CHAPTER 23

Waiting for the door to burst open.

But it doesn't.

Furrowing my brows, I look through the slits, and my thudding heart stops.

Dom had grabbed the wrist of the man.

Stopping him.

"What happened… Sir?" he asks, terrified.

Dom replies coldly, "Don't."

All the boys share a look, and my eyes widen as all the attention shifts to Dom.

"We sniff a woman inside, Sir Dominic. Alpha Kael needs to know about this, and she needs to be punished."

"You don't know these women. They are disgusting bitches, hiding in the men's locker room to watch us change. She deserves a whipping—"

The man again extends his hand to open the locker when Dom uses his Alpha tone this time, making everyone shiver under his command—including me.

"I will deal with her myself. Everyone. Out! Now!"

My eyes snap shut, and my breathing seizes. Before I know it, everyone sprints out of the room like their asses are on fire.

The locker door rips open, and Dom plants his elbow on the corner, looking down at me.

"Come out, Astrid."

I gulp and step out. He looks furious, but unlike Kael, there's also a softness in his eyes.

"...."

A warm finger slides past my cheek, and I look up, surprised to see him wiping a lone tear that has dared to trail down my face.

"They are not worthy of your tears. Trust me."

I wipe my face with both palms, giving him a broad smile—faking it quite well.

"Umm, it's nothing."

Clenching his hands into fists, he nods and steps back. The anger has slowly simmered down, leaving no traces.

"I wanted to tell you something…"

He nods, and I take a deep inhale.

"I don't know if it's right or wrong, but I want at least one person to know the full truth. And you're the only person I can trust in this pack."

Delving my hand into my pocket, I draw the letter from that mysterious man and forward it to him. He takes it from my hands with furrowed brows. I see his eyes scanning the words, and the expression on his face almost resembles Kael's—deadly.

"How long? Since when have you been receiving these?"

I rub my clammy palms on my pants and lower my eyes. Should I tell him about that day? Seeing my reluctance, he steps closer to me.

"Fuck, Astrid! That day… Did someone try to kill you? You didn't attempt suicide!"

I nod, and all the anger in his eyes is gone. A softness engulfs them. Out of the blue, I am engulfed in two warm arms, and all the emotions building inside me push to the surface, ready to spill. I hug him back.

His soft voice whispers in my ear, "I was so angry with you… I thought you… tried to kill yourself. Fuck! I am so sorry, Astrid. I should have known. You aren't that weak."

He pulls back to cup my face in his palms, his eyes the deepest shade of grey.

"Now, tell me every damn thing. You hear me? Who is this man? What did he try to do?"

I nod and tell him everything. He sits in front of me, listening patiently, his hands clenching and unclenching as I recount the scenes.

At last, I tell him how I saw a silhouette outside my room. However, I refrain from telling him how I slept beside Kael last night. I seriously don't know why I hid that from him.

"Did he say who sent him?"

"He… He said Kael can't save me because it's he who sent him."

"What bullshit! Kael can't do something like this."

I nod. "I know. So my only guess is that someone is trying to frame him. If I am murdered under his care, it will be a violation of the barter. He will be removed from the Alpha position, and it will be easier for his enemies to take over."

He gets up to pace the locker room. His eyes seem to have darkened.

"Kael needs to know this—"

"No!" I grab his arm, stopping him from mind-linking him.

"No, Dom, please. Kael will not trust me. He will say I am making this up—"

"This man is dangerous, Astrid. He has been fucking looming on our lands, living in the pack, and trying to murder the Luna."

"I know. But please don't tell him. He already hates me enough. Please, Dom. Promise me. You are the only person I trust in this entire pack. Don't break it. Don't make me regret telling you this."

He looks at me helplessly, his hair a messy affair—a result of his continuous tugging on it. Sighing and staring into my eyes, he finally agrees.

"Fine. But from now on, you are going to do everything that I say. Your safety is my first priority from now on."

Standing at attention, I raise my hand to salute him, smiling softly.

"Yes, Astrid!"

'See, finally, he, he, and he… the rest is… I'm on my way.'

'Sorry, I was worried something worse had happened to you.'

I was wading through the coats in the scorching sun, enduring the heat. My hands had turned red, and some areas were sunburned from the punishments Kael gives me for lagging or not finishing my duties on time.

I couldn't complain, though. If I bothered him, the stress would definitely take its toll.

Changing the sheets of my bunk, I continue to work, but soon, the sound of footsteps echoes behind me. A huge shadow envelops me completely.

"Washing clothes is not going to save you, Astrid."

Dom.

He was standing above me, staring at my pruned fingers. I hurriedly get up and place my hands behind my back.

"Dom…"

"Come with me."

My eyes widen, and I look around in fear. Kael has his eyes and ears everywhere.

"I can't, Dom. Kael has told me not to talk to you. What if—"

He doesn't wait. Grabbing my wrist, he tugs me along, and we stop behind a tree. Removing a bag from his back, he presses it into my chest.

"Here. Be ready by 5 in the morning. Do not be late."

I look at the bag and then at him. What does he mean? Opening the bag, I peek at its contents, and my eyes widen.

"What the—"

I take out a familiar khaki pant and shirt. It's the uniform the trainees wear during training. Why is he giving it to me?

"I know Kael will be against this idea, but I need to do what I feel is right."

"I will be training you with the other trainees from tomorrow onwards. I need you strong enough to at least protect yourself if the time ever comes."

My confusion only deepens.

"What are you saying, Dom? Training is prohibited for women. How can I—"

"That's the thing. You won't be training as a woman. You will be disguised as a man."

He speaks as if it's the most normal thing to do, and I blink, unable to digest his words.

'Disguised? As a man?'