The Blood Moon Twins
Chapter 44

HARPER

\tl went to the pack hospital once everything calmed down. The students had been escorted away as soon as the warriors had shown up. Any student who had an injury was taken to the pack medical wing, but Remy was the first one to get looked at. Caulder hadn't left her side the entire time, and as much as I wanted to be with both of them, I didn't want to get in the way. There were too many people who wanted to check on the alpha's daughter.

\tInstead, I waited outside of the room. Remy was okay. Luna Adira was able to heal her enough to keep her alive, so she had to be okay. I refused to let myself think otherwise, even though I hadn't received an update from anyone yet. There were too many people fluttering around the pack house and the medical wing, and it was suffocating.

\tl found myself walking away, unsure of where I was going, but the moment I was by myself, I slumped against the wall. I hugged my knees into my chest and the sobs started pouring out. Remy was going to be okay. I told myself that on repeat, but it didn't help silence my cries.

\tl had done my best to keep a level head in the moment, but now that it was over, all of the fear and terror of the attack flooded my system, and I couldn't stop it. My little bubble had been shattered. I thought the worst thing I had to worry about was girls trying to steal my boyfriend, but that was so minor in comparison to the reality of everything.

\tRemy's blood was still covering my clothes and hands, which was a constant reminder that we had almost lost her. Whatever this thing was that was targeting her was more dangerous than I had imagined, and the next time it attacked, there was a very real chance that someone could actually die, and that thought made the tears flow even more freely.

\tFootsteps echoed in the empty hallway, but I couldn't bring myself to look up. My cheeks burned from all of the crying, and my eyes ached, but I still couldn't stop.

\tComforting hands wrapped around my body and lifted me up. The smell alone told me it was Caulder. He pulled me close to his chest, and his heartbeat started to soothe me. I was still crying, but the sobs had quieted.

\t"She's going to be okay," Caulder whispered, kissing the top of my head. His voice was hoarse, and it made me wonder how much he had been crying. "My mother got to her in time, and Doctor Zayla says she'll make a full recovery. She hasn't woken up yet, but they are sure she will."

\t"Caulder," I hiccupped, hearing the creakiness in my voice.

\t"Shh, it's okay. Just relax." Caulder pulled me closer to his body and held me tightly, making me feel even better. I couldn't believe I had almost broken up with him earlier. He was always there for me, even when he had his own stuff going on. \tCaulder started walking down the hallway, but I just rested my head against his chest, not caring where he was taking me. I just focused on listening to his heart and calming my own. He opened a door, and when I peeked to see where we were, I recognized his room instantly.

\tHe took me into his private bathroom and sat me on the edge of the bathtub. He knelt in front of me and took my hands.

\t"We should get you cleaned up. I can wait for you in my room to give you privacy," Caulder suggested. His voice was calm, but his eyes were filled with worry.

\tl thought about Caulder leaving, and I grabbed his hand, holding him tightly. "I don't want to be left alone."

\t"I can turn around if you want." Caulder seemed hesitant about the situation, but he also wasn't rushing to leave.

\tl shook my head. "Please don't."

\t"Okay," Caulder said, keeping his eyes on mine.

\tl felt like a fool. It was Caulder's sister who was hurt, and he was the one who saw it happen. I knew he had more than enough on his plate, and I was here acting like a child because I didn't want to be left by myself. However, the image of Remy bleeding out in front of me wouldn't leave my brain. I was terrified I would lose her and then lose Caulder shortly after, and it felt like too much.

\tCaulder helped me to my feet and reached past me to turn on the shower. While the water was warming up, he helped me take off my shirt, keeping his eyes on mine the entire time. He continued to strip me down, and even though our close proximity made the moment feel extremely intimate, he stayed respectful the entire time.

\tHe helped me in the shower and started washing my body off with a washcloth, making sure there wasn't a drop of blood left on me. Then he washed my hair, and I felt myself closing my eyes and enjoying every little touch of his fingers. He took his time before quickly rinsing himself off.

\tWhen we were done, he gently wrapped me in a towel before covering himself. My eyes lingered on his glistening torso, and I couldn't help myself from admiring just how attractive he was, especially with just a towel around his waist, but now was not the right time to initiate things. Even if he wasn't saying it, I was sure Caulder was beyond stressed that Remy got hurt.

\tPart of me felt like he was making sure I was taken care of because it was something in his control. With Remy, there was nothing he could do to help her, and I was sure he was beating himself up because of that. I wanted to comfort him and tell him it would be okay, but it felt like words would never be enough, because they would only be empty.

