Chapter 21
Kaeleen's POV
"I'll get a first aid kit," I said.
I turned to leave, but then I paused. I didn't even know where the first aid supplies were kept.
I had no idea where I could get a first aid kit but I was going to find one. I was so preoccupied with the thought that I had no idea someone was even in the hallway.
I bumped into Rebecca, her eyes widening in surprise. "Kaeleen?" She called out with a frown.
"What are you doing out here?" She asked me.
"I could ask you the same thing." I said to her,
She sighed. "I needed some air." She told me.
There was something going on with her. I could tell from her posture and normally, I'd bug her until she opened up but Joe, I needed to help Astrid. Astrid was a priority.
"I need a first aid kit," I said. "It's important."
Rebecca frowned. "What do you need it for?" she asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Who's hurt?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain. "It's Astrid," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "She's in my room, and she's injured."
Rebecca's eyes widened in surprise. "Astrid? What happened? How did she get hurt?"
"I don't know," I said, shaking my head. "I just…I just need to help her."
Rebecca's expression softened, and she nodded. "I'm not sure Alex travelled with a first aid kit and with the way we are being treated here, I don't know if we can get one but I'll try." She said to me,
I gave her a nod. Rebecca turned and I followed as she made her way to another room. She knocked softly and we waited for what felt like an eternity before the person opened the door.
I watched as Rebecca charmed this woman who looked like she was into my sister. Within minutes, the first aid kit was in our hands.
"What did you just do?" I asked Rebecca once we were out of earshot.
"Turn on my charms to get what I want."
"That woman know you are carrying someone else's sperm?" I asked her.
"She has eyes right? And besides, it's just harmless flirting." She said to me, "We got what we wanted right?"
I chuckled. "Thanks for your help. I can take it from here." I told her.
She gave me an eyeroll. "Like you know anything about first aid. Fuck off, I'll help Astrid myself before you kill her." She told me.
"What?" I asked her. "I helped to tend to your wounds when we were younger." I told her but she ignored me, walking faster to my room.
When we entered, Astrid was still standing near the door, her eyes darting around the room.
Rebecca gasped when she saw Astrid's injuries. "Oh, my God," she said, her voice filled with shock. "What happened to you?"
Astrid flinched at Rebecca's words, her eyes filling with tears. "It's okay," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm okay."
"No, you're not okay," Rebecca said, her voice firm. "You need medical attention. "
Rebecca gently guided Astrid to the bed, helping her sit down. She examined Astrid's injuries, her expression growing more concerned with each passing moment.
"These are more than just scratches," Rebecca said, her voice grave. "You need to see a doctor. I'm sure there's one in the pack."
Astrid shook her head, her eyes filled with fear. "No," she said, her voice barely audible. "I don't want to see a doctor. I'll be fine."
"Astrid, you need to let someone examine you," Rebecca said, her voice gentle but firm. "These injuries look serious."
I stepped forward, my voice filled with concern. "Astrid, Rebecca's right," I said, my voice gentle. "We need to make sure you're okay."
Astrid looked at me, her eyes pleading. "Please, Kaeleen," she said, her voice trembling. "I don't want to see a doctor. Can't you just help me?"
Rebecca sighed. "Okay," she said, her voice resigned. "I'll clean up her wounds and bandage them, but if she starts to feel worse, we're going to the doctor, no arguments. And fuck whoever tries to stop us."
"She's all patched up," Rebecca said as she stood up, her voice tired.
"Thank you." I said to her gratefully.
The work she had just done was one that I was sure I would t be able to do without feeling like I wanted to kill the person responsible for this.
Rebecca approached me and whispered. "But she needs rest. And she still needs to see a doctor."
"I know," I said, my voice filled with concern. "I'll try to convince her."
"Good," Rebecca said, nodding. "Now, I'm going back to my room. We'll talk in the morning."
"Thank you, Rebecca," I said, my voice sincere. "I don't know what I would have done without you."
