Taming the Beast

(Caroline's POV)

I groaned and touched my arm gingerly. All I felt was a thick piece of gauze covering a hole a little bigger than a bullet wound. Everything came rushing back to me. My own brother; I wondered how he was taking all of this. I never in a million years wanted him to find out. Tenderly, I blinked my eyes open. I looked around the white washed room until my eyes finally landed on a figure sitting in a chair, bouncing his leg nervously.

"Aiden," I croaked. He shot up and handed me a cup of water. I took a generous sip and thanked him. He took my hand gently in his.

"I'm so glad that you're okay," he whispered. His eyes were red and puffy like he'd been crying. "It's all my fault. I'm so sorry. I should've been protecting you better. I shouldn't have let you go back by yourself," he started rambling. I shook my head.

"It's not your fault. She would've found a way to me eventually," I brushed him off and looked around the nearly empty room. I felt my hear sink. "Aiden, where's Keegan?" I asked softly. Aiden avoided my eyes as he fiddled with his hands. I felt tears sting my eyes as I thought of the worst. I whispered Aiden name once more to catch his attention. He sighed and tugged on his hair.

"He won't... he doesn't want to see you like this. He's been locked up in his room since we got here," Aiden answered. I inhaled sharply. It was worst than thinking that he couldn't see me; he didn't want to see me. That hurt more than anything I could've imagined.

"What do you mean 'he won't'?" I asked hoarsely. Aiden shrugged.

"He hates seeing you like this, so he just... avoided seeing you all together," he tried to explain. "I'll go get him," Aiden said quickly. I felt the tears trickle down my face as I sniffled.

"Don't bother," I seethed before I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Aiden was by my side in a second.

"What are you doing?!" he asked as his eyes bulged. I sighed as I pressed my feet to the floor and stood on shaky legs.

"We're going home," I said softly. Aiden scooped me up and carried me up the stairs without another word. Aiden set me down when we reached my brother in the living room. Preston was playing with Karma on the floor. As soon as my brother saw me, he jumped up and wrapped me in a hug.

"Oh thank God," he sighed in relief at the same time I hissed in a breath and held my tender shoulder. I glared at him as he pulled away.

"I can't believe you shot me!" I yelled at him. He only laughed and hugged me again, lighter this time.

"I'm so glad that you're okay. I'm so sorry," he said softly. I hugged him back, instantly forgiving him. He kissed my head and I felt Preston tugging on my pants leg. I looked down to see that he was pouting and he wanted to be picked up. I smiled and did exactly what he wanted. I kissed his cheek and he giggled before I handed him over to Danny.

"I'm going home," I said softly before heading for the door with Aiden on my heels.

"Caroline," a broken voice called

from behind me. I froze and tensed as my breath caught in my throat. I wanted to turn and run into his arms, but he didn't want to see me balled my fists and bit me lip

I continued out the door. before

I walked

quickly, but he still caught my arm. I cried out in pain as my injured arm was pulled. Keegan quickly let go but grabbed hold of my waist instead. "Caroline, I'm so glad that you're okay," he breathed against my hair. I jerked away from him and glared.

"Did you even check on me, at least once?" I asked with some hope still. He looked down as he fidgeted.

"I couldn't stand to see you like that. Caroline, you were so pale and you looked... dead. I just couldn't," he said quickly. I don't know why it rubbed me the wrong way that he didn't check on me, but it did.

"I wanted your face to be the first

thing I saw when I woke up, but instead, you were cowering in your room. What kind of mate does that make you? What kind of Alpha is too afraid to face their own mate?" I asked in a whisper. He looked at me stunned and hurt but I didn't care. "I can't stand to be around you right now. I'll contact you when I'm ready," I said, heading to the car again. I got

in and got Aiden to drive away before Keegan could stop us. I sighed and leaned my head against

the window as I watched the

passing scenery.

"You didn't have to be so hard on him after everything," Aiden practically whispered. I only growled at him. He quickly shut up. The rest of the ride was in silence. We walked through the doors of the house and I sighed. I planned on sleeping for a very, very long time.

"How long was I out for?" I asked Aiden before he could disappear up the stairs. He looked off to the side thoughtfully as he hummed.

"Well, you were with the crazy bitch for about a week and then you were in a coma for about another week. It's almost time for spring break. Keegan told the school that you had a stomach bug," he said. Speaking of...

I rushed to the nearest bathroom

and released my guts into the toilet.

I heaved and heaved until there was nothing left. There wasn't much to begin with. I panted and wiped the tears from my eyes as I tried to regain my composer. I sighed and closed my eyes briefly before I rinsed my mouth out. I rubbed my hand over my face before letting it rest on my forehead as I leaned against the counter. I felt myself being picked up in a cradle.

"Come on," Aiden said in a way that was meant to get a two year old in bed. I would've fought him on it but I was too tired. I leaned my head against his chest instead. He laid me down on my bed and pulled off my shoes before pulling the covers over me. "Get some rest," he whispered. I closed my eyes and complied. I was exhausted anyway.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