\tl stepped forward and cupped his face before pulling him into a kiss. With the soft touch, I wanted to reassure him that I still wanted him, especially after everything that had happened. I wanted to tell him I still had faith in him and his abilities, even though things hadn't gone the way he wanted them to today.

\tCaulder held me by the hips, even as he pulled away from the kiss. His head rested against mine, and his breathing felt rugged. He tightened his grip, and I wished I knew what was going on in his head. I was worried I had pushed him too much, only hurting him more. I knew he hadn't been able to use healing magic, but I still pushed him to try because I was scared for Remy's life. It was selfish of me.

\t"I'm sorry," I whispered, the guilt starting to eat at me.

\tCaulder pulled back and tilted his head at me. "What for?"

\t"I shouldn't have begged you to try to heal Remy like that. I should have known better, and I don't want you to feel like you failed because of that." My heart raced as the words spilled out of my mouth. Caulder didn't seem angry or upset with me, but he was more reserved than usual, and I knew he was upset with himself. It felt like it was my fault, and I hated that.

\tCaulder grabbed my chin and gently lifted my head. "You have nothing to apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong. You were just trying to help."

\t"You didn't do anything wrong either," I said.

\tCaulder didn't respond right away, and I knew he didn't believe that. I wasn't sure if there was anything I could say to help him see the truth, either. \tCaulder forced a smile and said, "Come on. Let's get dressed."

\tHe grabbed my hand and led me out of the bathroom. He gave me one of his sweatshirts and a pair of boxers to change into, and he made a point to look away when I changed, even though I didn't feel it was necessary, since we had just taken a shower together. When we were both clothed, we climbed into his bed, and he held me against his chest. I felt calm in his arms, but I could tell he was still on edge, so I fought falling asleep for as long as I could.

\t- \tCAULDER

\tHarper was almost asleep. It had taken her a while to calm down, but her body was heavy against mine. I didn't want to disturb her, but I also didn't want her to wake up alone and panic. \t"I'm going to see Blade tonight," I whispered, in case Harper was already asleep.

\tShe shifted her position and looked up at me with sleepy eyes. "Now?"

\tl stroked her hair and shook my head. "No. Soon. After you fall asleep."

\t"I can come with you," she suggested. Her eyes were already closed again, so I knew she wouldn't last the time it would take to meet up with him and return home-not that I wanted her to come anyway. I wanted her to stay in the pack house where I knew it was safe. \t"It's okay. Just rest. I'll be back before morning."

\tHarper hummed in response, and it wasn't long before she was fast asleep. I waited a few extra minutes before getting up and pulling on a pair of sweatpants. I made my way out of the pack house, which was easier than normal, since the warriors were still trying to find clues about what had happened.

\tl was sure my parents would pull me in for a meeting at some point, but my mother hadn't left Remy's side, and my father was working hard to figure out how to better protect the pack. Since this was the second attack, everyone was growing scared, especially because people were actually injured this time, and they were all students. The safety of the pack had been completely shattered.

\tl had more freedom for now, but I knew that wouldn't last long, so I wanted to make sure I saw Blade while I still could. He risked himself helping out, and he left when we asked him to. He deserved to know what was going on with Remy.

\tl shifted into wolf form and ran to the lake. When I made it there, I saw Blade pacing back and forth, and he looked like he was about to go crazy. When he heard me approach, he snapped to attention, and for a brief moment, he looked relieved. But then he saw that it was just me, and his entire body sank with disappointment.

\t"Where's Remy?" he demanded, but it wasn't a forceful demand. It was a demand that came from desperation and fear.

\tl shifted into my human form and quickly got dressed. "She's alive," I assured him before going into the details.

\t"Then why isn't she here?" He was worried and scared, and everything about his mannerisms told me he cared deeply about my sister, despite the short amount of time they had known each other.

\t"She was injured, and she couldn't make the journey," I said. I was sure if Remy was awake and well enough, she would have made seeing Blade a priority. Even if she wasn't well enough, something told me she would find a way to see him.

\t"Did she send you here?" Blade stopped moving, and his body stiffened.

\t"I wish she had," I admitted. "She hasn't woken up from her injuries yet, but our pack doctor expects her to make a full recovery."

\t"You were supposed to protect her." Guilt filled his voice, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. I had failed to protect her like I said I would, but maybe he could have if he had stayed. I knew that was what he was thinking, because I had already had the thought a million times over. I shouldn't have told him to leave.

\t"I know." I couldn't bring myself to say anything else.

\tA heavy silence filled the air as we both blamed ourselves for Remy's condition.

\tFinally, Blade said, "If Remy didn't send you, then why are you here?"

\t"I want you to train me."