Hidden Dangers of Love

Chapter Six

Astrid woke up in her bed, she felt tears running down her face as soon as she moved. The bite in her neck stung like she was injected with poison. She threw her blankets over her head and sobbed into them, she didn't remember much but she knew who bit her. Caleb. His scent was there, but she didn't understand why he did it like that. I trusted him! She told herself as her heart sunk even farther into her stomach. Why would he do that? She was ready but did he really not trust her enough, so he did it at a moment of weakness? She let out a sigh as she heard a soft knock so she threw her blanket off carefully before looking up.

She felt shock and fury settle in her gaze when she saw Caleb in the window, his ice blue gaze was worried and frantic as it glowed in the moonlight. She shook her head and turned away from him. She stared at the wall as tears ran down her face, pain shot through her shoulder as she let out a small cry. It wasn't right, none of this was right. Something was off about all this.

The next day, Astrid woke to excruciating pain in her shoulder. She felt exhausted from not getting much sleep that night and didn't want to fave going downstairs, but she took a deep breath and got up. she cried out softly in pain as her shoulder throbbed, but instead of doing something about it she threw a thick sweater on and went downstairs. No one was home this time, which meant she had the house to herself. But she would most likely just stay in her room.

It didn't take long for her to eat and go back upstairs to lay on her bed, advil didn't help the pain so she just tried to tolerate it more.

Astrid felt herself freeze as she heard her window open quietly. "Astrid. You don't understand..." She listened as his soft voice cracked with pain. Astrid didn't flinch but she didn't tell him to leave. She felt him touch her shoulder, causing pain to shoot through it again. She let out a gasp and flinched away, but now she was facing him. Her gaze sparked angrily, but when she saw the sadness in his eyes she didn't speak, only tears ran down her face.

Astrid moved her gaze away as he wiped the tears away from her cheek. "It wasn't me... I got there too late. But I sent your step father to the hospital." His voice was soft at first before it turned cold. She flicked her gaze to him. "What? It wasn't you?" She looked at him, shocked. Caleb shook his head with a tiny smile of hope. Astrid sat up quickly but cried out in pain as her shoulder throbbed. "Help me." She begged as she clenched her teeth and shut her eyes. Astrid felt him pull her close gently. "Can you make it down the window?" He asked quietly. Astrid nodded and moved away, before getting up. She took a deep breath before moving to the window.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked as she made it past the fence. Astrid nodded but her shoulder throbbed even more. "How do I stop it from hurting." She asked, cringing at the pain. She frowned when she saw the worry in his gaze as he moved closer to her. Astrid's body stiffened unintentionally and he backed away, pain flickered in his gaze but it was gone almost instantly. "I don't know. We have to talk to Alpha." He sighed and looked into the forest, he was clearly agitated by something. Astrid straightened up, her eyes sparkling. "I will just change to my wolf form." She said happily, she would at least be able to get to the pack. Before she could realize it was a bad idea, she changed. Caleb looked fearful and backed away in his wolf form. His fur was on edge, Astrid wondered why until it hit her. My wolf form triggers the heat scent... She whimpered and took off into the forest. She knew she was in the wrong territory but she also knew that the males won't be able to control themselves. She saw how hard it was for Caleb the other day, she needed to get away.

Astrid stopped running, it had been at least an hour, she was well into the good packs. She ran right to where she felt strangely safe. Into the cave where she first changed. When she got into the cave she whimpered and hid at the opposite end in the soft moss. Maybe if she slept on it, her shoulder would feel better. At this point she was the only one around, Caleb didn't even follow her which made her heart sink a little. She whined softly before closing her eyes as she stretched out into the moss.

Astrid woke to light filtering into the cave and wolves howling, she couldn't really understand what they were saying because it was too far away. "Find... Unmarked... Forty-eight hours..." Astrid flicked her ears, hurrying to cover her scent with her tail. Her shoulder felt a little better, but an odd feeling was in her now. "Where are you... " She whimpered quietly for Caleb, but it didn't take long for her to fall back asleep.

Astrid flicked a bug off of her ear as she blinked her eyes open with a yawn. She jumped when she saw Caleb curled in a ball about halfway down the wall. Her mind travelled to the evening before. He risked his life coming to save me. I know I can trust him. She wagged her tail a little before getting to her paws and cautiously limping over, her shoulder was stiff but not as painful. She tried to ignore the growling in her stomach from not eating for a long time. Carefully she curled up behind him, their fur brushing only slightly.

Before she could fall asleep she felt him jolt awake. She changed accidentally to her human for and sat up when she saw him changed too.

