My Wild Beast-Chapter 170: Nova Winslow?! (1)

Time passed strangely. It could have been hours, days or weeks. It didn’t matter. Nova barely moved from the ball she curled herself into on the bed, or when she was forced to move, then on the sofa, hiding away from the world. She wanted to shrivel up and be left alone in her misery, but Bruce wouldn’t allow it.

He made sure she ate and bathed, but he didn’t push beyond that.

The food tasted like ash in her mouth, even when it was made by one of the best chefs in the world. It didn’t matter when she was no longer with those she loved. Bathing kept her human, but it was also a reminder that she was not in the world she belonged to.

After the first day, her tears stopped. Instead, she either sank further into the loving memories of Yoa and the island she’d come to love or let the darkest parts of depression drag her deeper into the covers, unwilling to leave her position.

At times, she resented her Serakai. He was the reason she was here. Yoa was the reason she wasn’t beside him and the others. But the feeling was fleeting. As much as she hated this, hated the unknown about him and the outcome of the island in the Beast World, she also understood why he did it.

It had been heart-wrenching to think their time together would end so soon, that Yoa might die beside her with no future left between them. She understood why he couldn’t bear to watch her die. But she would have rather taken her last breath at his side than live a world apart, one alive, the other...

The door slammed shut again, snapping her out of the darkening thoughts of her love. Bruce returned, muttering curses about people he kept turning away. She hadn’t paid much attention, only ever hearing others wanting to see her.

But who wanted to see her? Sure, she had friends. None that would travel to Isla De Tayun, though. In fact, she wasn’t even bothered about the friends of this world. Maybe that was why it was so easy to let it all go and remain on the island with Yoa. Besides the obvious, that was all entirely because of Yoa, her Serakai.

Her Serakai... Nova’s fingers brushed over the marks again, feeling a crackling, warm sensation. But over however long she’d been like this, she assumed it was all in her head.

Nova lifted her head, letting the covers slide from her face and blinked groggily at the lighting and then at the sea beyond the windows. "How long have I been here?" Nova murmured, her voice thick and scratchy, aware Bruce was already observing her features.

The poor guy didn’t deserve to look over her like this. He’d turned into something like a mother hen.

"Four days," he answered, sitting down on the sofa opposite, hands clasping between his legs again.

"Four days," Nova murmured, sitting up for the first time by her own choice since she returned. Her gaze remained on the sea, the light sparkling along its surface from the vibrant sun. "And I haven’t felt any different..."

Her fingers brushed over the Serakai marks subconsciously. Surely, she’d know if Yoa was dead. Even worlds apart, the bond still almost thrummed beneath her skin. Alive.

"The battle would have finished at first light..." She mumbled, remembering the vampiras couldn’t fight during the day. "But is time the same here?"

"Battle?" Bruce watched her, scowling as he tried to make sense of her words. "Nova?"

Why hadn’t she thought about it sooner? She was such a mess!

"I’d like to take a walk..." Nova needed to clear her head. She didn’t hear anything of what Bruce said, her mind spinning with possibilities.

If Yoa and their friends were still alive, then she’d have been an utter fool feeling sorry for herself in bed. Hope, whether foolish or not, began to root deep in her chest. If they were alive, then she wasted precious time wallowing instead of doing something.

"I’m not sure that’s a good idea..." Bruce answered gruffly, rising to his feet as she did.

Nova reached the door, then halted. Slowly, she looked over her shoulder. "Why?" She asked, a spark returning to her eyes with that glimmer of hope.

The guard froze. He didn’t want to extinguish that spark, but he’d been standing guard for a reason.

"The scientists," he said with a weary sigh, stepping towards her as his voice dropped. "They’re demanding to see you. Haven’t stopped since you returned." He kept close, still watching her carefully in case her legs gave out again. She was stronger now, thanks to rest and food, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

He added quickly before she turned back to the door again. "Bombarding you with questions would be the least they could do to you."

The scientists... No, she wanted fresh air to think clearly, not face strangers who wanted to satiate their curiosity. Nova frowned and turned in the opposite direction towards the balcony.

What did these scientists want with her? Her gut told her to remain alert. Nobody can be trusted here. With a smirk, she hid her wariness. "Oh, I think I can hide from them easily..."

Bruce frowned, puzzling over this woman who looked like she’d seen a lot since the last time they saw each other. "What... happened to you?"

"You wouldn’t believe me if I told you..." She pulled open the balcony doors and inhaled deeply, letting the fresh salty air wash over her cheeks. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"You disappeared and retuned looking... well, like this... marked up, and with weapons... If you told me mermaids were real... I’d believe you." Bruce’s eyes were as firm as his voice.

Nova snorted and looked back at him, her long, wavy, naturally sun-kissed hair whipping across her features from the wind. She didn’t expect any less from him. Still, she asked him, "What of Beast men?"

"Beast... Men?" Bruce stood taller as he considered it, even though he didn’t entirely know what the term meant.

Nova smiled sadly, looking away. "I’d like to go for that walk now..." She turned to stand on the balcony, surveying the area. "Don’t worry, I’ll hide if any scientist approaches me."

Bruce watched her with a frown. "The drop from the balcony is high..." He murmured, then jolted forward as Nova climbed over the balcony with a calm easiness, now seeming fearless of heights.

He froze again. She was confident in her demeanour, confident in her body. The cuts and grazes along her arms and shoulders were a reminder that she was no longer the Nova Winslow from before. Eight months in whatever place she’d been in is a long time for someone to change.

She’d remained in the room in despair from possible horrors he might not understand or fully comprehend, but a spark had returned to her dazzling eyes this afternoon. He shouldn’t let her go. Chad would arrive soon. But he couldn’t deny her.

Within those eight months, Bruce’s loyalty had subtly redirected to her. Her sudden return just made it more concrete.