Chapter 28. Patience and Understanding

**28. Patience and Understanding**

***Rafael's POV:***

I hurriedly moved away as she opened her eyes. She met my gaze, smiled, and turned away in her sleepy state.

I returned to my place, rearranging myself uncomfortably on the couch. I'm willing to go to any extent for that smile, and sleeping on the sofa is nothing compared to the lengths I'm willing to go. I dozed off while glancing at her lovely face.

I sat up again when I heard Astrid gasp. Sweating profusely, she moved around in her spot. "No... no," she said, taking a defensive stance. "Leave me alone; I don't want to go anywhere with you guys," she said, shaking.

I dashed over to her. "Astrid... Astrid," I said, but she didn't answer. Unsure if I should shake her to wake her up, I hesitated.

"Mom, leave me alone; I don't want to get into this." I realized what she was having a nightmare about.

"Astr... Astrid, wake up, you are alright." I shook her and tugged the hair back, which was sticking to her face.

She finally blinked, opening her eyes. "Hey, you're fine; there's nothing to worry about." I tried to reassure her, but her next move stunned me. She wrapped her hands around me and buried her face in my chest. I was taken aback and didn't know what to do. Should I reciprocate her actions? I want to, but I'm afraid I'll scare her away. I fidgeted with my hand until I eventually did what my heart was telling me to do.

I too placed my hands securely around her, bringing her closer to me, and I could still hear her heart racing frantically. I rubbed her back in calming circles. "Shh... you're all right; you're safe here; no one's going to do anything without your permission," I told her.

She remained quiet, attempting to calm herself, and I, too, continued to be relieved by her presence. Having her in my arms was also easing my nerves.

No longer, she pulled away from me and tugged her hair back. "I... I'm sorry," she mumbled.

"It's okay; you have nothing to apologize for," I reassured her, and she nodded in response.

"Are you okay, now?" I asked again, and she nodded.

"Yes, thank you," she said, rubbing her face.

"If you need anything, just ask me; I'm right here," I added as I sat down.

She sat down and began to doze off. I waited until I heard her calm breathing before laying my head down and attempting to rest.

The next morning, she was sitting there, staring at the canvas I had on the side. Painting is a pastime of mine, which is why I chose a career path in it. "Would you like to use the restroom?" I asked.

"No, I'm fine," she replied.

I went to the bathroom and realized there wasn't anything for her. I asked Bryan to fetch her something she could use. Instead of doing what I came here to do, I stepped outside and asked her if she needed anything. I contacted Bryan and informed him of what she had requested, as well as asking for some clothes for her. He returned with what I had requested.

"Here, my king," he said as he handed me the items. I know he was trying to make an impression.

"Bryan, I'd want you to get Astrid's breakfast and stay with her until I get back," I ordered him.

"I'm up for the hunt," I said through the mind link.

"Okay, my king. I'll be back in a few minutes." He nodded and exited.

I gave Astrid those items and went inside to take a shower.

As usual, I arrived, wrapping a towel around my waist. I was about to enter the walk-in closet to get ready when I noticed Astrid standing there with her clothing in her hand.

"Shit," I mumbled, clutching the towel tightly.

She kept staring at my body, and I was feeling happy with myself. She kept his stare fixed on my abs.

"Do you like what you see?" I made fun of her.

Her cheeks flushed, and she averted her glance from me. "It's okay, you can ogle as much as you want; I'm all yours," I said, knowing full well that I was making her flush in ways she couldn't have imagined.

"Umm... I came here to keep my things, but I don't know where to keep them. Can I keep them here?" She innocently asked.

"Yup, you can keep it in this section; it'll be yours, and I'll have someone stack it later," I told her.

I thought to give her the keys to the next closet as well, but I don't want to overwhelm her by showing her everything all at once. I need to understand what makes her happy and what makes her upset first, and most of the things I listed aren't even here.

"Thank you," she replied, not meeting my gaze. I wanted to tell her that if she wants to say something, she should look into my eyes, but not now.

She left, and I dressed and went hunting while Bryan and Eva accompanied Astrid. I sat under a tree for a while longer until I spotted a deer. I snooped on it, hunted it down, and drank its blood until I was satisfied. Though vampires may subsist on human food, blood is our primary source of sustenance. Every other vampire uses people as their blood bag, but I don't like it. Even though I can stop myself from draining their blood, I don't want to, and I don't even like the flavor.

Many human girls came to me gladly to feed on them, but I didn't find anything exciting about them, so I avoided them completely, while Eva and Bryan feed from blood bags and are fine with it. But something has been troubling me since I met Astrid a few days ago.

I've wanted to taste hers since the first time I saw her and felt warm blood moving through her veins. Vampires are disgusted and revolted by their mates' blood, so I'm not sure why I want a taste of hers.

Only I know how tough it is for me to refrain from harming her. I'm not sure why I want so much, even when I'm full. Even though I appear as if she isn't bothering me, she is, and something within me always drives me to do things that go against vampire nature. I groaned and leaned against the trees to rest.

There are so many things going on in my life that I need to figure out, but I'm not sure where to start or where to go for solutions. I think I'll start with my mother's letter, but I can't get into her room because my father has a lockdown. He isn't even in the room and keeps the door locked.

Whenever I or Eva tried to enter, he stopped us, telling us that it would simply reopen old wounds, but I know he wants us to forget our mother completely. I began leaving for the castle. At times like this, I should stay close to Astrid and perhaps ask her if she can help me meet my people and tell them she is my mate. If she's okay, that's fine; if not, I'll have to seek into better ways to set things right.

When I walked in, Astrid, Eva, and Bryan were laughing over something. Every time I wish it wasn't something embarrassing about me because I know these two have no filters over their mouths and end up disclosing everything I don't want Astrid to know.

"You are back?" Bryan asked.

"Yes, have you prepared my things?" I inquired.

He nodded and picked up things, and I started working from my room with Bryan by my side. I could see Astrid and Eva having small talk every now and again. The entire day passed without me having the opportunity to express what I had intended to say. The night passed, and when Eva and Bryan departed, I summoned the strength to go to her.

"Astrid," she flinched, turned away from the window, and faced me.

"I am sorry if I scared you, but may I speak with you for a moment?" I made a request.

I could tell she was hesitating, but she eventually agreed. I asked her to sit down, which she did, and I sat close to her but kept my distance.

"First and foremost, if you do not want to comply, I will not force you, but I do need your assistance with something, but only if you are comfortable." I took her calmness as a cue to elaborate further. "So I want you to be by my side tomorrow when I introduce you as my mate. I want you to show everyone that we are happy together. I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm short on time, and I have to do this as soon as I can," I explained.

She took her time processing what I had just said, and just as she was about to respond, someone began banging on my door.

"Is that you, Bryan?" I asked via the mind link. He was probably sleeping, but he awoke when he heard me talk.

"Sir, what are you saying?" he asked.

"Come out of your room and look outside to see who is there." I gave him the order.

Based on the banging, I know it's not a good sign. Whoever is outside, there are a lot of them, and they intend to break the door.

I stood up and drew Astrid with me.

"Sir, we are under attack," Bryan remarked through mindlink.

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**Who would want to attack them? Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.**

**Stay tuned... I love you all<3**

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