CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
ASHER’S POV
The walk all the way back to the castle is a quiet one. One thing for sure is that I’m not done scolding at Astrid yet. Look what she got herself into!
She almost got raped by those indecent hyenas.
What the hell is wrong with men these days? The least time they have in isolation with a young girl, all what comes to their mind is how to defy her.
Five men!
Five grown up men have tried to rape a young girl in the space of three days. That is absurd.
Is the moon goddess even aware of this? How can she let such a thing happen?
What exactly is this world of ours turning into?
“Are… you going to come in as well?” Astrid’s angelic voice snaps me out of my thoughts and I turn to face her. That’s when I realize we are already at her room door in my chambers.
That was a short walk.
She’s biting her nails nervously and I fight my urge to laugh. She is such a weirdo and I just noticed that she always does something to set me on the edge. What exactly will I do with her?
I silently make my way into the bedroom after her and close the door behind me. We both stand at the center of the room and I use that opportunity to stare her from head to toe.
Her thick black is crazily shabby and there’s a few dry leaves and sticks stuck in it. That must have happen when they put her to lie on the ground.
Those pricks!
Her clothes look shabby as well and her feet are bleeding and makes my heart ache.
Damn! This girl will be the end of me.
“Come here” I hold her hand and lead her to the bed where I put her to sit down. I take out the first aid kit from the drawer on the night stand and sit by her side.
This is just a déjà vu. A few days ago, I was doing this same act and here I am today, repeating history.
What could this be called?
Fate?
Tss… whatever it is, I think it’s crazy and it should stop giving her ideas of running away.
“Didn’t you see a pair of socks in the wardrobe?”
“I did, I just didn’t think I would need them” She replies sharply and I give her a piercing gaze.
“Where exactly were you going to?” I ask as I wipe her bruises with cotton that has been soaked with alcohol.
“No… ouch!” She flinches in pain and I gently blow her feet with my mouth.
“This should make it feel better” I say as I keep blowing, very well aware of the fact that she is looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I asked you a question” I remind and she tears her eyes off me and clears her throat.
“Well, nowhere in particular. I was scared that you would take me back to the Black Wood Pack… I just needed to get away from here” Her voice dies down as she speaks out the last words and I look up at her.
I honestly cannot blame her for trying to run away. I would’ve done the same if I were in her shoes.
Right now, if I want to keep her with me, I need to be more considerate and mind the things I say to her.
“I’m sorry” I say quietly and I feel her body stiffen as she looks up at me with her eyes filled with surprised. She has definitely never heard an Alpha apologize to anyone before.
“Huh?” She asks poking her head in front probably to make sure she heard right.
“I said I’m sorry. If I hadn’t said those insensitive words to you earlier, these thoughts would not have crossed your mind and you most certainly would not have experienced all this drama. So, I’m sorry”
“On the contrary, I’m sorry for being a burden you. I barged into your pack and now I’m making you think you have a responsible towards me. I’m really sorry”
“Astrid, what exactly am I going to do with …” I stop talking when my eye lands a red spot that looks like a burn on her left arm. I put the first aid kit aside and gently raise up her hand. When she notices that I have found the spot, she seizes her arm and hides behind her, but that only makes me notice another red spot on the other hand.
I forcefully take both her hands and notice that they are all red and slightly bruised.
“What happened to your hands?”i ask alarmed.
“Ahh… it’s nothing, it’s just those guys. They didn’t handle me with care in the forest”
“This doesn’t look like an injury caused by rough handling. This looks like burns and bruises. Astrid what the hell happened?” I ask slightly raising my voice and she jumps in fright with her head bowed down.
“I swear it’s nothing”
“Astrid, I’m not going to ask you again. Now tell me what happened, who did this to you?” I ask fiercely.
“The maid” She confesses in a low tune.
“The maid?” I ask shocked.
“Yes, she didn’t seem to like me at all. Earlier this evening, she came in to assist me take my bath, but she made very hot water for me to shower with. When I tried to complain, she scolded me. I was scared so I had no choice but to get into the bathtub. She also didn’t show pity when scrubbing my body” She explains and I feel bile rise in my stomach.
How can a maid do this to a guest?
“You really don’t have to confront her, I’ll be fine. It’s nothing serious…” I cut off her words by lifting up the shirt she has on to her chest and I notice that her stomach and back are the same. I close my eyes and grit my teeth in anger as I think of my next move.
That old maid is definitely going to get it hot from me.
She’s going to explain to me what Astrid did to deserve such treatment and after that, I will punish her to work in the farmlands for two whole months before resuming her castle duties.
I gently put down her dress and let out a heavy sigh of frustration.
Why do bad things always happen to good people?
“It really is nothing”
“Not another word Astrid” I command as step down from her queen sized bed and go into her bathroom. Its femininity makes me cringe. Weird bright colors here and there and some funny looking undies.
Girls and their ways.
I make sure to prepare a very Luke-warm bath for her and when I go into the bedroom to check on her, I find her already sleeping. She must be so exhausted after such a long night, but she needs to take a bath if she wants to have a good night’s sleep.
“Astrid” I call as I gently tap her shoulder and she immediately bolts up from the bed like she had being struck my lightening, scaring the shit out of my pants. I jump in fright, almost losing balance. How can she be so hyperactive?
“I’m sorry I slept off, is there anything I can do for you?”
“No Astrid, you need to go take your bath. I already prepared the bathtub for you and I’m sure the temperature will be suitable for you”
“You… you prepared the bathtub for me?” She asks shocked and I simple nod my head. “I … I don’t even know what to say”
“Don’t say anything, just go in there and take your bath. When you are done, you can go to bed, I’ll come to check on you tomorrow morning. Good night”
“Good night Alpha” She wishes and I reluctantly exit the bedroom.
I wish I can stay there and wait for her to shower so I can hold her in my arms all night. So she will sleep in my arms and have a very good dream.
It’s sad that I cannot do this for her, because if I do, it’ll only give her more reasons to leave this pack and that is something I cannot withstand. I will do everything in my power to keep her here with me, even if I have to stay away from her.