"I thought you wouldn't come..." She murmured quietly, looking away as her gaze clouded. Astrid was on her feet at this point, she felt her spirits lift when Caleb walked close to her, his hands moving to her waist. "I needed to prepare myself for the scent, and talk to the alpha about the bite." He whispered. As Astrid searched his gaze she smiled at the softness of his blue eyes. She could see him holding back a lot but she trusted him now. She blinked at him, "How do I get rid of the bite?" She asked quietly, almost afraid there was no way. Caleb took one step back and looked away. Worry clouded his gaze as he spoke, "The scar will never leave until I mark you, but since he didn't mate with you, you aren't his." He replied, his eyes flickering back to hers. She moved just inches from him and smiled. "That's a good thing isn't it?" She said happily. Caleb shrugged, moving the strand of hair from her face. "All he has to do is mate with you. That's the last step and he knows it... I stopped him before he did it yesterday but now he won't stop." Caleb said as he took a deep breath, Astrid watched him for a moment. "Then why can't you just change me now?" She asked him, her voice quivering. She flinched when she heard someone enter the cave before he could talk. Caleb let out a low growl and turned around, stepping in front of her protectively. Astrid didn't know what to think when an older man walked into the cave. "Caleb, I need to speak with you." He said in a deep voice, his silver gaze was calm as it stayed on Astrid. "Okay Alpha." Caleb replied quickly and left with him after reassuring her he would be back.

Astrid sat down over by the moss, she refused to use the bed that was in the corner because it looked old and she didn't want to break it. Astrid watched the entrance for the next five minutes before she watched the older man re -appear without Caleb. He was silent as he walked over to her and crouched down very close to her. She flinched away but stopped at the soft touch of his hand. "I am going to help you. Do not fear, Caleb will be here soon. Close your eyes." Astrid stayed silent ans obeyed, she itched to leave as soon as he moved her shirt down a little to reveal her shoulder. She felt him stiffen slightly before touching the wound with his fingertips.

Astrid opened her eyes when she felt him move away, glancing at her shoulder she could still see the scar very well but the pain had stopped.

"Th-thank you..." She whispered softly, unsure of how he did it. "That's part of my job, but I'll tell you girl, your scent and the whole situation is definitely something I've never dealt with before." The alpha said with a friendly smile. Before Astrid could say anything she saw Caleb walk back in. She jumped to her feet, the moss soft and cool which made her feel even better. "He fixed my shoulder. The pain is gone." She said with a smile when Caleb walked over. But he didn't seem cheerful. "What's wrong?" Astrid asked him, her eyes clouding with worry as he stopped. She forgot about the Alpha being there before walking closer to Caleb. She could see his dark blue shirt was soaked on the side so she went up to him and lifted it carefully when he flinched. Astrid gasped when she saw the long wound going down his rib-cage. "What happened?" She whimpered as she gently put his shirt down. Their eyes for a moment and neither of them spoke. "He tried to make a peace offering with Damien and he got attacked by him and his crew." The Alpha butted in, Caleb and Astrid close your eyes." He spoke calmly as he came up to Caleb and lifted his shirt. Astrid closed her eyes and squeezed her hand gently when she felt Caleb intertwine their fingers. It didn't take long before it was over and they opened their eyes to the Alpha being gone.

"Why did you do that. You could have been killed!" Astrid exclaimed as she felt him pull her close. She didn't get much of an answer before he kissed her softly on the lips. She closed her eyes and kissed him back gently. she was still so new at this but when their lips pressed together sparks coursed through her. When he moved back he kept his fingers on her chin. "I would die the most painful death for you." He whispered, his gaze was warm as it flickered a soft blue tinted with a dangerous red that made her only a little uneasy, that's what colour his eyes went when he couldn't stop himself. "Caleb..." Astrid said hesitantly, before pressing her lips to his strongly. He just smiled at her as he pulled away. "Astrid... Your scent is so sweet... If we do this I might not be able to stop myself.. I can only control my instinct for so long." He spoke softly, already pulling her toward the wooden bed. "Its okay." She said quietly. Just no marking yet please. I can't do that again so soon. She thought to herself when she let him lay her down gently. "I won't hurt you. I won't mark your if you aren't ready, but that means the heat scent won't go away." He murmured softly, his eyes were bright blue but the red was seeping in a little. Astrid then kissed him softly as he hovered over her, a hand on each side of her shoulders. He kissed her gently as she shut her eyes, his tongue searched her lips until her parted them slightly. Letting him kiss her more deeply as she rested her hands on his arms.

