Chapter 111 - Scared

Caleb spent almost all his time down at the dungeons for a couple of days. He wanted to keep Ashton company for as long as he was in rut. Never did it ever feel like Ashton broke through his wolf form, or for that matter realised what was happening. But he did notice that the wolf was calmer when Caleb was here. It would spend hours just staring at him. Sometimes, the lack of blinking gave him a false impression that he was dead.

He still couldn't figure out why Ashton wanted him to stay away, now more than ever. Given his wolf's response to him, it seemed like having him around was the best choice. In fact it was as if it would only listen to Caleb at this situation. Yet he wanted to abide by Ashton's wishes. If he wasn't sure of having him around, then maybe it's better not to push him.

It was his fifth day and yet things seemed the same. He left the dungeon for meals and came back right here. In fact, despite the most comfortable bed in his room, he slept in this messy dungeon. He was genuinely surprised his brother didn't come to check up on him by now.

It was one of those days when he drifted off to sleep, except it was the middle of the day and not night. He felt better than most of his days and probably that's why sleep drowned him easy. Waking up he found Ashton, in his human form, sitting all by himself while he stared at the floor with an empty gaze.

"Ashton, you are awake"! Caleb jumped with delight. That grabbed his attention as he stared at Caleb with poignant eyes. "How do you feel? I mean, I know how you feel, but at the same time I don't. Does it hurt anywhere? Do you want something to eat? Can you even understand what I am saying?..."  Caleb went on with his ranting as Ashton simply shook his head slightly.

"I am fine Caleb, do not worry". Ashton spoke up interrupting his rant. "Why are you here"? He asked in a displeased manner, which kind of bothered Caleb.

"What do you mean 'why am I here'? My mate is in rut, where else should I be"? Caleb snapped at him. "Why the hell do you not me around you? Your wolf doesn't seem to mind"! 

Ashton spoke, "That's what I am afraid of" Ashton mumbled.

"What the hell are you talking about"? Caleb frowned.

"My wolf, Caleb. You don't know what it's capable of. Heck I don't know what it's capable of. Do you know I almost wiped out an entire forest without even realising"! Ashton raised his voice but it started to tremble at the end.

"Ashton, we have been over this. I am pretty tough, you don't have to worry about hurting me"! Caleb sighed with frustration.

"You don't get it. It's not just about whether you will be hurt or not. It's because I don't want to be the one who tries to do something horrible". Ashton sighed heavily. "Like I said, I don't know what my wolf is capable of, and I am not ready to find out yet". He whispered.

That's when Caleb realised, Ashton wasn't scared for Caleb, he was scared of himself. Not having control over yourself can be scary, especially when you don't know how or when that side of your will emerge. When someone is scared of something the go to reaction is run away from it. But how do you run away from yourself? 

Caleb wanted to embrace Ashton at this very moment, but the wolfsbane soaked bars were what kept them apart. He linked his brother for the keys before he brought back his attention to Ashton. "Look, I am sorry for pushing you hard. I just want to be there for you".

"I know". Ashton whispered.

"And if what you need is me keeping my distance from you in each and every rut of yours, then I will bear with it" Caleb declared.

Ashton snorted, "Aren't you tough". Caleb rolled his eyes at the remark. "I will figure out a better way to deal with the situation. I promise. It's not fair for me to ask you to suffer because I am a coward".

"You are not a coward, you are just careful. And there is nothing wrong with being a little bit careful".  Caleb assured him. "We are mates, Ashton. We are in this together. I would rather suffer along with you than see you suffer all by yourself". Caleb declared. Ashton, who was out of words remained quiet as he looked away. "You know what, let's get you out of here" Caleb suggested, trying to change the subject.

"How? I am locked in here". Ashton pointed at the lock on the door.

"My brother will be here soon with the key, don't worry". Caleb assured him. "Also, belated Happy Birthday, I guess". Caleb chuckled awkwardly. 

"You remembered"? Ashton was surprised. 

Caleb gave him an unamused expression before saying, "What am I? Your next door neighbor? Even they don't forget your birthdays" Caleb scoffed. 

"Yeah well, Rut during my birthday, that's new". Ashton scoffed. "Kind of breaks my record".

"What do you mean"? Caleb asked him carefully. 

"Well, my rut is biannual. Usually it takes place either around May or November". He shrugged. "But this time, it's here by so early, it hasn't been 6 months yet, and look at me". He sighed. 

"I wonder if… you know… we triggered it". Caleb mumbles referring to the heated session they had a day before. 

Ashton's eyes widened before he cleared his throat, "Or…" he paused. "Maybe it's because I am officially an adult now" Ashton shrugged. 

"Could be" Caleb nodded in agreement. "Nevertheless, I hope it's the latter. I don't want you to go rogue every time we sleep together". Caleb snorted. Ashton's eyes widened at that and he looked away shyly. 

"Word of advice, when you have asked you brother to come, maybe refrain from talking about sex". His brother, who apparently heard him, remarked as he made his way to the dungeon. If Ashton was shy before, he was profusely embarrassed. His brother gave him a suggestive glare before opening the cell for him.

"Why"?  Caleb questioned with a smirk. "Jealous of me for having a mate"? He teased his brother. Christian sighed with frustration before he gave Caleb a deathly stare, shutting him up. It seemed as if his brother had something very important to take care off, and that he wasn't in the mood for a joke. Caleb pondered if that was the reason Caleb saw less of him lately.

"Are you okay"? Caleb couldn't help but ask.

"Mn", Christian mumbled. "I have to be somewhere else, so I don't have much time" He turned around to leave before he hauled midway. "By the way, I replaced your wolfsbane stock. Tend to his wounds if needed". He motioned his head towards Ashton, put the bag containing syringes, cotton and antidote in Caleb's hand before he left.

Caleb brought his focus back to his mate once he was out of the cell. Caleb pulled his hands and examined his arms closely looking for any wounds. Having been affected by wolfsbane, most of them were still struggling to heal. "Come with me", He took him outside the dungeon and treated his wounds properly. 

He made him sit at the bench in their garden, letting Ashton enjoy the breath of fresh air while cautiously he applied some ointments over his wounds. He also prepared a syringe of antidote to give him. He wasn't entirely sure if that was necessary or not, but it was better to give him just to be on the safe side.

Ashton winced a few times, before he bit his lip as he tried to be tough. For someone as tough as him, needles were not something he was fond of. "There you go" Caleb smiled as the healing began evidedent. The bruises faded away and tiny scratches disappeared in a blink of an eye. "Thanks". Ashton gave him a faint smile.

He got up from his seat and kissed Caleb deeply, expressing his gratitude and affection for his mate. He kissed him passionately for a while, which Caleb responded to pretty enthusiastically. It's been a while since Caleb got even a single touch from him and thus finally having him close brought him a sense of peace. The mate bond is indeed very strange and wonderful in it's own way.

Abruptly, Caleb pulled away, making Ashton frown at him, "Everything okay"?

Caleb seemed as if he was immersed in some kind of deep thought, before he shook his head. "I think my heat is here". Ashton's eyes widened and he tried to retract himself away from Caleb but suddenly Caleb's hold tightened on his arm. "Don't you dare run away from me. I comply with your wishes during your rut, and you comply with mine during my heat". Caleb glared.

"Alright then, what do you want"? Ashton asked with a chuckle.

Reaching his mate's ear, Caleb whispered, "I want you".