CHAPTER 13

"If I were you, I wouldn't argue with him or test him. Just stay in the shadows and live your life, Astrid. Everything will be much easier. Right now, all he sees is a murderer's daughter in you. But with time, I just hope he can get to see the real you—and spare you."

I hugged myself and dropped my eyes to my feet. He wasn't wrong. I shouldn't try to test him at times like this. Maybe I should try to be a bit more patient.

"Hmm," I replied, and he sighed, adjusting the wooden sticks.

A strange shiver made me shudder, and I rubbed my palms on my arms, realizing I was still freezing.

"You okay?"

I shook my head in a yes, clenching his jacket. I bit my lip to hold back the shivering, but it only worsened.

"Astrid?"

A strange numbness distorted my vision. The flames suddenly looked blurred, and my body entered into a quivering episode. I was trembling like a leaf.

"I… I don't know…"

"Damn it," I heard him curse, and the next thing I knew, I was pulled back to settle on his strong thighs. A warm front touched my back, and two strong arms wrapped around my frame.

"Shh, it's fine. It will help. Don't worry."

I didn't know why, but I trusted his words.

I was stiff initially, but as his body heat crept into mine, I started leaning onto him. Warmth. Yes. Finally. Before I knew it, I snuggled into his broad chest, and a warm blush rushed to my cheeks as my palms rested on his naked, hard chest.

He stiffened but didn't say anything. I felt safe. Protected. After a very long time.

But for how long? If Kael came to know, would he murder me with his bare hands? But did it matter? No. He already left me to die here. He wouldn't possibly care.

At this moment, I just wanted to enjoy this warmth. And that's what I did.

My eyes started feeling heavy when I remembered.

"I… I didn't ask for your name."

He pulled up his jacket to cover my back, looking down at me. His hot breath kissed my forehead as he spoke.

"Dominic Hunt."

Dom. I would call him Dom. I didn't know why I was smiling.

"Dom," I whispered softly, and the next thing I knew, sleep overtook me. I sank into oblivion while resting on his lap, snuggled to his chest.

---

My brows furrowed when I found myself moving. But how? Fluttering my eyelashes, I opened my eyes to be welcomed by a razor-sharp jawline. Deep grey eyes fixed in front.

Dom.

He… he was carrying me somewhere. One arm under my knees and the other under my back.

"Dom—"

I was going to ask him where he was taking me when suddenly he stopped. His expression changed, and his jaw hardened to stone.

At first, I failed to understand his shift in persona. But then I felt his aura—that same deadly, eerie feeling.

My body froze, and my heart thudded as Kael's low voice reverberated in the forest opening.

"What is the meaning of this, brother?"

The malice laced in his voice on pronouncing the word "brother" could make anyone flinch. But Dom didn't. Rather, I felt his grip tightening on me as Kael stepped closer.

My eyes looked into Kael's murderous grey orbs, but he didn't even look at me. He was busy rooting daggers into Dom's eyes.

"Weren't my orders clear? No one helps her."

"She was dying," Dom spoke in defense, and Kael's words of insensitivity made my eyes sting.

"So? How is that your problem?"

Before I knew it, I felt rough hands pulling me out of Dom's grip. And he let go.

My insides tore. No.

Dom looked at me. I looked at him. But he did nothing. He couldn't.

Kael's hands were rough and uncomfortable, his grip on me almost bruising. I gasped as he threw me over his shoulder like I was a rag doll, and the first tear left my eyes.

"Last warning, big brother. Don't interfere in my business, or you won't like how things turn out between us."

Dom said nothing, and I felt Kael walking toward the packhouse with everyone staring at us. His grip on me remained tight, and my mind froze when he walked into his bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Before I knew it, I was thrown into a bathtub, and he towered over me, his eyes blazing.

"Honey-trapping my brother already, huh? I underestimated you, doll."

My eyes widened, but before I could even say anything, a jet of water hit my face, and my body convulsed.

Why? What did I do now?

He had no mercy. No repentance.

"I didn't! Kael, listen to m—"

Tugging up my chin, he made me look into his eyes. A strange fire burned in them.

"My brother is too kind-hearted to show mercy on someone like you. But you already know that you don't deserve it. If I ever see you talking to him or even looking in his direction, no one is going to be worse than me, doll. I promise. You will be punished for every word, every second you spend conversing with him. Am I clear?"

He was protective of Dom. He thought I would use him for my escape. His rage was understandable.

I merely nodded in reply, and he switched off the cold jet of water drenching my body.

I thought he would leave after that, but he didn't. Rather, he started discarding his shirt, looking at my shivering body with coldness.

And my heart leapt in my chest when he took a step closer.

"What… what are you doing?" I asked, getting nothing in response except his silence.