Grace of a Wolf by Lenaleia

Chapter 182: Chapter 182

ASHLEY

I don’t understand what is happening today. My brothers and I have seen blood and a hospital room twice in under two hours, from two different women that are valuable to our family. Is this going to be the new normal? Just when I was starting to think that things were taking a turn for the better?

Doctor Ezra appears from the theatre and we all dash forward.

"How’s she?" Ashton enquires, mirroring our thoughts.

"She’ll be fine. We stopped the bleeding. Thankfully, there was no skull fracture or internal bleeding, just a mild concussion." Everyone exhales in relief.

"Thank you." Asher tells the doctor. Doctor Ezra nods his head while glancing meaningfully at each of us.

"I don’t mean to pry but I couldn’t help but notice some striking features between the patient and you guys. I want to believe I have been introduced to all members of your family but that woman...how is she related to you, if you don’t mind me asking of course."

Asher pulls a straight face. "You’re right. She’s indeed a relative, one you haven’t met. I hope the next time I make a proper introduction would be under more favorable circumstances. In the meantime, I trust I can count on your discretion?"

"Of course." The doctor replies, bobbing his head. He gives us a paternal smile before walking away. When I follow his brisk steps down the hallway, I spot Demi taking cautious steps towards us. Her head hangs low and a contrite expression is smeared across her face.

I haven’t seen her in a while. The only thing I recall right now as she edges closer is how she played games with my family only to change her mind when her plan went south, and pretend to save Ashal’s life. I don’t trust her. She must have pushed Skylar down the stairs.

"You’ve got some nerve coming here, you know that?" I spit angrily, ambling towards her with clenched fists. My brothers all turn at my outburst. When I draw closer, I realize there are tears in her eyes but they only serve to rile me up even further. She’s such a drama queen. Does she really expect us to fall for the act?

Yanking her wrist, I push her away.

"GET LOST OR I’LL PRESS CHARGES!" I warn her with sizzling eyes.

Ashton appears next to me. "Hey, calm down."

"Don’t ask me to calm down. This she-devil tried to kill our sister days after she had Ashal kidnapped and assaulted."

"That’s not true." Demi counters me. At her defense, I slide a burning look towards her.

"You’ll do well to shut the fuck up when I am talking to my family."

"Ashley, that’s enough." Ashton warns me.

"Whose side are you on? Have you forgotten so soon all she did to us in the last few weeks?"

Ashal comes to pat my shoulder. "Don’t be like this, Ashley. I told you what happened. Demi was also a victim."

"To hell with that!" I rebut him, shoving his hand off my shoulder. "Who got the ball rolling in the first place? She worked with Liam. She’s been plotting our ruination even before she stepped foot into our home. Asher always had a hunch that she was a bad omen for our family and it turned out to be the truth. Every time we’re in a crisis, guess which stranger is always in the picture: DEMI! Look at the state our sister is in. We literally just found her and this woman was already plotting to take her life."

Ashton ranges himself in front of me when I try to reach for Demi who is fake crying.

"ENOUGH." He growls with a loud warning in his eyes. "If you’re going to point fingers and throw accusations, be sure to get your facts right at least because things aren’t always what they seem. She didn’t mean to push Skylar. It’s clear from the security footage. It was purely accidental." He turns to Asher and Ashal to repeat the last sentence like he wants to ram into everyone’s skull that Demi isn’t guilty.

My attention is drawn to Demi and back on Ashton. What the hell is he doing taking her side after everything she’s done? How gullible can he get just because of her?

"You’re advocating for her now? A week ago, you didn’t even want to hear her name uttered around you and now you’re defending her?" Eyes ablaze with disappointment and rage, I turn to Demi. "You finally sunk your fangs into him, didn’t you? You’ve always had a manipulative streak."

"Enough, Ashley." Asher cautions me to my disbelief. "This is a hospital, remember? We can hash this out some other time but right now, our baby sister needs us. I’m going to see her. You guys should come too."