She tried to stay relaxed as his one hand slowly moved up her shirt, he was trying to contain himself but she could feel his excitement through his pants. Astrid just smiled until she heard a loud cracking noise from outside. Instantly they stopped, his eyes were a dark blue as the red faded for a moment. She couldn't help but grin when he cursed to as soon as Cole walked in. "What is it now?" He spat at Cole when he walked in, but Caleb was up when he noticed wounds. "For Christ sake what is it now?" He asked Cole when he switched to his human form, "There was a big brawl at the school, between Damien and Jonathan." Cole panted. By this time, Astrid was standing behind Caleb, she wondered what it was about but she kept quiet as her lips still tingled.

"About what, did Damien piss him off like usual?" Caleb grinned before turning away to shrug it off again. Astrid met his gaze. "Caleb... Its more important than that." Astrid flinched when she noticed Cole's eyes flickering red as he fought to stay away from her. Caleb narrowed his gaze, "Go away before you can't control yourself Cole. I'm sure it was nothing." Caleb warned as he grabbed Astrid's hand reassuringly, not turning around. "It wasn't Damien who marked her, Caleb..." Cole hesitated, causing Caleb's gaze to turn to stone. "It was Jonathan."

Astrid started to shake so much Caleb hugged her against him, he was tensed up as he turned back to Cole. "Are you sure? That isn't what I saw!" He growled impatiently as her body trembled. Cole nodded lightly and backed away as soon as he was ordered out. Astrid felt Caleb move away and look at her, fury had replaced most of the red color in his eyes, she assumed adrenaline was kicking in. "This is bad." He murmured quietly as he met her gaze. "Come on we need to go to the pack house, where other females can watch you. Out here anyone can get to you and I won't even know." Caleb was switched into his wolf form now and Astrid followed quickly. The two for them raced back to the house.

Astrid was panting by the time they reached the house. Her head was pounding with everything going on. She tried to escape to somewhere alone, and away from everything so as soon as she reached the pack house she waited for Caleb to start talking to the Alpha and a few others beside the kitchen. Astrid quietly shifted and walked to the room she found herself in earlier in the week.

Once she was in there she wandered to the window in the room, the sun was going down once again and her stomach growled. That was probably part of the problem, she hadn't eaten in what looks like two days, she had been sleeping more than anything. Astrid slowly moved her hand up her arm as she gazed out the window, picturing Caleb embracing her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against it, she realised that he hadn't gotten and farther than a kiss with her, always getting interrupted. The day at the river didn't count because he was taken over by his own instincts, she couldn't blame him for that. "Would it not be so much easier just to go with Damien... Caleb and his pack could stop getting hurt. It would be like I never existed to them." She murmured to herself. It would be so much easier on them. Maybe not me but I'm used to that.

Astrid must have drifted off, because when she opened her eyes she was covered with a soft blue blanket. Why am I so tired these last few days? She wondered to herself. The sky was still dark ans cloud covered, it almost looked like it was going to rain. "The bites are making you tired." Astrid jumped and nearly fell of the window sill. She expected to see Caleb, but instead she saw a tall, dusty blond boy standing at the door. Why are there so many boys? She wondered when she went back to her spot. She tensed up as the boy walked toward her, she searched his pale green gaze to only find a hint of red. The boy say across from her on the window. "Your boyfriend is looking for you, and he probably won't be happy to find you in my room." He said with a grin, watching her. "This is your room?" She said with shock. They must all look the same, she went into the closest one thinking it was Caleb's. The boy nodded, "unless you want to be here." He teased, looking out the window. By this time Astrid was up, she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Why are all of you so disgusting." She snapped as she left the room.

"What an ass." She mumbled under he breath as she walked down the hall. Maybe I will just go outside. She thought as she saw a door ahead. "Where do you think you are going? Not outside I hope." Astrid paused when she heard Caleb's voice. After visiting that pervert I kinda want to. She looked down but didn't say anything, she was still trying to make a decision about her thoughts earlier in the night. She flinched when she felt the touch of Caleb trailing his warm fingers down her arm, he was close behind her. She relaxed and closed her eyes, fighting tears. I could make this so much easier on both of us, and just go with him. You guys wouldn't get hurt anymore... She spoke in her head, knowing there was a chance he could hear her, and that just proving her right as he tensed up. She couldn't hold it so she turned around and pressed against him, her eyes letting go. Maybe she would have been better off staying in the orphanage, these feelings wouldn't be here. "I don't care how much I get hurt. I care about your safety and making sure you are happy." He murmured quietly. "That's what I care about now." Astrid let him pull her closer. She felt so safe, like she didn't want to leave. It was the kind of feeling they talk about in stories and movies. The feeling you never think will happen to you.

