Chapter 11

Kellan pushed the bathroom door open, and I let out a soft gasp as my eyes landed on the sink.

Lined up neatly were a bottle of body wash, a bar of soap, strawberry-scented shampoo, hair conditioner, a towel, a sponge, and a set of clean, folded clothes.

I blinked, stunned. This wasn’t what I imagined the surprise to be.

He helped me toward the sink, steadying me until I could grip the edge myself. I stared at everything laid out in front of me, unable to believe it.

“When did… how did you get all of this set up?” I asked, my voice breaking slightly as tears stung my eyes.

“I snuck in last night while you were asleep,” Kellan said with a shrug. “I overheard the doctor saying you’d get your cast removed today, and I figured you’d finally be able to take a proper bath. Thought you might need these.”

My hand trembled slightly as I picked up the bottle of body wash. It was a feminine one, the kind I hadn’t used in ages. The strawberry scent hit me, comforting and familiar. I hadn’t had a proper bath in what felt like forever.

It might seem like a small gesture to anyone else, but for me, it meant everything.

Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. “Thank you… thank you, Kellan,” I whispered, turning to him. “I’m sorry I’m crying, I just…these are happy tears.”

He looked a little startled, his brows drawing together.

“I’m not used to this kind of kindness,” I added with a laugh, wiping at my cheeks. “It’s been a really long time since someone went out of their way to care for me like this. I don’t even know why I’m explaining it to you, I just… I guess I’m overwhelmed.”

Kellan smiled softly, reaching out to tap the top of my head gently. “You’re welcome, Seraya. It’s just who I am. Being the Beta comes with instincts, to protect and to care. It’s kind of inbuilt. So, I’ll leave you now to enjoy your first real bath in a long time.”

He stepped back toward the door, but then added with a small grin, “And after that, we’re going downstairs for breakfast with the others.”

I froze.

Wait, what?

My head snapped up. “Go where?”

“Downstairs,” he repeated, slower this time like I hadn’t heard him clearly. “To have breakfast.”

“Why?” My voice came out louder than expected. “Why can’t I just eat here like I’ve been doing all these days? I mean, I’m okay with eating with you, but with others? Strangers?”

“Yeah. You’re healing and you’re getting stronger. I figured it would be nice for you to get some fresh air and change your environment. You’ve been cooped up in this room for days, Seraya. You haven’t even seen the sun.”

I bit my lip, anxiety creeping in.

“It’s not going to be a grand breakfast,” he reassured me. “Just a small breakfast. Six, maybe eight people max, if everyone shows up. And that includes me and Lucian, so you’ll at least have two familiar faces there.”

“Lucian would be there?” I asked, my voice dropping as I started fiddling with my fingers. I wasn’t sure how I felt about stepping out anymore. I hadn’t seen him in days, and the idea of facing him again today made something twist in my stomach.

“Yes, he’ll be there,” Kellan confirmed. “And he’ll get to see how much better you’ve gotten.”

“Like he cares at all,” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes.

Kellan raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?”

“If he really cared, he would’ve come to check on me. At least once.” I sighed. “But he didn’t. Not a single visit. And that’s because he probably sees me as nothing but a nuisance.”

There was a moment of silence. Kellan didn’t argue. He didn’t try to defend Lucian, and that said more than words ever could. A part of me knew he couldn’t because he knew I was right.

“I’ll wait for you outside,” he said after a moment. “Hopefully, you’ll change your mind and decide to eat with us this time.”

Then he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My good mood was already ruined, all because of Lucian. I dropped my towel to the floor and stepped into the tub, turning on the water.

“Why do I even care whether he checks on me or not?” I muttered to myself as the warm spray hit my skin. “It’s not like he’s that important.”

The hot water washed over me, melting away the stiffness in my joints. I tilted my head back and let it hit my face. I had missed this feeling, this simple comfort of standing under running water. It felt like a luxury now.

I took my time, scrubbing every inch of my body and watching the dirt swirl down the drain. When I reached for the shampoo, I smiled slightly. Kellan had even remembered to get a strawberry-scented one. I worked it into my scalp, grateful he had thought of everything. The last thing I needed was to walk around with a head that smelled like sweat and dirt.

Once I was done, I wrapped a soft towel around my body and another around my hair. I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.

I looked… better. Healthier.

More alive than I had the last time I took a proper look at myself. There was even a bit of color in my cheeks now.

I turned slightly, catching the sunlight streaming through the window and warming my damp skin. My eyes moved to the door.

Should I go? Do I really want to face Lucian?

But then again… I was tired of staying cooped up in this room and also, sooner or later, I would have to step out. I would have to see him again. Avoiding him forever wasn’t possible.

So why not now?

“Why was I even scared of facing him when I’d done absolutely nothing wrong?” I scoffed.

I wasn’t the one who abandoned anyone.