Chapter 15
Kaeleen’s POV
I gave Rebecca a warning look. If looks could kill then my sister would be six feet under right now. Rebecca had a big mouth. It was funny how just her seeing with Astrid could tell how much we were connected to each other. The only problem now was that while Astrid could feel it also, she fought it. She was obviously uncomfortable with the question Rebecca asked her even if I wanted to know her answer also.
But I could practically see the discomfort radiating off Astrid, and my sister, was fucking oblivious or rather, she didn’t care. Rebecca had this habit of wanting her close friends and family to find a match just like she had found one in Alex. And while she had good intentions, she sotis did too much. As was the case right now.
"Alright, you two," I said, clapping my hands together. "Give us a minute, would you? Astrid and I need to...discuss sothing."
Alex, ever the perceptive one, imdiately steered Rebecca away, muttering sothing about needing to check if the others who were supposed to be arriving had done so. I watched them go, then turned my attention back to Astrid. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, her eyes wide and uncertain.
"Astrid, I am so sorry about Rebecca," I said, my voice laced with sincerity. "She can be a bit much sotis. She doesn’t an to make you uncomfortable."
Astrid gave a small, hesitant smile. "I understand," she said softly. "She’s just...very direct."
"That’s one word for it," I chuckled. "Look, I just wanted to apologize. And to make sure you know that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. You don’t have to move to Erald Glade. You don’t have to...anything."
Astrid’s gaze t mine, her eyes searching. "But...you want to, don’t you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "That’s what Rebecca was implying."
I hesitated for a mont, then decided to be honest. "Yes," I admitted. "I do."
"Kaeleen.." she began her voice laced with uncertainty.
I liked the way she said my na. It was like it held more aning. It was like a song coming from her. A praise I wanted to bask in.
I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest. "You know, Astrid, there’s a connection between us," I said, my voice low and husky. "I know you feel it too. You can’t deny it. It’s sothing I’ve never experienced before."
"From the mont our eyes t in that hall, I wanted you. I would hear you calling my na. I wanted to claim you as mine just from that mont. Seeing you cry makes my heart ache. Seeing how you are being treated here like you don’t matter, makes burn in anger. I hate that you have to go through shitty things like this. I hate that."
She opened her mouth to speak but I was on a roll and I couldn’t stop myself now.
"Yesterday, after you sent away, I was on my bed as a thousand thoughts went through my head. If you would be comfortable in that stupid building that even rats wouldn’t want to live in. When the storm began, it felt like my chest was about to burst. The only thing that kept going was the need and desire to know that you were safe and unhurt. And when you slept next to .." I shook my head.
There was only so much I could do not to jump at her at that mont. Hence why I fell asleep late and had no idea she had even left the room until this morning. She was running and I hated the fact that she was.
I paused, taking a deep breath. "I don’t want to co off as a creep, Astrid," I continued, "And I definitely don’t want you to feel like you have to choose . This isn’t about forcing you into anything. It’s just...I can’t deny the connection between us. And I don’t think you can either."
Astrid looked down, her expression unreadable. "I’m mated to soone," she said softly, her voice laced with sadness.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know," I said gently. "But even you know that argunt is weak. The person you’re mated to...the person who should be cherishing you, doesn’t want you. He hasn’t for a long ti."
I imdiately regretted my words. Astrid flinched, as if I had physically struck her.
"I’m sorry," I said quickly, reaching out to gently cup her face in my hands. "That was harsh. I didn’t an to hurt you."
Astrid looked up at , her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and understanding. "It’s okay," she said softly. "It’s true."
We stood there for a mont, just staring at each other, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.
I released a long, shaky breath. "Look," I said, glancing at my watch. "I have to go. The eting is likely to begin soon. But...will you promise sothing?" I asked, my voice hopeful.
"What is it?" She asked .
"Co to my room tonight."
Astrid’s eyes widened, and she took a step back. "Kaeleen, I don’t know...Yesterday was a risk. This will cause trouble for you if people find out and I’ll find sowhere else to sleep. You don’t need to associate yourself with ."
"But I want to associate myself with you. To be sincere, you are the best thing this pack has to offer. And I only want what’s best." I said to her with a wink which elicited a small smile from her.
"But.."
"I want you there. Just...humor , okay? I’d prefer it if you were with . I want to know you’re safe." I told her.
"Fine. But only if you tell more about Yvonne." She said,
I gasped in mock hurt. "And here I thought you’d want to know more about and not so annoying brat." I told her.
She chuckled, quietly. I wanted to hear more of that sound. I hated how this pack had dampened her spirit.
"Here," I said, handing her back her drawing book. "Don’t forget this. I want to see more of your work."
"I have to go..but I’ll see you tonight?" I asked her.
"Yeah."
I gave her a little wave as I walked away. I wasn’t going to leave the Moonshade pack without taking Astrid with . She was a diamond amongst these weeds. They were doing so much to destroy her beauty and I wasn’t going to let it continue for long. I was going to take her with . And I was going to convince her to co with .
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