He turns and retreats to go check on our sister. Ashal joins him. I wait for Ashton to leave but he continues to stand like a barricade between me and my ex-wife.

"Move. I’d like to speak with her first."

He doesn’t budge. My stomach sinks. This is no ordinary support by a gentleman for an ostensibly helpless woman; this is protection fueled by something deeper than a sense of chivalry.

I rein in my misplaced sense of jealousy and betrayal, dismissing the possibility that both of them could hook up so soon after my divorce was finalized. If that was the case, Ashton would definitely have told me. Hence, I decide not to read unnecessary meanings until he does.

"Move, Ashton. What do you think I’m going to do to her in a public place like this? I just have a few things to say."

"Hey" Ashal calls out to us from the far end of the hall, next to Skylar’s room. "She’s regained consciousness. Get in here."

Ashton immediately moves like a blur, and Demi follows closely. I watch them suspiciously. Their hands don’t touch but I strongly feel they’re itching to. There’s a reasonable distance between them yet the wheels of my mind continue to turn, painting pictures of them in my head that I am not ready to see.

I dismiss the unpleasant imagination. Yes, Demi and I are divorced for almost two months now. Yes, she’s free to do whatever she wants with her life, including going after the Rollins brother she always loved.

However, with everything she’s done to my family, I don’t think Ashton still looks at her the same. I bet he was just being his normal self and standing up for her because he already confirmed her innocence from the security footage. That has to be all there is to it.

Inside, Skylar is making a fuss as Asher plops the pillow behind her head. It’s clear she’s very uncomfortable being surrounded and nursed by the very people she had tried to hurt. Though her eyes look tired, it also manages to convey pain and anger over her plight. I take one look at her and wonder if she’s a spitting image of our biological mother.

"I don’t want it." She mutters through gritted teeth, knocking down the water Ashal tries to give her. "Stay away from me, ALL OF YOU." Tears glisten in her eyes. "I don’t want your charity!"

"Unfazed, Ashal thanks the nurse who hastens to clean the mess. He sits at the corner of her bed and smiles when Skylar withdraws her hand before he can hold it.

"You’re not a charity case, Sky. You’re my baby sister."

"DON’T.CALL.ME. THAT." She narks, baring her teeth at him. The rest of us get an icy glare.

He goes for her hand in a flash but she wrenches it free and calls for the nurse to have her room cleared. Asher

you

"What?"

I step up. "Where does it hurt, Sweet Pea? Tell big bro number three so I can find a way to make it better. Do you need anything? Is this room

best VVIP rooms in here." Ashton adds, pulling Skylar’s right big toe to her horror. "Of course,

of

that’s not what’s

breath, crying so much. Shit. Did

Ashal exchanges worried glances with the rest of us as Skylar continues to bawl her eyes out like a

playful to ease the tension you must be feeling. They are

the sound of Demi’s voice, then

believe that? I had one of you abducted and beaten up. I threatened to expose your family for the injustices you’re guilty off. I brayed for your blood essentially and you expect me to believe you don’t

nickname he keeps using. "You’re our baby sister, and God knows we always wanted one. I don’t hate you for almost making me miss my birthday. What are little

understanding as we navigate this phase of getting to know each other. We just ask that you be willing to give us a chance like we are willing to

eyes has slowly faded to something akin to remorse. When I take her hand, she

give us a chance to make up for lost time, to love and cherish you four times

that tries to fall

in for a hug, her head in range with his stomach. Though her arms are hesitant at first, they

Asher rocks her while

take turns hugging it out until it’s

leave? I don’t want her

"What’s wrong?" Ashal asks.

her head. "I feel she’s two-faced and very skilled at getting people to believe what she

softly. "What are you

of the blame and to play the victim when things don’t go the way you want. I know I am no saint but at least I don’t pretend to be an angel. If you’re still holding a grudge against people, don’t lull them into a false sense of hope that all is forgiven." She turns to Asher. "I saw it in her eyes. She truly meant to hurt me and I suspect she hoped it would hurt you all too. She’s not so nice when she’s alone with me. She said she would have preferred you tied me up on a chair, had me blindfolded and gagged rather than keeping me in a

eyes burn as I turn

"You said that?"

