Numb

Chapter 5 - Numb

Penelope

I had never gotten drunk before, not just because I was a werewolf, and it took two times the amount of alcohol to get drunk than a human. But because I never had the urge to, but tonight I felt like I needed to.

Hilary had suggested that we go out drinking since we had the weekend off, and since I had an all-access pass to my cousin's bars and clubs, I was the perfect wingman for her crazy charades of finding her next dick.

I was planning to lie and tell her I had plans, but we both knew said plans were really just me eating an entire tub of ice cream and watching reruns of Gilmore Girls while I spiralled further into self-pity.

But I took a look at my reflection on my phone and hated what I saw. The girl who was once so full of life and joy was nowhere to be found; staring back at me was a sad excuse of a female, and I decided I didn't want to live like this anymore. So I swallowed the lump in my throat and plastered on my best smile, and agreed to go out.

Fake it until you make it.

At least that's what I thought until I got to the club and saw how many people were practically fucking on the dancefloor. Hilary dived right into the crowd and found a guy for the night while I stood on the sidelines.

I stood there until I felt like a creep and made my way to the bar. And that is where I stayed, sipping on my sixth martini of the evening, trying to block out the ache in my chest and the pounding in my head from the overly loud music.

"What's a pretty lady like you doing sitting all by herself at the bar?" A husky voice whispered in my ear, making me jump. I was so lost in my head I hadn't felt anyone approach me.

I looked up to find tall, dark, and handsome staring down at me, a crooked grin on his face. His honey-coloured eyes glow against his tanned skin. His hair was jet black and shaved down short, the sides faded. I gave him a sweet smile, letting out a nervous laugh. The buzz from my drink started to kick in.

"Just waiting for mister right to arrive and show me a good time," I said, feeling like a complete idiot for the cheesy ass line. He let out a deep chuckle, his eyes lighting up as he placed his hand on my shoulder, his long fingers dancing across my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Well then, I guess you finally found him." His hot breath fanned across my skin, the smell of alcohol filling my nose. I grabbed my drink, throwing it back, signally the bartender for another one. The male eyed my movement, but if he found it unflattering, he didn't say it, so I took it as my queue to continue our conversation.

"I didn't catch your name."

"Derek, and you?"

"Penelope, but my friends call me Poppy," I said, sticking out my hand like a complete loser. Derek laughed and shook my hand.

"Nice to meet you. What you say we move this conversation out onto the dance floor." I nodded, and the bartender handed me another martini. I slammed it back before standing. The alcohol left a warm trail down my throat as it pooled in my stomach. I felt a little dizzy before I caught my barrings, but Derek's hand wrapped around mine supporting me as he pulled me into the swarm of people.

The alcohol started to work its way into my system, and I felt numb as I lost myself to the music and the feel of Derek's body against mine. But despite everything I did to try and forget Garren, I imagined it was him behind me. It was his hands against my body and his lips marking my skin.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but by the end, my body felt sluggish, and my head was spinning. I closed my eyes for a second and then I found myself in an alleyway. Derek's hands moved fast and rough over me as he started to pull at my crop top and pants. The smell of piss and garbage assaulted my nose.

"Derek." My voice came out slurred, and I felt woozy. I knew what it was supposed to feel like when you were drunk, and this wasn't it. I felt funny, almost as if my body wasn't my own.

I blinked my eyes, trying to centre myself.

Where was Hilary, and why couldn't I reach my wolf?

Derek kissed my lips, forcing his tongue into my mouth, and my heart started to race as I tried to pull away, but he kept pushing forward.

"Stop," I slurred, my tongue feeling heavy.

"Shhh, it's okay. I got you, Poppy." He whispered into my hair. I turned my head away, trying to push him off of me; tears burned my eyes as I tried to fight him off of me. My shirt tearing and car horns blaring filled the otherwise silent alleyway.

I knew what was happening, but I couldn't stop it. I was going to be raped. I was a cop with enough training to put this guy on his ass and I was rendered helpless by a tiny little pill he somehow slipped into my drink when I was talking to him.

"Stop, please," I begged, trying to get away. I tried to scream, but his hand slammed over my mouth, muffling the sound. Tears stained my cheeks as I looked up into the eyes of a monster.

"Don't pretend you do-" Suddenly, Derek was gone. His body ripped away from mine. My legs gave out from underneath me, my back burning as the brick cut into my skin and my ass slammed into the hard ground, but I was too numb to feel any pain.

"Who the fuck are you?" Derek hissed, his feet crunching against the concrete.

"Your worst fucking nightmare. No one touches what's mine and lives to talk about it." A deep voice threatened. I didn't recognize it, but something deep inside me knew I was safe.

Derek's screams filled the night before he, too, fell silent. My eyes felt too heavy to open as footsteps approached me. Warm hands wrapped around me as I was pulled into a solid chest.

The sweetest smell surrounded me, and I felt like I knew it, but my mind was too foggy; the thought was just a little too far out of reach for me to claim. Darkness dug its claws into me, pulling me under once again. The deep sultry voice was the last thing I heard before I passed out.

"You're safe now, Little one. No one will ever hurt you again."