that mates needed to be bonded which I'm not but maybe with a strong connection I can get something. Even the tiniest amount would help me right now. Without the bond complete, I can't feel any string of magic within me to tug on. Instead, I focus on Phoenix and Warrick and just push my will out to them, pleading for their assistance and their magic.

"Almost there, Bella. You and your beautiful body will be mine soon. I promise to protect you and take care of you. But I do need to punish you. I thought you would take the mess of your dorm room as a warning but you didn't. You went right to those boys. How could you do that to us?" he complains, his hands tightening on my waist and thigh painfully with his anger.

I want to tell him he's hurting me but I can't. I also want to ask why he would break into my room, and why he has such an obsession with me. Never once did I lead him on, if anything I continued to avoid him as best as I could.

"Did you know I took some of your clothes and I spread my scent on some of yours as well? I wanted everyone to know that you belong to me." He leans down and places his nose between my neck and shoulder taking a deep breath. "Mmm, you smell so good."

Divine that is so disgusting. It seems like the further he walks the more unhinged he is becoming. Forgetting the hope that the mate bond magic will help me, I push more of my own magic into my healing magic trying to combine my different powers to make it more powerful and push the drugs out faster. A burst of power comes forth and begins burning the drugs out of my system even quicker.

"We're here, Babygirl," he states as he comes to a stop along the side of the lake and begins to lower my body to the ground. He's gentle about it but where he places me is directly on top of a rocky portion with several little pebbles stabbing into my back. Staring up at him, I try to convey just how much I hate him as I watch him drop to his knees beside me. He places one hand on my bare thigh and begins to slide his hand up my skirt, pushing it higher and higher slowly. His touch makes me want to puke. "Great moon you have given me a gift," he growls as his hand continues further up.

Divine please make him stop I beg of you to not let him touch me further. I'll never be the same if he doesn't stop. I can handle someone beating me and hurting me but this... I can't handle someone touching me in an unwanted sexual manner. It's wrong. I feel violated already and he's only moved my skirt up. With the burst of power pushing my healing magic I try to speak hoping that I can beg him to stop.

"Please," I beg softly, so quiet that I don't think he can hear me. Clearing my throat, I try again. "Please, stop." Tears slip out from the corners of my eyes. I don't want this. Divine, save me, please. Somehow. Anyhow.

"You don't know what you're saying. Those boys brainwashed you against me. It'll be okay, I promise," Noah tries to soothe but all it does is make me cry harder. One hand begins to run through my hair pushing it out of my face, while his other plays with the hem of my panties. I cry harder, trying to will my body to move. I need him off of me and far away from me. "A few more seconds and the drugs should be out of your system then we can have our fun," he leans down to place a kiss against my lips.

The drugs are out of my system enough that when he kisses me I bite his lip, too bad it works against me and he pushes his tongue into my mouth. I was hoping biting him would force him to pull away and rethink what he was doing but he misinterpreted my action. Damnit. The longer he kisses me the more I can feel the rest of my limbs coming back under my control. Thank the Divine. I'm still pretty weak but at least I can begin to move and turn my body under his trying to get enough leverage to push him off of me. Every move I make he counters. He grasps both my hands lifting them above me and pinning them in place with one hand before bringing his other back down to the apex of my thighs.

"I love it when you fight me, it just turns me on even more," he growls, grinding down against me. I can feel his hardness against my thigh as I try to push him away and buck my hips to get him off of me. "That's it. Fight me, Babygirl. It'll make it so much more fun when you submit to me." His hand finally slides past my panty hemline as he drags a finger directly down my pussy, pausing to circle my clit before pushing a finger inside of me one by one until I'm so full it hurts. "Great Moon you are so tight. It's going to be amazing fucking you."

His motions cause me to break. My mind fracturing and my magic exploding out of me to defend myself and get him away from me. Cowering back into my mind, I hide from the world, letting my magic take control completely for the first time in my life. Darkness consumes me, becoming my new friend in this dark and dangerous world.

All around me, I can hear shouting but it's like an annoying little buzz in my ear too far away for me to truly pay it much attention. I'm too consumed with my thoughts, the dread and fear filling me completely. I'm ruined, now more than ever. My mates will never forgive me for this. I'll be rejected once again and right back to where I was. No one will want me or love me after knowing Noah touched me against my will.