The Alpha's Rejected Silent Mate

Chapter 28

Damien POV

I spend the whole night tossing and turning and checking on Winter who’s fast asleep in her bed. I’m terrified to leave her alone too long and in the end I end up sleeping in the hallway on a mattress in case she needs help for

something, anything during the night. When it’s bright, my eyes open and I groan as I sit up, my muscles stiff and

protesting. She hadn’t called out last night and when I poke my head in she’s still out for the count.

I get dressed for school, tossing on a shirt and any old jeans, glance at the time and make my way into Winter’s

room. I gently shake her awake. I don’t want to startle her. Her eyelids flutter at me and then her eyes widen when she sees me, her mouth making a shocked O. I wonder if she’s scared of me still, because she still trembles everytime I touch her or I’m near her.

“It’s time to get ready for school” I say lightly and glance down at her foot. Is it healed yet?

She pats the bandage. “You want it off?” I ask and she nods. I softly take hold of the end of the bandage and

unwrap it, watching Winter’s face the entire time. I can barely believe my eyes once it’s off and I can see her skin, perfect, except for a tiny scar that the bullet presumably left. Theres a wide smile on Winter’s face as she stands up

and takes a few steps.

She whirls around and hugs me, my breath catching in my throat as I hold her tight, not wanting to let go and I step back, looking into her eyes. “School” I say firmly and she nods, pointing to the bathroom where I assume she wants to take a shower first. I give a nod. “I’ll make breakfast” | offer and she nods again, before going into the bathroom and firmly shutting the door close on me. I figure since she’s walking fine now that she won’t get into any

head downstairs to

enough to make toast and coffee for her and by the

somewhat downcast. I get her

“What’s wrong Winter?”

hair and I have a look, realizing that it’s still matted with dried blood.

her. “Do you want me to help you wash

miserable. “How about you try again tonight?” I urge “I’m sure it will come out

some elbow grease.”

her take a tentative nip and then push it away, opting

toast too much? I didn’t think it was

probably still

to her school bag. She grabs it without a word and walks

passenger seat of the car and I drive, keeping an eye on her the whole time, noting that her body is

car door and looking panicked as

I say sharply “calm down. The principal knows your situation

already called the school. If this is too much for you I can drive you home” I

slightly.

door and climb out, hoping she won’t lock herself in the

her hand, ignoring the strange looks from everybody

order her and she slowly, timidly leads the way as I stand right next to the door along with her. She’s biting her lip and

while I scowl at him. The nerve of this guy. “I forgot to mention that Thomas’s parents know the full story of what went on