meant it..." Her voice falters. "Skylar, you know I didn’t

footage.

mean it in a

in disbelief. "Are you just going to turn a blind eye to all the signs around you, Ashton? Why do you have to

not pretending, not anymore. I swear, I have no ill intent towards your sister or any other member of your family. I regret my actions and I’ve moved on from my mistakes." She turns her misty eyes to Skylar. "I’m sorry I hit you. I was triggered by the hurtful things you said but I didn’t push you, Skylar. I would never do such a malevolent thing. I never meant

replies flatly. "I don’t know much about you, Demi. I am only speaking based on the version of you that I

"Skylar, I..."

you should give us some privacy, Demi." Asher interrupts her. "Can you wait outside,

it, Ashton’s subtle glance at Demi that though brief, communicated volumes. Invigorated by the quiet assurance

like me with my past actions against you but I dislike her and I couldn’t pretend not to." Skylar

She’s a kind person once you get to know her as well as we do." While Ashal helps Skylar to lay down, her eyes remains trained on Ashton who keeps stealing glances at the door. I bet she’s wondering the

Ashton hums before walking out

mad at me, isn’t he? He believes her over me. That is to be expected. I’m

pats her head. "Don’t pout. He’s just had a long day. We all have.

Could Ashton really be hooking up with my ex-wife in spite of everything going on? Frankly, I am not pissed because of how hollow I feel. I have always known it could happen but right

no one waiting outside. That’s the first sign that spikes my suspicious nerves. Where the heck are they? I want to believe Ashton asked Demi to leave or that she had the dignity to leave on her own steam. I sincerely hope

corner, I crane my neck, searching for any sign of them. Did they already leave? Ashton wouldn’t disappear on us without so

206: Grace: Braindead

the knock comes, I don’t think twice before opening the

you should never open a door without checking who it is, even when

it isn’t who you think it

is dulled with dust. Or sweat. Or... both? It hangs limply around a face both familiar and not, with heavy shadows beneath his eyes and a grim twist to his lips. His confident, glowing, heroic aura is gone like it never existed,

dark alley somewhere with needle marks on his

clear and beautiful, but reddened around the edges and burning with something I’ve never seen before. If I had to guess, he’s... angry? But

name like I’m a lost

out of pure instinct, eager to gain two inches of space. Unfortunately, Rafe seems to take it as an

after all, I’m the dumbass who

Fuck.

clamps around my forearm. "Why didn’t you follow the

that?" Jer’s voice cuts through our dramatic and unlucky reunion, and Rafe

something wrong?" Ron’s deeper tone follows, steady but wary, and out of the corner of my eye I can see him motioning for Sara to watch over Bun. He’s clearly

brief moment of shock breaks and I twist my arm free,

He doesn’t budge.

"Get out."

raising my voice here will only make me out to be weaker. All I have to do is wait. Caine is

to make sure he doesn’t

the Rafe I fell in love with. This

Each word is harsh, ragged. "We had a plan, Grace. You were supposed to

escape, but I swallow it down. "Why are you here? Andrew should have explained everything by now." Keeping my voice level without any extra inflection is harder than I thought it would

from disgust from touching him and with the urge to slap his stupid face. But I refuse to lower my arms, knowing if I do this man will probably consider it an invitation to waltz into my

up to hold just above my elbows as his eyes travel over my face with frantic little movements. His upper lip curls into a snarl, a faint rumbling coming from his chest. Then, like flipping a switch, he tries to smooth it away. His

It’s gross.

did I ever think Rafe

seeing Jack-Eye as often as I have—he’s severely

says, voice dripping with false compassion. "You seduced him to get back at me. I get it,

My head jerks back.

fuck did we

why would