Chapter 25
I sat on the bed, the food Helena had given me settling in my stomach, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a little at ease. She had a way about her that made me feel... safe. There was something so calming about her presence, something I hadn't experienced in what felt like forever. A part of me wished I could stay in this clinic, away from the rest of the packhouse, away from Alpha Jeremiah and his cruel pack members.
As I devoured the last bit of food, I couldn’t help but let out a small sigh of relief. "Thank you," I said between bites, glancing at Helena, who was sitting on a chair beside my bed.
Helena smiled warmly. "I'm glad you're eating. You need your strength."
"I didn’t realize how hungry I was," I admitted, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. The food had been so good, warm and filling — something I hadn’t had in what felt like ages.
"You’ve been through a lot," she said softly, her eyes filled with compassion.
I looked down at my empty plate and sighed. “More than I care to admit.”
Helena didn’t push me for details. Instead, she just sat there, giving me space. I liked that about her. She wasn’t like the others. She actually seemed to care, and that made all the difference.
After a moment of silence, I decided to ask the question that had been nagging me. "Helena, what’s the deal with Alpha Jeremiah’s grandmother? She’s... terrifying."
Helena let out a soft laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Yes, she is a bit terrifying. She’s strict, but she loves Jeremiah. She practically raised him after his parents died."
I blinked at that, feeling a pang of sympathy I didn’t expect. So that’s why he was the way he was. Everything about him seemed tied to his parents' deaths. I wanted to know more, but I didn’t want to seem like I was prying. Not with Helena. So, I bit my tongue, not pushing for more information.
"You’re looking better now," Helena said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I smiled, feeling genuinely better. “I do feel better. Thanks to you.”
She smiled back, standing up and walking to the door. "I’m glad. But now, I’m afraid I have to call Jeremiah. It’s better if he knows you’re awake before he comes in here."
The mention of Jeremiah made my stomach twist. "Do you really have to?"
Helena gave me an apologetic look. "I’m afraid so. Trust me, it’s better this way."
I sighed, feeling a wave of dread wash over me. I didn’t want to face him. Not now, not ever. But it seemed I didn’t have much of a choice. Helena left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I tried to calm myself, taking deep breaths as I heard his heavy footsteps approaching. My heart pounded in my chest, my throat tightening as the door swung open, and there he was — Alpha Jeremiah, his presence like a storm entering the room.
I couldn’t read him. His face wasn’t as cold as usual, but it didn’t put me at ease. I knew better than to let my guard down around him.
He stepped closer, his eyes locked on mine. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice low and steady.
I blinked, surprised by the question. Did he actually care? I wasn’t sure. But I answered him anyway. "Better."
"Good," he said, but his face quickly shifted into that familiar business-like expression. "You know, even if you refuse to tell me what I need to know, I’ll find out. It’s better for everyone if you talk now. Fewer people will get hurt."
My body tensed at his words, anger rising within me. I growled, my wolf stirring inside me. "Don’t you dare threaten my family."
His eyes darkened at my defiance, and he took another step closer. His jaw tightened. "Watch yourself, Astrid."
I clenched my fists, standing my ground even though every instinct screamed at me to back down. "I won’t let anyone hurt my family."
"You think you’re in any position to make demands?" he asked, his voice sharp, challenging.
I didn’t respond, just held his gaze, refusing to show any fear. But I could feel the tension building between us, thick and almost suffocating. It was like something in the air had shifted, and I didn’t know what it was.
Jeremiah moved even closer, his body inches from mine now, his breath brushing against my face. "Or what?" he whispered, his voice low, almost teasing.
My breath hitched, and I could feel the bond between us pulling tight. My wolf was practically howling, pushing me toward him, urging me to close the distance. My heart was racing, my head spinning. I didn’t understand what was happening, but I couldn’t seem to pull away.
Jeremiah’s hand came up, softly cupping my face. The touch sent a shock through my body, and I leaned into it for a split second before reality slammed back into me. I slapped his hand away, my breath coming out ragged. I had to stop this, whatever this was.
But Jeremiah didn’t take kindly to the slap. His eyes darkened even more, his wolf clearly battling for control. He grabbed my waist, pulling me against him, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Don’t ever do that again," he growled, his face inches from mine, his breath hot on my skin.
I could feel the heat radiating off of him, the intensity of the mate bond nearly knocking the wind out of me. I could barely breathe, my mind spinning, my wolf screaming for more. My body betrayed me, wanting to lean in, wanting to give in to the pull between us.
Just when I thought I might lose control, the door opened, and Selene walked in.
“Alpha,” Selene’s voice cut through the tension like a knife, her tone sharp with surprise.
Jeremiah’s grip on me loosened, but he didn’t let go right away. His eyes stayed on mine, holding me there in that moment for what felt like forever before he finally turned to Selene, his voice cold and irritated. "What do you want?"
Selene looked between us, clearly uncomfortable. “I need to speak with you. Its about the East border.”
Jeremiah sighed, releasing me fully and stepping back. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear in his face. "Fine."
He glanced at me one last time, his eyes lingering in a way that sent shivers down my spine. And then, without another word, he left, leaving me confused, shaken, and utterly breathless.
What the hell had just happened?
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