Astrid's Pov.
A light yawn escaped my lips as soon as I opened my eyes. I rolled around in bed, a smile stretching across my face as I recalled the previous night.
“Dane?” I called out, but he wasn't in bed and didn't seem to be in the bathroom either. I immediately grew worried. Why wasn't he around?
Did it perhaps have something to do with our night together? Did he think it was a mistake? Did he wake up only to regret sharing the same bed with me?
All sorts of negative thoughts seeped into my mind, but I knew I needed to gather every positive mindset I could muster. I waited for a few more minutes in bed, my eyes lingering on the door, hoping he would come in at any moment, but nothing happened.
Soon, I became restless and scared. I couldn't wait anymore. I deserved an explanation. Why on earth would he sleep with me just to ghost me? I didn't do anything wrong, as far as I recalled. I needed to set some facts straight.
I pushed myself off the bed and stood on my feet. My eyes lingered on my clothes, which had been scattered all over the floor. I slowly picked them up, and the door pushed open without any prior notice.
A scream escaped my lips, and I bent to pick up the duvet, which I wrapped around my body hastily.
“Relax, it's just me. No one would dare barge in without knocking,” he asserted with a teasing smile. I swallowed hard, feeling fearful and confused.
He wasn't keeping up a gruff attitude; he had been smiling and didn't seem to be pissed. So why had he suddenly begun to avoid me? It made no sense.
“You look pale. Did you sleep well?” he asked, reaching his hand towards my temples. I tightened my grip on the duvet wrapped around my chest, scared that it might fall.
My eyes trailed over my underwear scattered on the floor, and my cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.
“I've seen it all, Astrid. There's nothing to be ashamed of anymore. You weren't particularly gentle last night, remember?” he asked, a grin spreading across his lips as he spoke. I averted my gaze from him.
“Don't tell me you forgot the splendid time we had together. I can remind you and assure you I recall every bit of it, even the look you had in your eyes…”
“Enough, I get it, okay!” I screamed, defensive. He erupted into louder laughter, causing me to cover my mouth in confusion.
“I was just teasing you. Why are you so embarrassed? Besides, I expected you to still be asleep. Why are you up? And you really don't need to hide yourself from me. I really did see it all, and I can assure you, you have an enticing body.”
Hearing him speak made my heart race. I was indeed thankful that, for once, my negative thoughts had not come to life.
“I was a bit worried that you would be gone. I woke up and you weren't in bed. I was a little worked up,” I admitted, my eyes falling to my feet as I spoke, recalling how scared I had been a few minutes ago.
He reached towards me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and lifted my gaze with his index finger to meet his.
“I'm sorry, okay? None of this should have happened. I had no idea I made you worry. You were still asleep, and I had to settle some things about the burial preparations. Next time, I'll wait until you are awake.”
I couldn't hold my gaze on him as he spoke of next time. In a moment, the heated image of us naked in bed flashed through my mind. My eyes, however, lingered on his lips as he spoke about the burial preparations that had been set in place.
“Wait, what?” I asked, cutting into his words. I just suddenly recalled what he said.
“Yes, Astrid… We have to leave tonight for the Bluestone pack,” he repeated, confirming his words once again.
“Why tonight? We have all day. Must it be at night?” I asked again, sensing something was wrong.
“Yes, tonight. It's hard to explain, but just trust me, okay? Have some more rest and eat something. We leave tonight,” he repeated before placing his lips against mine.
I moaned into the kiss, and he left, leaving me wanting more. Something about his actions and arrangements seemed wrong, but he asked me to trust him, and I knew that was exactly what I would do.
---
“Astrid, come along; we have a long way to go,” Dane called out for the fourth time. I finally tied the best knot on my top before sprinting after him. He had a look on his face and smiled as we headed down to the garage.
I settled into the seat and buckled my belt, but then I realised Beta Ivar was nowhere around.
“Beta Ivar? Isn't he coming along?” I asked hastily.
