Carter POV.Fucking hell. It was a good thing Dani called me telling me she saw Asteria in the store. If I didn’t arrive when I did, she would no doubt be dead. When I ripped Lacey away from her. The others scattered, but Dani came running and pounced on Lacey and held her to the ground.“Someone call 911!” Dani screams as she holds a thrashing Lacey to the ground. I lift Asteria in my arms and I growl at the state of her. Her eye is swollen shut and her nose is bleeding. She is out cold as I hold her to my chest when I can hear sirens of the police and no doubt an ambulance.“Asteria, wake up. Come on, wake up, please.” I shake her gently, but nothing. The police arrive and grab Lacey, who is screaming that Asteria deserved the beating. I growl at her and she stops her protests as the police cuff her and place her in the back of the car.The paramedics come over and look at Asteria. I hand her to them and they do their jobs. Lykos is pacing, wanting to kill Lacey and hunt down the ot
Asteria POV.The sound of beeping wakes me up. But it’s the warmth against my face that relaxes me further. I open my eyes and look around the dimly lit room. This isn’t my bedroom. I move to sit up and wince in pain, clutching my ribs. I can see out of one eye and my face hurts.I look around when hands move up my arms, and I jump slightly.“Asteria, you are ok. You’re in the hospital.” I look down and see Carter beneath me and I look at the wall a head of me and try to remember what happened. When I shake my head slowly.“They attacked me.” I say, and he shifts and pulls me gently back down onto his chest. His arms wrap around me as he kisses my head.“I’m sorry my love. Yes, they did. Lacey has been arrested, but the others got away. Are you sore anywhere?” he asks me and I nod my head. There is no point in lying because if he can feel the bond, then he will know I’m in pain.“Ok, I will call the nurse to get you some pain meds. Are you hungry? Thirsty?” he asks, and my stomach gru
Asteria POV.It has been a week since the attack and I’m now back in the settlement. Gaia still comes to see me, but I refuse to see Carter. The sooner he realises I’m no good for him, the better.I haven’t returned to the company and I won’t be anytime soon. I need to be alone with my thoughts. But I need to get Bethany to come for me. Gaia told me Lacey was released from the police and nothing was done about the attack. I knew nothing would happen.I sit on the porch holding my cup as I look at the treeline. I don’t know what I’m waiting for or why I do this every day, but I know I need to be ready. My injuries are still healing, but it is bearable.I sit out all day just feeling the sun on my skin when I hear it. Rustling from the side of the cabin. I turn my head and wait to see what or who it is. But nothing.I sigh and lean back against the cushions and finish drinking my drink. I wrap the blanket around my shoulders and think about moving. But I can’t. It is too much effort.Th
Carter POV.After leaving Asteria, I can’t focus on anything as I sit wide awake in my bed. I get out and move to the balcony and look out over the water, then shift my gaze to the forest. Knowing that is where she is. She doesn’t want us. But I know somewhere deep down she does. She is just being stubborn. I will give her more time and space if she needs it.“Mate will come around. You’re right, she needs time and space. But I don’t like it. She should be here with us,” Lykos grumbles. He has been a major pain in my ass since she kicked us out of her hospital room that night. Even yesterday, she seemed more determined to let us go.I’m shocked the rejection didn’t work, but it is another reminder of the mate bond that she doesn’t feel. Maybe she is right that this is my punishment for marking her by force. Either way, we will give her space and when she is ready, she will come to us. I don’t care how long it takes. I will be ready and waiting for her. I will welcome her back with ope
Asteria POV.Standing on the beach, the same beach I was captured from. I look around for any signs of Bethany, but I can’t see her anywhere.I take a few steps forward before I look at the water and shake my head. The only way out of here is up at the road. I look up towards the road, but I don’t see her or anyone, for that matter.I sigh before I turn and move towards the rock formations and sit down. I know there is also a cave not too far from here. I doubt she has gone there. If anything, she should be here, but if it was over thirty minutes ago, she will be long gone.I look back at the water again and I have a feeling that I’m being watched. I sit here for a little while longer just as I hear the screech of tyres on the road and Carter shouting my name. Great, I don’t need him here. Doesn’t he understand the reason I’m acting like this is to protect him? For fuck’s sake!“Asteria! Are you ok?” he comes running towards me and I look up at the sky. Having to keep up this façade i
Asteria POV.Gaia and Fenrir have both come to check in with me and I know they have spoken to Carter, but I don’t ask how he is. I know he isn’t ok, and that kills me further, but it is for the best.“Any news on Bethany?” I ask and Gaia looks at Fenrir and they both shake their heads in a no!“She has to be somewhere. No-one can just disappear like that, especially a human. What do we know so far?” I ask as my kitchen has become HQ for operation find and kill Bethany Patterson.“Nothing. She hasn’t made herself known since that day. Which is really strange. Why did she make herself known and then disappear on the beach?” Gaia says and I try to rack my brain as to why.“She isn’t alone in this little revenge mission. She isn’t strong enough to take me down on her own. The military has no need for her. So she must have someone who is willing to help her, otherwise she wouldn’t have had the balls to go to find Carter in the first place.” I say as I look at both Gaia and Fenrir.Fenrir
Carter POV.Something is telling me to head to the cove and against my better judgement, I go. And it’s a damn good thing I did.I get out of the car and see Asteria walking along the shoreline when I look from her and see a siren in the water. I gasp and move as I watch Asteria enter the water as this new siren moves closer to her. She has platinum blonde hair. Her skin is pale, but I can see the sheen of scales on her exposed skin and face.The scent of blood hits me, and I feel pain in my stomach. My eyes widen when I realise this siren has just hurt Asteria. I move fast as I stumble to see Asteria leave the water, her hands covered in blood as it drips from her stomach.She drops to the sand and chokes as I run towards her. I look at the siren in the water, who has a sinister grin on her face. She shrieks before she dives and I see a silver fin leave the water as I reach Asteria, her eyes closed.“Asteria, stay awake. Stay with me.” I look down at where her hands are and blood is
Asteria POV.That damn beeping better fuck off! I open my eyes with great effort and panic, as I can’t breathe properly. My eyes go wide as I choke, feeling something in my throat. I cough and choke and I grab it and panic. There is a tube in my mouth.The beeping gets louder and faster as I pull. It hurts, tears leave my eyes as I keep pulling until it is out and I cough and wheeze. I take a big lung full of air and look around the room as the door bursts open and in comes Carter, Fenrir, and Gaia. I choke on my tears as Carter moves to me and I hold my arms out for him and he holds me.“Shh, it’s ok. You’re alive. Breathe Asteria.” His scent calms me, and I follow his instructions. When the beeping slows down.I move from him and see the tears in his eyes and I don’t think I just act. I pull him closer to me and kiss him.Tears leave my eyes and I can taste them on my lips as I deepen the kiss. He moves away from me and strokes my cheek before he places his forehead against mine.My