Milk Bath

“She is still recovering, she’s pretty traumatized but she should be able to respond a little. Just be patient with her, father.”

Megan held onto her father’s hand and walked next to him as they walked out of his chamber.

As they walked down the hallway to the next building where Megan 's room was, everyone kept bowing and praising Talos.

They got to her room and found Ayman and another guard standing next to her door. Megan took the lead and opened the door.

Talos walked into the room and Megan shut the door behind them.

Immediately Belinda heard the door close, she hurriedly sat up. She was yet to fall asleep because she was worried about Megan not being able to talk to her father.

‘I don’t want to return to Alpha Cephas.’ She kept saying to herself.

“Belinda, this is my father, King Talos. Father, this is Belinda . The lady I talked to you about.”

Belinda wanted to stand and bow to him but Megan hastily stopped her. “You aren’t supposed to stand up, Belinda .”

Belinda slowly nodded and looked at Talos. She bowed her head and kept her head lowered until Talos told her to raise her head.

“How are you feeling now? Are you fine?” King Talos asked, and Belinda bounced her head.

‘Why can’t she talk?’ Talos thought and looked at Megan .

“She still can’t express herself well. She hardly speaks.” Megan answered and Talos nodded.

‘She does look very pale and malnourished.’ Talos moved away from the bed and looked at Megan .

“When she gets better and can explain what happened, bring her to me. I need to ask her some questions.” He said, and Megan nodded.

“Yes, father! I will do that. Thank you so much!” She uttered and hugged him again.

“I have other things to attend to. I’ll be gone for now.”

He looked at Belinda again, and finally walked out of the room.

“Yes!” Megan yelled inaudible, and slammed into the bed, next to Belinda . “We did it!” She uttered and Belinda smiled widely.

*

“She looks innocent, but she can’t be easily trusted. She needs to earn my trust.” Talos said to Ayman after they moved some meters away from Megan ’s room.

“What do you want me to do, My King?”

“Tell Damon to keep an eye on her. I trust Damon to do the job better than anyone else. He is stronger and isn’t easily moved by emotions. We need to be careful.”

“Yes, My King. So we don’t need the other guard?”

“Not now. Let Damon do it for now. When it’s the right time, I’ll tell you when he would be needed. The girl needs to feel comfortable if we are going to get any information from her. My son is the perfect person for the job.”

“I will do so, My King. The Alpha of Lichen Pack sent a message when you were with Princess Megan. He wants to discuss a private matter with you, My King.”

“Lichen pack? Oh, I bet they are here to show their daughters to Damon. I hope he will finally find a wife from among these ones. Or what do you think, Ayman?” He asked, folding his hands behind his back and walking away.

“I hope so too, My king.” He answered with a faint smile and a bow.

***

Megan called on her maids to prepare the milk bath for her and Belinda . Her bathtub was big enough to fit both of them.

While they prepared the bath, Damon walked into Megan ’s room. His cold, dark eyes locked with Belinda’s, and she hurriedly looked away in fear.

“I see you finally talked to our father.” He muttered.

“Without your help. Yes. And don’t worry, he doesn’t know you helped me. Why are you here anyway?” Megan responded sassily.

“Don’t give me that attitude. If not for our father, I will not be here.” He scoffed.

“What does he have to do with you being here?” Megan inquired.

“He asked me to keep an eye on your friend, and I really don’t want to, but you know how our father can be. I guess I’m stuck with you.”

“Whatever.” Megan rolled her eyes and gently disconnected the drip from Belinda ’s hand.

“Don’t worry, Belinda , I already called my healer and she said you don’t have to have this on anymore. You have taken in all the fluid. All you need to do now is eat, use your medications and rest very well.”

Belinda stared at Megan as she spoke. She bounced her head and let out a smile when she was done.

“Good. Can you walk now? Or do you still feel pain?”

“Yes.” Belinda’s tiny voice struck Damon’s ear, and he arched his brows.

‘How is her voice so tiny?’

