Chapter Five
1049 Words
Claire's pov
I sat up curled up on the edge of Cole's bed, my knees drawn tightly to my chest. Purple bruises stained my arms as well as my chest and legs.
I watched as Cole cut up another piece of meat and feed me.
My heart swelled with happiness. I couldn't be anymore happier than I am right now. I finally have someone that cares about me and my well being.
"I can do it myself," I murmured. "You've already done enough for me and I'm grateful for that."
"I want to do it," he said firmly. "I want to take care of you so will you please let me?" he asked, his lips curled into a smile.
I smiled, nodding my head.
The warmth of the food soothed my sore throat instantly.
Cole continued feeding me patiently, his movements were calm and careful. I stared at him quietly, my chest tightening with emotions I didn’t fully understand.
"You're staring," he commented.
I quickly looked away, heat rushing to my cheeks.
My breath hitched when he reached out and brushed his thumb gently beneath my lips.
His tender touch made my heart melt.
"I spoke to Kimberly," he said and my head snapped up.
"What did you say?" I asked meeting his gaze.
"I told her the truth, that you're my mate and you're safe with me."
"She must've been worried about me," I said.
"Yeah she is but I told her not to worry. I won't let anything happen to you."
I smiled at him warmly. "Thank you for everything."
"You're my mate Claire, you don't need to thank me," he said as he got up, taking the empty tray in his hand.
"I'm going to leave this in the kitchen," he gestured to the tray." And then go attend to my duties along with Mason. In the meantime you rest."
"Do you mind if I take a shower?" I asked, hoping he'd let me. It's been days since I last showered.
"Of course you can," he said.
"Thank you," I murmured.
He nodded, opening the door. "I'll come back later," he said and softly shut the door behind him.
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The afternoon sun spilled through the curtains in soft ribbons of gold, warming the room with a lazy kind of heat.
My eyes fluttered open against the brightness, lashes blinking slowly as the sunlight brushed across my skin. My body felt heavy with sleep, limbs tangled in the warm sheets while my mind struggled to catch up with reality.
I was supposed to take a shower after Cole had left but instead I fell asleep.
I threw the blanket aside and got out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom.
My breath caught instantly.
The bathroom was bigger and luxurious than the tiny omega washroom I had grown up using.
Warm golden light glowed from elegant wall lamps, reflecting off the marble counter and dark tiled floors.
In the omega quarters, hot water was considered a privilege and is only reserved for the higher ranking wolves.
I always had freezing showers no matter the season. During winter was worse, the icy water would leave me shivering for hours afterward.
I stood infront of the mirror and my eyes widened. My skin had taken on the translucent, sickly pallor of parchment, and the dark hollows beneath my eyes looked like bruises. My hair was a chaotic nest, sticking out in every direction.
I exhaled, slipping out of the shirt and entering the shower. The heat wrapped around my aching body instantly, pulling a shaky breath from my lips.
The warmth soothed the bruises scattered across my skin, easing the soreness in my muscles little by little. I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes as the steam surrounded me.
M eyes drifted across the countless bottles that were lined along a shelve. There were different shampoos. Body washes. Oils. Soaps with scents I had never even smelled before—vanilla, lavender, jasmine, coconut.
I didn't know which one to choose because they all smelt lovely.
After a few minutes deciding on which one to choose I ended up choosing the coconut body wash.
I squeezed some onto the loofah and began to scrub the dirt and grim off my skin. Once I was done with that I washed my hair slowly, savoring every second.
When I finally stepped out of the shower, my skin flushed warm and my dark hair damp was against my shoulders. I reached for the white, fluffy towel and
wrapped it tightly around myself.
I opened the door and entered the room but suddenly froze when I saw Cole sitting on the bed, across the room, his one arm rested against the headboard while his phone remained in his hand. His eyes lifted the moment I stepped out.
Heat rushed to my face instantly.
“I-I didn’t know you were here,” I stammered, clutching the towel tighter against myself.
Cole’s gaze lingered on me for a moment before he locked his phone and tossed it onto the bed beside him.
"I took the day off," he said as he slowly approached me. My heart hammered in my chest, my breath quickened.
"I wanted to be with you Claire," he whispered, he was now standing in front of me. "I hope you don't mind," he added, running his thumb along my jaw.
I swallowed hard, trying hard to calm my racing heart down. His scent, Cedar wood and pine made it difficult to think clearly and as for my wolf, she began pacing restlessly in my mind.
There was a small puddle of water near my feet, water droplets sliding down my damp skin as nervousness twisted inside my chest.
“You seem nervous,” he murmured softly.
I lowered my eyes. “I am," I admitted.
" And why is that?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was gentle, almost comforting, and it eased the tightness in my chest.
“You’re mine, Claire,” he whispered. “You can trust me, I will never hurt you.”
Those words wrapped around my fragile heart so easily. I wanted to believe him and I want to believe that the mate bond meant something real.
- Writer
