THE MATE THEY CALL MY BROTHER

CHAPTER 12

A knock sounded on my door the very next morning. I didn't need anyone to tell me it was Garrett.

“Come in,” I said as I reached for my knitted blanket to drape over my still very much injured leg. Silver injuries hurt a great deal and they take forever to heal.

“The maid said you refused to have your meal.” He said as he walked in and say beside me on the bed, his hands ruffling my hair with a small gentle smile on his face.

“Since when do the maids report to you?” I said trying my best to act normal and not wince in pain.

“Kaleb's ceremony is taking place tomorrow Ash, everyone is busy planning no one is going to remember you exist in situations like this I had to assign a maid to get you your meal but she told me you refused to open up the door.”

Great, Kaleb's Ceremony was happening tomorrow. The long lost is back so I don't matter anymore to anyone, my dad nor the pack. I smiled at Garrett with gratitude.

“It's so kind of you to remember me…’’

“Of course I can't forget you, you're literally my best friend. You talk as though we're formal acquaintances.” He said with a smile.

I laughed.

“You'll eat right?” He asked. His voice softening. I stared at him. I didn't exactly feel like eating. I was in pain, I nearly got killed yesterday if not for Kaleb interfering, I met the coldest version of him I've ever seen yesterday and now they're preparing an event for him where he's more likely to meet someone else.

Something in me broke. I was the one that rejected him and told him I don't want to have anything to do with him, yet I'm here sulking at the fact that different than ladies, more beautiful ones infact will be thrown at him tomorrow.

“Ashley…?” Garrett snapped his fingers in front of my eyes and immediately I broke out of my trance.

“Nah I think I'm fine here,” I said. If I stood up Garrett would notice I have an Injury and he was going to start worrying.

“C'mon, I had them prepare your favorite don't let it all be for nothing.” I shook my head. Garrett wouldn't hear of it. His hands went to my blanket and he was already yanking it off before I could stop him.

“Wai…” the air between us froze for a second. He stared at my bare legs and I was about covering up, shy to be exposed in such a manner with a nasty injury.

“What in the…”

“Garrett I can explain…”

“What happened to you? Is this why u didn't want to get out of bed?” He asked his face reddening with probably rage or concern but I doubt it was the latter.

“I fell on a wooden stake,” I started to lie.

“Don't lie to me Ash, you know I don't like it when you do that. You fell on a stake and it hasn't healed till now?”

I sighed.

“I went out for a run yesterday in the woods, alone, then I got attacked by multiple men and I got shot in the leg with a silver arrow, Kaleb jumped in to save me. I don't know what he was doing alone in the forest at that time too and I don't know how he managed to attain such level in swordsmanship to the extent that he actually killed off everyone one of them without a single scratch on him.” Garrett was speechless.

“All of these happened yesterday?” He said, his brows furrowed deeply.

I nodded.

“Since the time he disappeared as a kid, nothing of such has ever happened in the pack, the pack is always safe. But all of a sudden he's here and someone tried to kill you…” my head snapped up as Garrett talked. I couldn't tell what he was trying to conclude.

“You could have told me this since, I would have gotten you treatment, leaving this wound to heal on its own is a bad idea. I'll be back, wait here and don't go anywhere.” He stood up before I could protest and walked out of my room.

I layed back on my bed, fiddling with my fingers. The only thing I could think of right now was the fact that a big preparation was being held for Kaleb. As much as I hated it I can't stop it. I didn't have a right to hate how I feel now especially not when I was the one pushing Kaleb away.

Garrett was back. He held my meal and a small wooden box. Placing my food on the wooden bedside table, he opened the box and brought out a herbal oil.

“This might sting a little.”

“You really don't have to Garrett, I'll be fine…”

“But I want to,” He said as he tore a piece of his cloth.

He poured a bit of the oil contents into the cloth and dabbed it on my wound. I bit my lip and gripped my sheet as I tried not to scream. He was done and he proceeded to tear more of his clothes to bandage me up.

“Thank you,” I said with a small smile after he was done. He smiled and ruffled my hair again.

“Now eat up, I'm not leaving until you do.” He said. I laughed and reached for my meal. The moment I took the first bite, my appetite retuned and I was digging into the food with gusto.

I was done eating and I struggled to get out of my bed. Garrett rushed over to my side to help me up. I limped a bit as I tried to gain stability.

“Where are you going?” He asked.

“Stepping outside to see how things are going,” I said as if it was the obvious thing.

“You need to rest your leg, Ashley.”

“C'mon now Garrett, I'm definitely sure initially you didn't only come here to make me eat, you were also trying to get me out of my hole to help my brother prepare for his ceremony.,”

“You know what Ashley,” Garrett turned to me and held my shoulder as he stared down at me, his eyes darkened with concern and seriousness.

“I think I'll take your word for it and look into who Kaleb really is.”