“So she can speak now. Great.” He mumbled.

“Damon, back off, okay?” Megan rolled her eyes at him and looked at Belinda . “Damon will have to carry you to the bathroom then.”

“What? And why will I do that?” He asked.

“Because you can’t just stand there and do nothing! If you aren’t going to help, then leave. I’ll tell our father to look for somebody else, since you aren’t satisfied with his decision. You are carrying her.” Megan insisted.

Damon clenched his jaw and rolled his tongue in his mouth. “You’re so lucky you are my younger sister.”

“You’re so lucky you have a rare gem like me as a sister.”

“My Princess, we are done preparing the bath.” One of her maids stepped out of the bathroom to tell her.

“You can all leave, I’ll take care of her. Thank you.” Megan answered.

“Why are you telling all of them to leave? Aren’t they supposed to help you instead of me?” Damon asked.

“You are the stronger person here. Plus, I don’t think Belinda would be comfortable around anyone except us. All you have to do is carry her to the bathroom, I’ll do the rest.”

All this while, Belinda just watched the siblings argue because of her. ‘He doesn’t like me.’ She thought.

“Fine.” He answered and began to approach the bed. Megan moved away from the bed so that Damon could carry Belinda .

She yanked off the duvet from her body and walked to the bathroom door. She opened it and waited for Damon to carry her.

Damon moved very close to Belinda, and Belinda ’s heart began to beat against her chest very fast. ‘What if he hurts me?’

Damon looked at Belinda’s face and their gazes locked… again. Her pupil dilated as Damon looked into her big pretty eyes.

“Move closer. Stop moving away.” He said to her, and that was when she realized that she was moving away from him.

She bobbed and lowered her head as moved closer to him. She was still moving when he swept her off the bed with his hands, making her gasp.

“Easy with her, Damon!” Megan yelled.

“I didn’t do anything. Did I?” He asked, looking at Belinda , who slowly shook her head and kept her head bowed. His hands felt so strong around her body, and the way he smelled, she loved it.

Damon got to the bathroom and carefully made her sit at the edge of the bathtub. Megan took over and made Belinda rest her upper body on her.

“Thank you, Damon. You can leave now.”

“You don’t have to tell me before I leave.” He answered coldly and walked out of the bathroom. Megan held Belinda ’s arms and looked at her face.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Hm.” Belinda nodded.

“Wait… are you blushing? Your face is so red right now.” Megan teased, and Belinda shook her head shyly.

Megan broke into laughter and began to remove Belinda ’s clothes.

“You don’t have to feel guilty about it, I know my brother is a very hot man. Any woman would blush if he carried them.” She said as she got rid of her shirt.

“He… He hates me.” Belinda murmured.

“What? No. No, he doesn’t. He is like that with almost everyone. He has a very cold expression and hardly shows feelings or emotions. You’ll get used to it. Don’t worry.”

“Hm.” Belinda nodded.

“Hold onto the tub. I’ll pull the skirt from here.”

Belinda did as she was told and Megan pulled the skirt off her body. Megan lifted her and made her sit in the tub. After Belinda was in the tub, Megan also got rid of her clothes and sat in the tub.

“How is it? Nice, right?” She asked, and Belinda nodded with a warm smile.

“Your smile is so pretty.” Megan complimented, and Belinda shyly hid her face.

“Thank you.”

“Hmm. So, have you had a bath like this before?” She further asked, and Belinda shook her head. The smile on her face faded off gradually and Megan noticed it.

‘I think I shouldn’t have asked that.’

“Erm. How old are you?” Megan asked, trying to change the subject.

“Eighteen.” She softly answered.

“Hmmm, nice! I’m twenty and my annoying brother, Damon, is twenty-two. Have you had your first transformation? Or another full moon hasn’t come out since your birthday?”

Belinda hid her hands inside the milk bath and lowered her head. Megan swallowed hard and said; “You don’t have to tell me now if you aren’t ready, okay?”

Belinda nodded and kept her head lowered in sadness.