“If he comes with us, who will be in charge of the pack while I'm away?” he asked in a sarcastic tone. I giggled at how cute he acted at that moment; it was nice to see a new side of him.
“We have to be discreet; it's a long drive, and we wouldn’t want to draw much attention to ourselves, so let’s get going.” He ignited the engine, and the drive began. We made small talk. I felt my heart filling to the brim.
This was all I wanted—enough time to spend with him, getting to know him better. I really hoped things would remain like this forever. I would hate for anything to come between us now that things were beginning to get better.
As I was lost in my thoughts , Alpha Dane out of the blue suddenly stumped hard on the brakes, bringing the car to an abrupt halt, causing me to jerk forward.
“Are you okay?” he questioned, panting.
I nodded slowly before following his line of sight. At first, my gaze was blurry, and I couldn’t see clearly.
But soon, I saw enormous grey wolves snarling at me from a distance.
“Let’s turn back. I don’t like this; it doesn’t seem like a coincidence, Dane. Drive on,” I pleaded, but his eyes spoke otherwise.
“You’re right. This isn’t just a joke; these wolves are here to attack us, and teaching them a lesson isn't a bad idea. I need to show them that messing with an Alpha is a wrong choice.”
Before I could persuade him further, he jumped out of the car. One of the wolves lunged at him, knocking him to the ground and standing on his chest while Dane lay flat on his back.
A loud scream escaped my lips as I watched the scene before me. My lips and body quivered with fear as Dane pushed the wolf off him.
He was swift in his movements, landing a punch against the wolf’s side. His fingers elongated into claws as he reached for the next wolf. I watched with dread as he ripped through its chest.
My eyes were fixed on the sight, unable to watch anymore. My heart raced so fast I could hear it in my ears, but suddenly everything went silent. Not a single sound was made.
I opened my eyes, but Dane was nowhere in my line of sight. I jumped out of the car and ran into the darkness.
Just then, a sharp pain stabbed at my back, causing me to collapse immediately. I felt my skin sting with Intense pain.
“Ahhh!!” I winced in grief.
Instantly , a loud growl rumbled from Dane’s throat. He reached for the wolf that had slashed me.
A blunt yet fierce blow was dealt to the wolf’s skull, killing it with one strike. My knees gave out, and I fell, but Dane quickly reached for me.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Astrid. Let’s get you treated,” he whispered as he carried me. I could feel warm liquid oozing from my back. Slowly, I felt my eyes close until I slipped into unconsciousness.
---
Light snores, whimpers. A warm sensation.
Those were the first things I heard and felt as soon as I woke from my slumber. I woke slowly and felt the pain in my back, although it didn’t seem as intense as it had been. My eyes moved around, only to see that I was back in the pack, in Dane’s room.
The warm sensation was from Dane. He held onto my hand firmly. He was fast asleep, looking horrible. The blood-stained shirt he wore was still on him; he didn’t look like he had slept all night and must have fallen asleep recently.
Slowly, I pulled my hand from his grip, but his eyes opened immediately.
“It’s fine; it’s me,” I whispered.
“Astrid, thank goodness you’re awake. Does it still hurt? Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded and managed a reassuring but faint smile in response to his questions.
“I’m fine, but you need to get dressed. We have to leave.”
“Leave?” he asked, cutting into my words. I shook my head, knowing he wouldn’t like the words I intended to say next.
“Yes, Dane, I have to leave. I really cannot miss the burial; we’d be late if we don’t leave now,” I added, but the frown on his face bothered me.
“We were attacked last night, Astrid. You were injured; you almost died.”
I watched as he spoke. “Almost dying” seemed like an exaggeration, but I knew he was keen on putting my safety first.
“I know you’re worried, but this is one thing I have to do. Please, we’ll be fine. Just do this for me,” I pleaded, locking my eyes with his. He held up a brief silence before finally nodding in response.
“I’m sure Camilla is behind this.”