Chapter Ten: Protecting What's Mine

Asher 

Why wasn't she waking up?

 It had been over an hour since I'd administered treatment to her injuries, and her body had seemingly healed itself. Yet, Kaida's eyes remained closed, her breathing shallow. Even if she'd suffered internal damage from Kai's assault, an hour should have been sufficient for a werewolf's accelerated healing process to take effect.

 I studied her face, attempting to pinpoint what made her so captivating. There was an enigmatic quality about her that eluded me. My brothers had been acting strangely since her arrival. First, Kai, and now Caspian. 

Kai's volatile temperament had always been a concern, but his encounter with Kaida months ago seemed to have exacerbated his instability. Being under the same roof must have triggered his aggression. He could have merely threatened her if he harbored animosity, but attempting to kill her was uncharacteristic. 

My brows furrowed as I tried to understand Kai's psychological response to Kaida. His aversion to women stemmed from a traumatic experience, leading him to avoid them altogether. However, his reaction to Kaida was distinct, culminating in a violent outburst. 

My lips twisted into a frown as I pondered Kai's behavioral pattern. None of the previous house staff had elicited such a pronounced loss of control from him. Although he'd been involved in their abrupt departures, he'd never resorted to physical violence or attempted murder. "Attempted murder," I repeated, the words leaving a bitter taste. 

My gaze returned to Kaida's face. With her eyes closed, her vibrant personality was masked. Her sharp wit, daring demeanor, and intrepid nature were all hallmarks of a strong individual. Her fiery red hair reminded me of a figure from Kai's past, although that person's hair had a slightly tamer shade, whereas Kaida's was bold and fierce.

I wondered if the past was repeating itself. Although Kaida bore no striking resemblance to the woman who had sparked the turmoil that haunted us every full moon, there was a certain similarity between them. They shared the same exuberance, vivacity, and wittiness, which must have triggered something within Kai. Perhaps there was a more complex reason at play. 

I raised my hand to touch Kaida's forehead; she wasn't running a fever. Her body seemed to have healed normally. I checked her pulse and other vital signs to confirm my assessment. Everything appeared to be in order. Then, why wasn't she regaining consciousness? 

My gaze shifted toward the door as Caspian entered the medical room, dressed in a new outfit. I noticed he hadn't taken the time to clean up before tracking us down. I pursed my lips, my eyes narrowing as he approached Kaida's bed. 

I felt a surge of suspicion regarding Caspian's concern for Kaida; he was acting out of character. Volunteering to escort her to her room, his willingness to check on her, and his disheveled appearance all suggested a departure from his usual demeanor. 

The signs of his altercation with Malachi were evident. Kai must have been particularly difficult to restrain this time. I was growing increasingly concerned about Kai with each passing moon. As the one who bore the brunt of the curse's consequences, he was becoming more withdrawn, his aura darker. I recalled the boy he had once been before the traumatic event; all that remained now was a shadow of his former self. He blamed himself for our fate. If only he had listened... However, it was too late; the deed had been done.

"She's not waking up," I informed Caspian. He circled around to the other side of Kaida's bed, his movements fluid and purposeful.

The medical room was a repository of medical supplies, medical tomes, and remedies for various ailments, meticulously arranged on several rows of shelves built into the walls. This was where our ancestors had tended to their sick and injured through the postbellum era. Although the house had undergone recent renovations after we moved in, we had ensured that its heritage and original design were preserved.

 Our family's roots ran deep in Crystal Falls; this town was our origin. Our parents had started their lives here until their adventurous spirits had compelled them to relocate. The initial thrill of moving to Viagra Hills, a bustling city where several supernaturals converged and lived under a fragile treaty, had eventually given way to our family's downfall and threatened the continuity of our lineage.

"We should take her to a hospital," I told Caspian as he examined her with his senses as well. 

"You know we can't," Caspian replied, his voice heavy with emotion. 

