Chapter 5

Morvienne tried to relax against the soft sheets, her body still tense despite how carefully Kael had laid her down. She was still afraid of staining the sheets, her breathing a bit shallow, but then, she forced herself to calm down and relax. She could still feel his eyes on her for a moment before he turned, heading toward the door.

Her hand shot out, wrapping around his wrist before he could take another step.

Kael stopped immediately and glanced down at her hand, then at her face, her wide eyes meeting his.

"I..." she started, her voice fragile like it was almost breaking.

"I am going to call the healer," he cut in gently, reassuring her. "You don't need to worry."

"No," she shook her head quickly, the fear returning to her eyes. "No... please. I— I just..." she trailed off, her lips shaking as she tried to find the right words.

"You're hurt," Kael frowned slightly, studying her. "You need help. You need someone to look at you. And, you also need to be treated."

"I know," she whispered, her grip tightening a bit on his wrist. "It's just. I don't... I don't know them and I don't just trust anyone right now, but... But for some reason, I feel safe with you."

For a moment, they both remained quiet, Kael's expression not changing as his eyes stayed on her. He seemed to be thinking, trying to figure out what to do about the situation.

Finally, he nodded once, slowly, and carefully took her hands from his wrist, lowering it back to the bed, his touch gentle. "Alright."

Then he stood straighter and asked. "What is your name?"

"Morvienne," she murmured. "Just... Morvienne."

He nodded again. "What happened to you, Morvienne?"

Taking her time, she inhaled and exhaled painfully, then spoke. "I've always been on my own. No pack. No family. No one."

She paused, swallowing hard before continuing. "I lived in the forest mostly... until the rogues came. They attacked the little home I had tried to make the forest be for me. Destroyed everything."

"I tried to run, but one caught me. I don't even know how I escaped but I had one thing in mind and that was for me to survive."

"I'm just... scared right now," she whispered, her breathing picking up and her eyes watery as the memory alone was too much. "I'll feel better soon. I know I will," she said, as if also trying to comfort and convince herself. "I just... I just don't want anyone else around me right now. Maybe later... when I've calmed down. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for being trouble."

"It's okay," Kael said after watching her quietly, his eyes softening just a little.  "For now, no one will come close to you until you're ready. Rest. You are safe here."

"Are you... leaving?" She blinked up at him, her voice soft and uncertain.

"Yes," Kael answered. "You need to rest."

Before she could say anything else, he turned and walked out, shutting the door behind him quietly.

He stood there in the hallway for a long moment, staring at the door. The image of her, trembling, bleeding and terrified, lingered stubbornly in his mind. 

He was not sure of what he should do now, and let out a low sigh, dragging a hand through his hair. 

"She wouldn't let anyone touch her, wouldn't even see a healer. What am I supposed to do?" He thought to himself. "Just leave her like that?"

"No," he frowned and turned toward his room. "I can't just leave her like that."

Inside his room, he went straight to his closet, pulled open the small cabinet where he kept a first aid kit.

"Tch," he muttered under his breath, feeling a bit hesitant. "This isn't my job."

But still, he grabbed the kit.

By the time he reached the guest room again, he paused at the door, took a deep breath and then pushed it open. 

Stepping inside, he closed the door behind him this time.

For a second, he thought she was asleep as her eyes were closed, and her face seemed calm, but when he moved closer, her lashes fluttered and her eyes opened slowly.

"Sit up," he said to her as he stopped beside the bed and sat down on the edge, setting the first aid kit beside him. "Let me take a look at your wounds."

Morvienne's lips parted slightly in surprise, but she didn't argue. She shifted, slowly and carefully, sitting up as his gaze met hers.

"Okay," he muttered and opened the kit, pulling out some antiseptic wipes, cotton pads, and bandages. Then, he glanced at her once, his eyes tracing the cuts on her arm and shoulder. "Hold still," he said quietly.

Morvienne swallowed and nodded, watching him as he tore open a packet and pressed the antiseptic wipes gently against her arm. The cool sting made her flinch, and a sharp hiss escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Kael's hand paused for a second. "Sorry," he murmured, then continued, cleaning around the wound until the blood cleared. 

"The cuts are not too deep," he said to her as he worked, concentrating too hard to notice her watching him. Then, he reached for the salve next, scooped a bit onto his fingers and spread it carefully over the cleaned cut.

Morvienne winced again, and he glanced up, his tone softer now. "It will stop burning soon."

"Okay," she nodded, her voice small and quiet.

When he finished wrapping the bandage around her arm, he moved to the next visible wound on her shoulder and finished up there as well.

"Are you injured anywhere else?" he asked, his voice even but gentle.

Morvienne hesitated before nodding. She lowered her eyes as she tugged at the torn fabric at her side, revealing the mark that ran across her ribs. The blood had dried a little, but it still looked painful.

Kael's brows drew together slightly and he leaned in closer, wiping the area clean in slow, circular motions. He was also careful not to press too hard.

The sting of the disinfectant made her breathe sharply through her teeth, her hands clutching the blanket beneath her.

When he was done there, he noticed her still sitting stiffly, her hands now moving to gather her hair and pull it over one shoulder, baring the smooth line of her back. He realized what she meant to show him next even before she spoke.

"There's one more," she said softly.

Kael exhaled quietly, then leaned behind her. He didn't say anything and just cleaned it in silence. 

When he finished applying the ointment and bandage, he closed the kit. "That should do for now."

Morvienne turned slowly, her eyes meeting his. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"It's okay," he responded and stood up with the kit. "Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, someone will come clean you up and help you out. I hope you will let them. I don't want your wounds getting wet."

"Can you manage to sleep like this till then, or should I have someone come now?" He inquired.

Morvienne shook her head quickly without hesitation. "I can manage like this."

Seemingly relieved, Kael nodded once and turned to leave.

"Wait," her voice stopped him halfway to the door. "You said this is your house?"

He turned his head slightly, one hand resting on the doorknob. "Yes."

"Who are you?" she asked softly.

"I am Kael Varyn," he said simply. "Alpha of the Varyn Pack."