"So what do we do about the bite?" Caleb's voice echoed in the large room. He was standing with the Alpha, who Astrid learned had a name, Jack. She sighed as she rested her forehead on her arms, on the large table. I know how to get out of this. But Caleb won't like it. She thought to herself, now she just need to find a way out. "An Alpha bite is much different Caleb. You of all people know that, that's why you are waiting." Jack spoke calmly on the other side of the room, they were talking lowly but Astrid could hear the echo. She put her head up and glanced at Caleb. That's why you are waiting? She cursed him silently, her frustrated gaze met his. Astrid sat up and crossed her arms at him. "Astrid..." He said worriedly, taking a step toward her. Astrid shifted her gaze to Jack, he was watching her gaze. "Caleb, can I have a moment with Astrid." He said calmly, not taking his eyes off of her. Caleb nodded with a frown before walking out of the room reluctantly.

"Astrid, can you come here please." He said with a smile and walked toward a large window. Astrid took a deep breath and followed slowly. "Astrid, Caleb cannot tell you everything that is going on here, and I can't tell you everything either..." He paused before looking back at her. "Caleb is going to be Alpha by this time next year, and it is his time to find a mate. But with him becoming Alpha, things are a little different." Jack continued, his gaze didn't leave hers as he spoke. "Like what?" She said, slightly impatient.

"Astrid, the bite you have right now is from an Alpha. An Alpha has a stronger bite than other wolves." He said changing the subject. A hesitant look flashed in his gaze when he looked away. "Honestly, in the many years I have been Alpha I have never had to deal with anything like this." He sighed and walked over to her. Astrid tensed up when he inspected the bite, running his fingers gently down it. "It doesn't appear to look any different. Does it hurt at all?" He asked, moving back. "No not really. Only sometimes." She said with a sigh.

"So what about the complications with Caleb marking me? I had my first change... What if Damien gets to me first?" She asked. Her voice more frantic than she would have liked. Jack shook his head, "Patience... This is more complicated than you are allowed to know." He replied with a warm smile.

Astrid watched his gaze, shifting her feet. "Jack, would it be easier for me to just go to Damien... I mean, you guys are getting injured and I'm causing so much pain and trouble. Even though I'm just someone from an orphanage and a broken life." Astrid took a deep breath and looked away.

"Astrid, you do what you feel is right. We can't make the decisions for you but you need to trust your instincts. Now you better go to Caleb who is waiting very impatiently on the other side of the door." He said with a smirk. Astrid gave him a smile and walked away toward the door. "Thank you Jack." She said as she walked out. When she got to the hall she laughed quietly when Caleb shot up from his spot and walked over almost tripping but catching himself gracefully. "Nice." She said with a smirk. She tried to hide the pain in her eyes. Her decision just got harder. It had only been a few weeks and she was already falling for him. She waited until he was a foot away before she kissed him strongly, closing her eyes. Astrid didn't care if anyone was around, but she stopped for a moment, his gaze was shocked but excitement flickered through them. Astrid smiled teasingly and walked away toward his room. "My last chance, before I have to leave." She whispered, Astrid felt her eyes cloud as she went into the room but she shook it off. It had been two weeks, why does she like someone so much in two weeks? Maybe its meant to be? Is that why you are comfortable? She sighed and shut her eyes for a moment before it all faded away, she could hear Caleb walk in. She stayed where she was and looked at the floor as he shut the door. "Are you okay?" He asked, walking up behind her and kissing her neck softly. Astrid turned around and took a deep breath before kissing him strongly, shutting her eyes. He pulled her in softly and moved her back toward his bed. Astrid relaxed and let him, she felt like this was right. The thoughts of leaving were out of her mind at this point. Caleb pushed her gently against the back wall, pinning her there with his body. Astrid smiled and placed her hands on his chest. "You really want to do this?" He asked quietly, pulling away. Astrid gave a small nod as he ran his hands up her shirt, undoing her bra. She flinched only slightly and ran her hands around the bottom of his shirt. Astrid moved a little and stripped her shirt off slowly, smiling when he copied her and took off his navy blue shirt. He watched her gaze for a moment with a smile, then kissed her softly. She wasn't even worried when he starts to take off her bra. She felt him press closer, his arm resting against the wall. Astrid froze when she heard the door creak open. She watched Caleb shut his eyes and growl in frustration as he rested his head on his hand.

"What is it this time!" He snapped impatiently, turning his head toward the door. Astrid trembled when she felt his whole body tense up. She felt her blood grow cold when she looked to see who it was.

It was Johnathan.