DANE'S POV.
A loud yawn escaped my lips as I slowly blinked awake, my eyelids heavy with sleep.
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room.
I stretched out my hand, searching the bed beside me for the familiar warmth of Astrid, but my fingers only met cold sheets. She wasn't there.
A pang of loneliness settled in my chest as I remembered the events of the previous night. The memories were still fresh, the pain of it all almost unbearable.
I had almost managed to forget how terrible it had been, but now it came rushing back with a cruel clarity.
The battle, the blood, the fear, the baby; it all played in my mind like a haunting melody.
With a sigh, I pushed myself up from the bed, the weight of exhaustion still clinging to my muscles.
My eyes drifted down to my side, where the deep gash had been. The stitches were barely visible now, the wound almost completely healed.
It was a small comfort, a recollection of my werewolf nature. Being an alpha had its perks; my body healed faster than most.
But even as the physical pain faded, the emotional scars remained, knowing that my mate had a child for Halfdan. Or maybe I was wrong? I knew they would take much longer to heal.
After realising the full moon was only three days away, I hurried back home last night. The ticking clock of that cursed night loomed over me, reminding me of the dangers that came with it.
I couldn’t risk letting my wolf spiral out of control, especially with the curse still lurking in my blood.
The thought of my wolf hurting someone else, of losing myself to the beast, was unbearable.
I couldn’t live with the guilt of causing harm, of being responsible for whatever horrors might unfold.
With a heavy heart, I dragged myself off the bed, feeling even more devastated than I had the night before.
The weight of what was coming pressed down on me, making each movement feel like a struggle.
Knowing that I had only a few days left to prepare filled me with dread. I needed to stay away from Astrid, to protect her and keep her safe until the full moon had passed.
There was no room for error; she was my priority now.
I made my way to the bathroom, seeking a brief moment of peace. As I leaned back in the tub, warm water enveloped me, soothing my tired muscles.
The sweet scent of the soap filled the air, providing me with a small measure of comfort, a temporary escape from the rage in my mind.
But despite the warmth of the bath, I couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at me.
My thoughts drifted back to the previous night, the events replaying in my mind like a broken record.
I had a lot to deal with, a lot of blood to scrub clean from my skin.
The sight of it had been burned into my memory.
I had to wash it all away, every drop of blood that had stained my body; a grim sight that felt almost futile.
A deep frown settled on my face as the fight with Halfdan came rushing back.
I should have ended him right then and there, should have killed him instead of just beating him to a pulp.
The thought gnawed at me, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. But at least I had men stationed on the grounds now, ready to protect Astrid.
But even though I kept my men stationed nearby, I made sure they stayed clear of Astrid’s room.
The last thing I wanted was for her to wake up and see how heavily guarded she was. The sight of armed men surrounding her would only add to her fears, and I couldn’t bear to see that look in her eyes. Still, I wasn’t taking any chances.
I instructed my men to stay on high alert, prepared for anything, especially after the recent attempt on her life.
After scrubbing every last trace of blood from my skin, I pulled myself out of the bathtub, the warmth of the water slowly dissipating as I stepped into the cool air.
I wrapped a towel around my body, the soft fabric clinging to my damp skin. My thoughts were still racing, but the simple act of cleaning up had helped clear my mind a little.
I made my way back to the bedroom, where I began rummaging through the closet for something to wear.
The familiar scent of the clothes provided a small comfort, grounding me as I searched for an outfit that would suit the day.
Just as I was about to make a decision, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, drawing my attention away from the closet.
“Who is it?” I called out, my voice steady but alert.
“It’s me,” came the familiar voice from the other side of the door.
“Come in,” I commanded, and the door slowly creaked open. Ivar stepped inside, bowing respectfully as he entered the room.
“Good morning, Alpha,” Ivar greeted me, his voice carrying the respectful tone that always accompanied his words.
I returned his greeting with a nod, a brief flicker of warmth before my focus shifted back to the clothes hanging in my closet.
My mind was already running through the day ahead, trying to mentally prepare for the visit to the hospital, as we had planned.
But something in Ivar’s tone made me pause.
“Before we head to the hospital this morning as planned, there’s been a change,” Ivar continued, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of urgency.
“There’s something you need to take care of first.”
I slouched my shoulders, a sigh escaping my lips as I listened to his words. This was the last thing I needed. I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing slightly as I took in the seriousness of his expression.
“What do the others think?” I asked, my voice laced with a hint of frustration.
“I’m pretty sure I cleared my schedule already. So, is there something else I’m missing here?”
“I already cleared your schedule, Alpha,” Ivar reassured me, but his next words made my heart sink. “But Beta Edmond is here to see you.”
Just like that, any expression of a good morning crumbled. A deep frown settled on my face as I processed what he’d said. Edmond's name alone was enough to sour my mood.
“Beta Edmond?” I repeated, my voice dripping with disdain.
“And why would I want to see that devilish bastard? I don’t care about anything he has to say. He’s probably planning some coup to overthrow me or something equally treacherous. I have no interest in meeting him, and I certainly don’t want to listen to any of his lies.”
I snapped the words out, my temper flaring at the thought of dealing with Edmond so early in the morning.
But I noticed Ivar hesitating, as if weighing his next words carefully.
“You’re right, Alpha,” he began, his tone cautious.
“I knew you wouldn’t want to deal with him, so I told him you were too busy to meet. But he wouldn’t listen. He’s been causing a scene, insisting that he sees you immediately. He’s hellbent on it and refuses to leave until his demands are met.”