Chapter 16

Frode looked down to me and kissed my forehead before moving to the door. I watched him go before I sat gently on the couch, trying to avoid any movement that hurt my back. Hissing at the stretch of my skin at the change off position and the initial contact of the couch against my sensitive skin, I slowly allowed my body to relax into the back of the couch.

Tiredness pulled at my body, and I closed my eyes. The couch shifted and I scented Rune as his warm body sat next to mine. His hand brushed by my face as he pushed my hair back. His other hand wrapped around mine and he brought it to his lips to kiss my palm.

“You look exhausted.” He hummed his lips still against my skin.

“I feel exhausted.” I murmured back, without opening my eyes.

“She’s my mate, Frode. You just found your mate, surely, you of all people should know what we are feeling.” A loud voice shouted from the porch.

I heard Frode tell whoever was at the door to keep their voice down and the door shut. Curious I tried listening but could only hear the murmuring of voices. Concern flowed through me. Beth was wounded and needed rest.

In my experience it was easy for mates to be overwhelming, and she didn’t need the extra stress while she healed. Granted her wounds weren’t from magic so she should be back to normal in a shorter amount of time, she still needed time to recover. Plus, I wasn’t sure what her background was. She may be prepared for pack life.

“Well, then let’s get you cleaned up quickly so you can go back to bed.” He said, as he helped me to my feet.

A loud, menacing growl sounded from behind the close door. My gaze flew to the front door where Sten and Frode was talking with four other men. Beth’s pack. The sound of voices got louder again but were still too muffled to understand what was being said.

“They can handle themselves, let’s get you cleaned up and your wounds taken care of so you can get to bed.” Rune said, placing a gentle touch on my lower back.

Rune followed me up the stairs with a warm hand on the small of my back, a steadying hand below my torn skin. As soon as I walked into the bedroom, I heard the water running in the bathroom. Erik stepped out and I smiled at him.

“I drew a shallow bath. I know you’re tired, but we need to keep your back clean so it can heal faster.” Erik said as he pulled me into the warm bathroom.

I allowed them to help undress me, wincing as the shirt moved over my back despite Erik’s hands trying to keep them away. I made a mental note to keep only to button up shirts until I was back to normal. It was too painful to move that much, anyway.

I sat in the warm water my face warm and heated from my blush. We hadn’t really been around each other a lot while undressed and his stare had me uneasy. He rolled his eyes but didn’t look away.

“It’s so easy to forget you were human raised and that you were raised with humans are so modest. Besides your body is nothing to be ashamed of and it’s only a matter of time before I know your skin like the back of my hand.” He said, his eyes dark with lust.

His words only succeeded in darkening my blush. Rolling his eyes, he stepped forward and knelt by the side of the tub. His fingers went under my chin and lifted my face to his. He pressed a kiss against my lips and hummed before pulling back.

“Let me help you with your hair and back and then I’ll leave for a few minutes to let you wash the rest of your delicious body. Fair?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.

I nodded and handed him the soap and cloth. His touch was gentle as he wet and washed my back. I was surprised when he took his time with my hair, massaging my scalp with just the right amount of pressure that pulled a groan from me. He rinsed it and conditioned it before leaning back against his heels.

“Yell when you’re ready to get out so you don’t fall. I’ll just be in the bedroom with Rune.” He said, leaving only after I nodded in agreement.

I looked over my shoulder waiting for him to leave and then washed the rest of me. I stood and rinsed, making sure all the suds were off. I contemplated calling for Erik, but figured I was already standing and stepped out of the tub.

Moving slowly, it took longer than usual, which frustrated a busy body like me. Once completed, I smiled at my reflection as I wrapped a towel around me be cautious of my back. Movement behind me pulled my gaze to Erik who had moved to stand behind me.

My smile fell as I took in his appearance. His handsome face was marred in a scowl and his arms were crossed over his chest. His gaze drifted over me before he stepped forward, careful to keep distance between him and my back, but caging me with his arms and the counter.

“I thought I told you to call me, and I’d help, kitten.” He said, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

“I’m capable of getting in and out of a tub myself.” I sighed, looking at where my hand was on the counter.

