Chapter 5 She Peed on Me

Arabella's POV

The pack’s herb room was exactly as I remembered. The familiar scent of healing plants filled my nose, bringing back memories from before Wesley.

For the past two years, after every beating from Wesley, I'd have to find herbs to treat my wounds myself. He never allowed me to seek outside help—'No one sees those bruises'—he'd say, afraid his violence would be exposed.

I kept my head down the entire time, terrified of being recognized. Fear clung to me like a second skin. What if someone spots me? What if they notice the bruises, ask about my mate, about my life?

Working quickly, I gathered what I needed—herbs for healing wounds, antiseptic, pain relief ointment, and some calming herbs safe for infants.

When I approached the counter to pay, the woman scanned my items with barely a glance at my face.

"That'll be $86.50," she said in a bored tone.

I handed over my credit card, the only financial resource I had left. My heart stopped when she frowned at the register.

"Card's been declined," she said coldly. "Got another payment method?"

The room seemed to spin around me as the implications hit. Damn Wesley! He's cut off my last financial resource too.

"Damn..." I bit my lip. "Never mind. I'll come back another time."

"I'll pay. Put it on my account."

I spun around to find Alexander standing there, awkwardly holding a crying Alice. The front of his expensive shirt was soaked through with a large wet spot.

"What are you doing here? I told you to wait in the car," I asked, surprised.

The woman behind the counter looked up at his voice, her eyes widening. "Alpha Alexander?" Her tone shifted from bored to respectful in an instant.

Alexander looked awkward, holding Alice at arm's length like she might explode again. "She peed on me. I had no idea what to do."

The woman behind the counter looked curiously at our strange trio, her eyes darting between Alexander's wet shirt and the baby in my arms, clearly piecing together the story.

"Alpha Alexander, would you like me to get some baby supplies as well?" Her attitude changed dramatically from her previous indifference.

Alexander nodded. "Yes, diapers. And those... cleaning things." He clearly had no idea what baby products were called.

The woman quickly gathered what we needed and processed the purchase. I took Alice from Alexander's arms, feeling her warm little body against mine.

"I'll go change her diaper. Won't be long," I said softly.

"I'll wait here," he replied.

Alexander is waiting? He was never known for his patience. Especially after being peed on by a baby. This wasn't like the angry, domineering asshole I remembered. What happened in these two years to change him so much?

In the bathroom, I laid Alice down on the changing table and started the process, which proved more difficult than it looked. She kicked her legs, giggling and squirming away from my hands like a little mud fish.

"Hey, Alice, be still and let mommy change your diaper, okay?" I coaxed, but Alice just giggled harder.

I had to hold down her legs with one hand while securing the new diaper with the other. After I finished, I kissed her little toes, making her giggle again.

I picked up Alice, who now had her fingers in her mouth and was smiling contentedly, the picture of innocence after all her mischief.

Opening the bathroom door, I was surprised to find Alexander actually waiting as he'd said, leaning against the wall checking his phone. He quickly put it away when he saw us.

"She okay now?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, just hungry and wet."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Just that? That scream nearly burst my eardrums."

I couldn't help but smile a little. "She does have powerful lungs. And changing her diaper is like wrestling a bear cub. She's stronger than she looks."

Alexander looked at Alice's now-quiet form. "Hard to believe this tiny thing made that much noise."

Alice suddenly reached out toward Alexander, giggling, completely angelic now.

"Don't be fooled," I said, shaking my head. "She has two faces."

Alexander chuckled. "She got that from you."

I rolled my eyes at him.

Back in Alexander's SUV, he placed our purchases in the trunk, and we drove toward his home in silence. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, occasionally glancing back at Alice sleeping in her car seat, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.

"You look like you're ready to jump out of a moving vehicle," Alexander said, breaking the silence.

His directness startled me, but I wouldn't admit my uneasiness. "I'm just... cautious," I replied, holding Alice closer, my knuckles white.

"You know I won't hurt either of you." It wasn't a question but a statement.

"I don't know anything for certain anymore."

"Did you reach Asher?" he asked.

"I left him a message." My voice was low, clearly worried about my brother's reaction.

"If he contacts you, tell him you and Alice are with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

As we drove toward the center of the territory, I could see Alexander's home—a large stone mansion at the heart of the Blood Moon Pack land.

When we pulled up at the entrance, two muscular guards stood at attention, nodding respectfully to Alexander. Their suspicious eyes lingered on me and Alice, but they asked no questions.

"Alpha has returned," one guard announced as they opened the gate.

"Drive around back," Alexander ordered.

Three servants waited at the door. Obviously, they'd been notified of our arrival.

"Take everything inside and prepare the guest room," Alexander told them.

"Yes, Alpha," one replied, immediately moving to unload our things from the trunk.

I stood by the car with Alice in my arms, feeling strangely safer. Wesley wouldn't get anywhere near Alice or me.

Even if it meant depending on a former enemy.

"Thank you... for letting us stay," I said quietly.

Alexander nodded. "Don't mention it. Stay as long as you need."

Stepping into Alexander's home, I looked around in surprise. It was nothing like I'd imagined—spacious and elegant, completely at odds with his asshole personality.

I noticed several servants quickly stepping aside, silently leaving the room after a gesture from Alexander, giving us privacy.

Then, I discovered a portable crib in the living room. Though not perfectly assembled, it had clearly been prepared recently.

I began treating my injuries with the ointment, thinking about what to do next. Alice was quiet in my arms, curiously looking at her new surroundings, her little hands reaching for everything around her.

"Is this for Alice?" I asked, looking at the portable crib.

Alexander looked slightly uncomfortable. "Just had it delivered, in case you needed to stay a few days."

"You assembled it yourself?" I asked curiously.

"Clearly not my talent," he admitted.

I examined the crib. "It looks a bit wobbly."

"I promise it's sturdier than it looks. I tested it," he said.

"You lay in a baby crib?" I asked, shocked.

Alexander showed rare humor. "Just testing." He made an exaggerated pose. "I only had one chance to get it right, right?"

I laughed, surprised to see the powerful Alpha personally assembling a baby crib. The contrast was startling—Wesley had never even looked at Alice, yet here was Alexander, someone I'd considered an enemy, making this effort for my daughter.

"Thank you," I said softly, unexpected gratitude washing over me.

Alexander went upstairs to change his pee-soaked clothes. “I’ll go change my clothes, and I need to talk to you.”