Chapter 4:
1063 Words
I stepped out of the room, the darkness swallowing me with every step. Several Bloodmoon warriors stood guard along the corridor, their eyes full of wariness when they saw me. Under my rule, they had become accustomed to absolute silence and discipline.
I stopped in front of Freya's hospital room. My breathing slowed, but my heart was still pounding fiercely.
The room was bathed in the dim light of a small lamp placed in the corner, casting faint shadows on the cold walls. I entered, the door gently closing, separating me from the outside world. The air in the room carried a light scent - a familiar one I had never forgotten.
Freya lay on the bed, her body curled up like a small animal trying to shrink away from harm. Her face was pale, her breathing even but weak. Her platinum blonde hair was spread out on the pillow, starkly contrasting her pale skin.
My eyes lingered on the bruises on her neck, down to her shoulder blades, and the minor scratches on her side. A sharp pain shot through my heart
'Our mate is hurt.' Ryan's voice echoed in my head, full of anger.
'I see.' I replied, trying to stay calm.
'We should do something. Keep Freya. Protect her. Take care of her.' Ryan's voice was husky but also full of longing. 'I like her, Lucian. She belongs to us.'
I clenched my fists.
Ryan had never reacted like this to anyone. He had always been indifferent, unwilling to open up to any girl. But Freya was different. He had accepted her from the very first moment.
'Stop messing around, Ryan, this isn't simple.' I reminded him.
'Why?' Ryan growled. 'She's our mate. I don't care; I know we can't leave her!'
'I won't leave her!' I almost roared, but the sound only echoed in my mind.
Silence fell after that sentence.
I can't leave her.
It's a truth I can't deny.
My hand rose but then stopped in mid-air. I wasn't sure what to do. I wasn't used to this kind of hesitation.
An Alpha who hesitates; it's ridiculous.
But now, looking at the girl in front of me, I didn't know whether to step forward or step back.
Ultimately, I stood there, my gaze fixed on her for a long.
'No matter what happens, she's our mate, Lucian. We won't let her go again.'
Ryan whispered, like an oath.
I didn't answer.
But I knew I wouldn't let her go either.
The sound of the door opening brought me out of my thoughts. A nurse walked in, a tray of medicine in her hand. Her eyes swept over me for a moment before quickly stopping on Freya.
"Alpha," she bowed, her voice calm but somewhat reserved.
I didn't respond; I just stared at her movements as she examined Freya.
The nurse gently checked each wound, her face still professional, but I could see a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"How is she?" I asked in a low voice.
The nurse looked up at me, a little hesitant, then slowly replied:
"The bruises on the skin are not too serious, but her ribs show signs of damage. Fortunately, there are no cracks or fractures."
I glanced down at Freya's arm, still marked with bruises, and couldn't help but frown.
"What about the baby?" I asked, my voice not loud but carrying a terrifying weight.
The nurse immediately replied: "There are no signs of danger, but her recovery will be slower than usual since she's pregnant. Her body is prioritizing the baby's protection, so the wound will take longer to heal."
I clenched my fists. I didn't know whether to be angry or heartbroken; my emotions conflicted.
Ryan's voice echoed in my head, low and full of concern. 'Our Mate is too weak. She needs care.'
'I know.' I replied briefly.
Ryan growled softly. 'She's been hurt enough. We have to protect her.'
I looked at Freya, my cold gaze gradually softening.
The nurse bent down, opened the medicine box, and took out a bottle of healing ointment. She dipped her fingertips in it, preparing to apply it to the bruises on Freya's arms.
But at that moment, a low growl rang out in my head. 'Stop!'
I felt my body tense, my fingernails scratching my palms reflexively. My possessiveness flared up violently as I saw the nurse's hand about to touch my mate's skin.
The nurse flinched at the invisible pressure radiating from me, her fingers stopping mid-air. "Alpha?" She hesitated, her voice trembling slightly.
I reached out, snatching the medicine bottle from her hand. "I will."
The nurse's eyes widened, but she didn't dare to object. Bowing her head, she quickly gathered her tools and quietly left the room.
The door closed, and the room fell silent again.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my eyes sliding over the wounds on Freya's skin. Bruises littered her wrists, arms, and shoulders. Some of the scratches were still bleeding slightly, making me feel the anger simmering inside me grow even more.
'Be gentle,' Ryan growled in my mind, his voice tinged with displeasure. 'She'll get hurt if you're rough.'
'I know!' I replied in a low voice, opening the bottle and applying some to my fingertips.
As soon as my fingertips touched her skin, Freya frowned slightly. A slight shiver ran through her body, and her eyelids fluttered, but then she fell silent again.
Her skin was colder than I thought but still soft enough to make me want to hold her hand even tighter. This feeling was unlike anything I had ever felt before.
For the first time in my life, I was so careful.
I touched her skin again, the warmth spreading from my fingertips to the depths of my chest. I moved slowly, applying medicine to each wound as if I were just a little too strong; she would break.
A strange thought flashed through my mind - I had never cared for anyone like this before.
Never.
Yet now, I was kneeling by the bed, carefully applying medicine to a girl as if she were the most important thing I had. Ryan's voice was deep and meaningful. 'You don't need to be ashamed. She's our mate; taking care of her is what you should do. Lucian, if we miss her, we'll regret it.'
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