“I know that. You’re capable of many things, but you’re hurt. What if you had slipped and you pulled your stitches, or fell onto your back?” He asked, his eyebrows still knit together.

His breath was warm against my skin. I considered his words, knowing he only wanted what was best for me. I had never had people in my life that seemed to care as much as these men do. It was amazing and new, but sometimes it was overwhelming.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think about it.” I said, softly as my eyes moved to meet his in the mirror.

“I know this is all new to you, kitten, but I just don’t want you to get hurt again. It’s hard to find the words that fit the emotions that we’ve felt the last few days while we watched you get hurt from your vision, and then as the healer tried to help you. I wish I could tell you, but know it was hard and painful for us too.” He said standing up and turning me, so I faced him.

I took in his face, the emotions that he was wearing plain as day. I placed my palm to his ace, wishing I could help him, that he didn’t have to see that. I rubbed his cheek and he leaned into my touch. I closed my eyes and gave us a moment to just enjoy each other’s presence and touch.

Suddenly, I wasn’t standing in front of Erik. I was in a car, looking at my bloodied back as if I was looking through someone else's eyes. I was in Erik's memories, there was no other option. He was watching my body shake in pain as my screams filled my ears.

Everything went black and then I was in the house pacing outside the bedroom door, listening to my own cries of pain coming from behind the closed door. My cries were accompanied by murmuring voices. The door suddenly opened and Frode stood there. His expression was bleak, and his face was pale. I'd never seen him look so stressed.

“Can you control yourself?” He asked me, well I guess Erik.

I felt Erik nod.

“We must help hold her down. The pain meds aren’t working, and she needs sutures. If you can’t control yourself, I’ll get one of the others.” He said, his voice stern despite his unease.

“I can do it.” Erik’s voice sounded in the hall.

Frode nodded and stepped aside. Blood and herbs immediately overwhelmed my senses. My stomach turned at the sight of the torn skin on my back. Erik looked away, and Frode nodded as he shut the door again. Erik moved to the other side of the bed and laid a hand on my shoulder.

My skin was cool and clammy. I was in shock. The doctor side of me was trying to catch glimpses of my back. It occurred to me that I hadn’t looked at it yet. The healer met Erik’s eyes and nodded after checking that Frode was in place also. She went back to her work, as Erik and Frode did their best to hold me still so she could sew the skin back together.

“Astrid?” Erik’s voice sounded in my ears, and I snatched my hand from his face.

I gasped as I opened my eyes. My gaze darted around and I realized that I was back in the bathroom with Erik. I let my focus come back to my mate standing infront of me and I took in his face.

“Where’d you go?” He asked, concern filling his voice. Rune was standing in the doorway; his body tense as he took Erik and I in.

“I saw it. I saw me, the car and then the bedroom.” I whispered, looking back to Erik’s face.

Regret and sorrow filled his face.

“You shouldn’t have seen that.” He said, his voice gravely with emotion.

“I’m sorry. Pain medications have never worked for me. Not really.” I said. “I should have told you in case something happened.”

“They don’t work for Sten either. Only a special tea, but it can make bleeding worse, so we waited until it stopped to give it to you. Then you slept for a day.” Erik said, his voice soft.

I yawned, reaching my hand up to cover my mouth.

“You’re still exhausted. Let’s get you too bed.” Erik said, ushering me out.

He exchanged glances with Rune who stepped aside and followed us. Sten and Frode came into the bedroom taking us in.

“I felt her terror. Was there another vision?” Sten asked.

“No, not exactly.” Rune mumbled.

Erik explained what happened as he helped me into bed and got me settled. Sten listened, before blurting he wanted to do some research and leaving. Everyone was quiet for a moment, before my curiosity got the better of me.

“Who was at the door?” I asked.

Frode grinned and shook his head.

“You know what they say about curiosity, right?” Frode chuckled, taking my hand.

“It was our best friends; it seems they are mated to Beth. They will be back in the morning.” He said, smiling at me. “Rest, we’ll talk more in the morning. I’m sure Sten will have important things about you to discuss by then.”

I hummed, quickly wondering what he meant. I was going to ask, but the lazy circles his thumb was making on my hands was soothing and it quickly lulled me to sleep.