My gaze narrowed further as I watched my brother, sensing that there was more to his interest in Kaida than met the eye. 

I was acutely aware of the risks involved in taking Kaida to a hospital. Questions would be raised, and our involvement would spark intense public scrutiny. Given our notorious reputation, the media would sensationalize the news of Kaida's collapse under our care if it leaked, and the consequences would be catastrophic. Yet, we couldn't simply sit back and watch her lie unconscious. 

She should have regained consciousness by now if she had a chance of recovering from this ordeal. She was currently in a vegetative state, a diagnosis that underscored the gravity of her condition. I had exhausted my limited medical knowledge in a bid to salvage her condition. During the hour I spent poring over medical tomes on the shelves, scouring the internet for information, and consulting with myself, I had found no solution. My research all pointed to one inevitable conclusion: if we cared about saving Kaida, we had to seek help from a professional.

Caspian checked her pupil dilation, meticulously sniffing the air around her for any subtle signs of unhealed injuries that might have eluded me. I had been thorough in my examination, and her physical body had seemingly healed itself. The issue, however, might be rooted in neurological or psychological trauma. I had encountered cases where patients unconsciously hindered their own recovery due to the emotional turmoil underlying their condition. 

My concern deepened as Caspian grasped either side of Kaida's temples, his claws extended and poised to pierce her skin. I shifted warily, my eyes locked on his hands. "What are you doing?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of apprehension.

 Caspian's gaze met mine. "I want to coax her body to heal," he replied, his voice steady. 

"You realize the risks involved if this isn't done precisely?" I cautioned, my tone measured. 

Caspian's eyebrow arched slightly, his expression hinting at a question: Did I truly doubt his capabilities? 

I had always looked up to Caspian as a leader, trusting his judgment and rationality in the face of adversity. Under his guidance, our family had flourished, transforming our modest beginnings into a Forbes-listed empire. Yet, the stakes seemed higher this time, and the potential consequences of failure weighed heavily on my mind.

"It's an ancient practice used to treat wolves in shock, facilitating their access to normal bodily functions, including healing," Caspian explained, his voice calm and assured. 

"You don't possess healing abilities. We're not healers," I argued.

"I can heal her," Caspian insisted, his conviction unwavering. "Now, please, Ash, let me concentrate," he added, his tone firm.

. A sense of foreboding lingered within me. "Let's consider taking her to the hospital, Cas."

Caspian's gaze turned stern, his eyes flashing with annoyance. "Use your head, Ash. A hospital is not the optimal choice, and you know that."

I fell silent, my doubts momentarily suspended. Caspian's claw pierced Kaida's temple, and a sudden jolt ran through me, as if I were the one experiencing the sensation. Blood trickled down the side of her head, staining the pristine white bed sheet. I held my breath, hoping against hope that Caspian's unconventional method would yield the desired results. 

As he closed his eyes, I felt his energy radiate through the air, focused intently on Kaida. However, her body began to spasm violently, her limbs convulsing in a disturbing rhythm.

I recoiled in my seat as Kaida's body convulsed violently, my gaze darting from Caspian to her. Caspian's forehead was furrowed in intense concentration, his face twisted in a mixture of effort and strain. It was evident that his attempts were exacting a toll on him, and Kaida's body was thrashing about as if struggling to break free from his control. 

The word "stop" hovered on the tip of my lips as I sat tensely, the air in the room thick with anticipation. Then, abruptly, Kaida's violent convulsions ceased, her body momentarily arched, and she collapsed back against the bed, rigid. 

My anger surged, short-circuiting my rational thought, and I exploded into action. Propelled by a primal urge to protect Kaida, I lunged out of my seat and hurled myself at Caspian, my body soaring over Kaida's prone form. 

We both crashed into the bed beside hers, which shattered beneath our combined weight, splintering into fragments.

Pinning Caspian down beneath the debris, with my weight pressing down on his chest, I snarled into his face, my voice barely recognizable, "Get your hands the fuck off her!"