Spring

Since the start of the year, three months had already passed. Ivaylo had to adapt to a "new" lifestyle, being pushed into the back. He had to tolerate seeing Kay being close to his Paetyn. Every time she had a nightmare, she called for the Doberman and not for him. He felt so useless.

To not scare his girlfriend, he came up with the idea, to wear a wolf mask. Anytime, she came out occasionally from her bedroom, he was wearing it, to not frighten her. Paetyn's aversion against human males was still present.

With this small hack, it was much more bearable for her. For that same reason, both he and Kay grew out their claws again. Ivaylo adapted his whole appearance and living to accommodate Paetyn's comfort.

He even kept his distance from her, despite it causing him mentally great pain. How would you feel, to not be able to touch the one and only you love, despite being within reach of her? He vowed to give her as much time, as she needed. He promised to wait even until his death.

Together with Marsh, they were taking turns in Kay's bar. For the past ninety days, it never came a day Paetyn was alone at home. Because of her mental state and depression, they alternated staying at home. Ivaylo even took as much home office, as he could. The Chairman was very understanding and helpful.

But Ivaylo needed to leave her some distance between them when it was his turn. They came up with a bizarre routine to keep her in a relatively optimal and not stressful mood. Ivaylo wasn't allowed to enter the bedroom, her meals were placed before the bedroom door.

When she wanted to use the bathroom, Paetyn knocked twice on the door and Ivaylo had to disappear into the hall, so she wouldn't see him. And at all times,  inside the apartment, he had to wear the mask, if she would accidentally walk out and spot him. Kay was always observing this with pity directed to both of them. He had a lot of small talk about all of this with Paetyn. He knew, how she felt.

On her side, she was mostly depressed because of her subconscious mind being too active. The reality is, she so much longed for Ivaylo's presence and touch, but as soon, as she would spot his humanoid face, her mind made her tremble in fear and the fight and flight would kick in.

It upset her, that because of some assholes, she lost the ability of normality in her life. When she forcefully pushed herself to be with Ivaylo, it always backfired. Not because she wanted to, but because her body moved on her own, frustrating her even further. A wild storm of emotions was raging in all their lives.

Her physical state wasn't better. She rarely ate or drank, starving and dehydrating herself. To put it simply, she couldn't keep anything in her stomach and it worried both Ivaylo and Kay a lot. Some other health problems appeared as well in connection with the assault.

The doctors, who had to be females at all times, always assured them everything was fine with her and time would heal both her mind and body. Her period didn't come for the third time. She always went to the doctor pleading for a pregnancy test, always ending up being negative.

But still, it was nagging in the back of her mind. Why didn't it come? Because of her stomach problems? She hoped so. Even asked for an STD screening to be sure, which luckily came out negative.

Ivaylo sat at the window, looking out into the streets. Spring was approaching, it should be the most beautiful time of the year, if not... The line of trees was blooming and dipping the whole street into different hues of pink and white.

Ivaylo so much wished to sit here with Paetyn in his embrace. Instead, he was lonely clutching a book and the mask pushed to the side of his face. After dozing off, touching the glass with his forehead, he didn't even notice the two knocks.

Paetyn tip-toeing with her bare feet, came out of the bedroom. She froze as soon, as she spotted Ivaylo. With a small, weak voice she called his name. He didn't react. Listening for a little while, she realized he was sleeping. His blanket was falling, so she decided to pull it over him.

Slowly making her way to the window, looking out at the street. Paetyn focused on the mask, which was keeping her composure, but then she saw he wasn't wearing it the right way and swallowed hard. The forehead hid behind some bangs that came into her view, then his closed eyes with long lashes...

Her heart began to beat quickly out of fear. Paetyn gently pounded with her small fist against her chest to calm it down. Deep down she knew, Ivaylo was someone she loved and he would never hurt her, at least not in the present day.

Some idea popped out in her head. Paetyn closed her eyes, leaned forward, and placed a tender kiss on the top of Ivaylo's head. It was a step in the right direction. After pulling the blanket over him and without waking him up, she retreated back into the bedroom.

She felt much better, positive, and fulfilled. The corners of her lips slightly turned up. One day, she will win over her fears. She has to! Payten helf her elbows and snuggled back into her bed. Ivaylo had no clue, that she did that, but a smile appeared on his sleepy face.


Kay returned home and greeted Ivaylo, who was cooking some dinner for all of them. After washing up, he nodded to Ivaylo to pull the mask over his face and knocked on Paetyn's door announcing his presence and the wish to enter.

*Silence*

Immediately he barged in. The door flew open, revealing Paetyn unconscious on the floor with blood underneath her.