Chapter 7

I sit back onto my outcropping and watch Ashton as he paces the cave. He growls but says nothing. My abdomen hurts. “So, Ashton. Will I be learning anything today?”

Ashton stops pacing and turns to look my way. He shakes his head, “I can’t train you while you’re injured. Did he break any more ribs?”

I shake my head. “No, it was lower where he kicked me. My face got the worst of it when he slapped me.”

Ashton pulls me up to my feet. He delicately lifts my chin to examine the damage. He growls then steps back. Is he mad at me or the fact that I got beat yet again? “I'll be right back. Watch for the guards. If anyone comes near, slip back into your little crack.” He doesn’t wait for a response before stepping out of the cave, leaving me alone.

I twiddle my thumbs for a short while before I hear someone approaching. I hold my breath as the person gets closer and closer. I’m about to slip through the crack when Ashton pops into view carrying a cloth sack. I relax and then sit back onto my designated seat. “What’s in the bag?” I ask as he enters the cave.

“For you. I have ice packs, ace bandages, and a salve. Take your shirt off.” My eyes bug as I shake my head. “Don’t be a baby. We’re werewolves. We get naked all the time. Besides, you still have a bra on. I’m not checking you out. I’m going to tend to your injuries.”

He is right. We are werewolves, but I don’t get naked all the time. In fact, no one has ever seen me naked, let alone anyone as gorgeous as this man in front of me. Damn, I’m so pathetic. “Maybe you don’t mind stumbling around naked, but I do. I’ve never shifted with anyone else before.”

Ashton’s mouth drops open, and his eyes practically bulge out of his head. “You’re kidding me. What about your wolf? Doesn’t she need to run with other wolves?”

I find a pretty rock beside my feet to stare at. “She wants to, but like I told you, I’m the pack slave. No one wants to be near me nor my wolf.”

Ashton shakes his head as his jaw flexes in frustration. “That ends now. As soon as you’re healed, our wolves are going to run. Until then, my wolf will keep you company. Now, take off that shirt so I can take care of you. Trust me, Gypsy.”

I attempt to lift my shirt over my head but wince. Ashton is gentle as he coaxes it off. He wraps my ribs then slips an ice pack under the dressing. He then dips his finger into the salve and dabs it on my lip and around my eye. He pops a second icepack and holds it to my face. “Why are you being so kind to me? I’m a trespasser. Shouldn’t you turn me in?”

Ashton rolls his eyes. “I’m not going to turn you in, Gypsy. You’re not here to cause trouble; you’re here to escape it. You saved my life. Taking care of you is the least I could do. Besides, I like you. You’re not boring and…”

He doesn’t finish his thought; instead, he closes his eyes and turns away. I grab my shirt and wince as I try to slip it on. Ashton stops me. “What are you doing? Let me help you.” He maneuvers my shirt over my head then helps me to my feet. “Let’s get out of this cave. I know where we can go that’s safe.”

I shake my head. “It’s too dangerous.”

Ashton takes my hand and lifts my chin to look up into his eyes. “Gypsy. I promise to keep you safe. If anyone comes around, I’ll hide you like last time. Besides, we’re not even in Canyon Ridge territory. We’ll be outside of it the whole time.”

“We’re not in your territory? Are you sure?” I want to believe him, and I do, but I don’t trust that if anyone finds us I would be safe.

“Come on. I’m sure.” Ashton drags me behind him out of the cave and along the ridge of the canyon wall. “Where is your mother?” he asks me.

“She died giving birth to me. I was breach, and my shoulder got stuck. My dad told me that I was a miracle. I should have died, but for some reason, I didn’t.” Goddess, I miss my father. I would give just about anything to hear his voice again. He was always so patient with me.

“And your father? You said he killed the old Alpha?” I nod. Ashton continues to hold my hand as we walk along the ridge and chat. “So why isn’t he the Alpha?”

I stop, confused at the question. “What do you mean? After he killed Alpha Edgar, he had to run away, or they would’ve killed him. At least that’s what his letter said.”

Ashton moves a stray hair over my ear. My hand automatically follows behind it. “If an Alpha is challenged and killed, the challenger is the new Alpha. Your father should be the Alpha.”

I shake my head. “Everyone says my father is a traitor and a coward. I guess he didn’t challenge Alpha Edgar when he killed him?”

One of Ashton’s eyebrows raises. “So why did he kill him?”

I honestly don’t know the reason. No one does. All I know is what he left in the letter written to a six-year-old little girl. “He said he wanted to keep me safe. And before you ask, staying with my pack is the safest place for me.”

Ashton crosses his arms over his chest. “Getting your ribs broken by a pussy little Beta is safe? If your dad were alive, I’d break his jaw for leaving you behind. Goddess, I hope I get to meet your Beta. I’d give him as good as he gives you and then some.”

I swallow, elated at Ashton’s protectiveness of me, but I’ll be damned if he thinks he can talk crap about my father. “My father is alive, at least I think he is. He’s a good man. He stayed alive for me when my mother died. He raised me by himself until he couldn’t anymore. I am his everything. I trust him. I trust that he had a good reason for doing what he did. I miss him, but I don’t blame him, and I don’t hold anything against him. He couldn’t have known that Alpha Greg would make me his personal slave.”

Ashton relaxes and then takes my hand to lead me onward. “I’m sorry. It just pisses me off the way you’re treated. You’re too sweet to be put through the crap you’re put through.”

“Thank you. For being so kind to me. But Ashton, you can’t just fight Hunter; he’s a Beta. He’s the next Alpha of my pack. He’s strong and ruthless. Plus, he has the power of a Beta.”

Ashton snickers beside me, “I’m pretty sure I could take him. Look, there.” I gasp as I look where Ashton is pointing: to a cozy little cottage.