Rebecca smiled. "Awwn, are you just realising that you are nothing without me?" She asked with a laugh.
I scoffed. "Fuck off."
"See ya." She said to me and turned to Astrid. "If he does anything to make you angry, come to me immediately, okay?"
"Why would you say that?" I asked her in shock.
Rebecca gave me a look. "You have a tendency to get people angry. Just seeing your face is annoying me at this moment."
"Get out." I said to Rebecca.
"Goodnight little brother." She said as she blew me a kiss which I made sure didn't touch me.
Once Rebecca left, k turned to face Astrid. She was lying on the bed, her eyes closed, her face pale.
"Hey," I said, my voice soft. "How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she said, her voice barely audible. "And sore."
"I know," I said,"But you're safe now. You're here with me."
I helped her get comfortable, adjusting the pillows and pulling the blankets up around her. I wanted to make sure she felt as safe and secure as possible.
"Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?" I asked, my voice gentle.
She shook her head, her eyes closing again. "Just stay with me," she whispered, her voice filled with exhaustion.
"Of course," I said, my voice soft. "I'm not going anywhere."
I sat there for a long time, just holding her hand, watching her sleep. After a while, I realized that she probably needed a bath and a change of clothes. Her dress was torn and dirty, and I knew she wouldn't be comfortable sleeping in it.
I gently woke her up, my voice soft and soothing. "Astrid," I said, my voice gentle. "I think you should take a bath and change into something clean. You'll feel much better."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay," she said, her voice barely audible.
I helped her into the bathroom, where she showered. I made sure the water was warm and soothing, hoping it would help ease her pain.
After a while, I knocked on the door, asking if she was ready to come out. She said yes, so I helped her out of the shower.
I didn't have any clothes for her to wear, since her dress was ruined. I thought for a moment, then grabbed one of my shirts from the closet.
"Here," I said, handing her the shirt. "This is the best I can do for now. I'll get you something better to wear in the morning."
She took the shirt. "Thank you, Kaeleen," she said, her voice soft.
I helped her put on the shirt, making sure it covered her properly. It was big and baggy on her, but it was better than nothing. And I liked seeing her in my shirt. How was she so fucking sexy right now?
I led her back to the bed, helping her lie down and get comfortable. I pulled the blankets up around her, making sure she was warm and cozy.
I sat down beside her, my heart aching with concern. I wanted to ask her what had happened, to find out who had hurt her, but I didn't want to pressure her. I knew she needed time to heal, both physically and emotionally.
Before I could say anything, Astrid spoke up, her voice soft and hesitant. "I didn't plan on making you wait so long," she said, her eyes filled with sadness. "I already knew I wasn't accepted in the pack anymore. I was clinging to a false hope, a false sense of belonging, of wanting something for myself."
She paused, taking a deep breath. "I already planned on leaving the Moonshade pack," she continued, her voice barely audible. "There's no place for me there."
I was quiet, taking in her words. I was elated that she had decided to come with me, to join my pack, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it was because of what had happened.
"What happened, Astrid?" I asked, my voice gentle. "How did you get injured?"
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes filled with pain. Then, she whispered a single name, a name that sent a surge of rage coursing through my veins.
"Leon," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
That was all it took. I stood up abruptly, my fists clenching, my body trembling with anger. I couldn't believe that Leon had hurt her, and had dared to lay a hand on her. I didn't even need to know the full story. As far as he was involved I was going to deal with him.
I was about to storm out of the room, to go and confront Leon, to make him pay for what he had done. But then, Astrid reached out and grabbed my arm, her touch gentle but firm.
"Kaeleen, stop," she said, her voice pleading. "Pull yourself together. I'm okay. Please, don't do anything rash."
"You are not okay. You are hurt." I pointed out to her.
"This is nothing. I've been in worse situations." She said to me.
As if that would soothe my anger. Knowing that she had been in worse situations made me build more.
"What did that bastard do, Astrid?" I asked her, barely containing my anger.