In Another Life

Chapter 6

Y/N's POV

The leather belt bites into the back of my hand as my horse slowly makes her way onto base. I had wrapped a belt around my hand and the horn of my saddle. I was afraid that if I didn't, I'd fall off, and my horse would wander home without me, leaving me alone in a field somewhere.

When I finally managed to come to and pull myself from the mud, the tavern seemed to have already been closed. My horse was the only one that remained. I was bleeding from more than one place. Just sitting up on this saddle was painfully agonizing. But I need to get back to base. My horse manages to make her way into the barn as I bring my other hand up to free the tied-up one. I slowly bring a leg up over the saddle before I slide down the other side.

A sob escapes from between my lips as my boots reach the ground. I look down at myself. My clothes are streaked with mud, bite marks scattered among my breasts. I hadn't managed to see my face quite yet; I wasn't sure I wanted to.

I cross the stable, grabbing a bucket of hay as I set it in front of my horse. I pat her side, speaking in a low tone. "Thank you, I'm sorry I can't remove your saddle right now, but someone will come in the morning and do it. I promise." I give her another pat before I limp out of the stalls and into the base. I tug my jacket closed as I wander through the halls quietly. It had to be near daybreak, I'm sure.

It takes me longer than it should to walk up the stairs, but when I do, I have to bring my hand up to muffle the sob that slipped from my lips. A loud, pain-filled cry. And not even a door away from Levi's office.

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Levi's POV

Swinging my door open, I'm half prepared to send my boot up someone's ass. What? Did they think this was a game? We give you the day off, and you use it to annoy the shit out of us all night. These shits had been at it all night, in and out, in and out. If you were sneaking off base, you'd think you'd at least try to be quiet.

"Someone best be-" I stop dead in my tracks as my eyes lock on Y/N. She is covered in mud, blood splattered on her face. My eyes widen before my jaw sets. Her eyes finally meet mine, the both of us staring at one another in silence before as I move to close the distance between us. I stop a foot away as she brings her hands up, flinching away from me. "Sorry-Sorry Captain. I didn't mean to wake-"

"Y/N, look at me." I steady myself; worry fills every inch of me as my brows tense. She shakes her head, refusing to look up. "Captain-" I caught her chin between my thumb and index finger, forcing her face up for me to see. Blood, I was right. "Are you okay? What happened-" She brings her hand up to pull my hand away, but I hold tight.

"I'm fine. A brawl at a local tavern." My jaw sets, nostrils flaring as I look her over. Her lips were swollen, a split on the bottom left. She must have gotten hit in the face a few times because her cheek was already beginning to bruise. Her clothes were beaten to shit, ripped and stained in mud. It was a tavern fight, yet it managed to make its way outside?

"My apologies, Captain, I am aware that I broke a rule and that I will be punished in the morning for it." My tongue runs over the back of my teeth as my eyes narrow further at her.

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Y/N's POV

I tug my chin free from his hold, yet knowing it's only because he allows it. I didn't want to talk right now. I feared if I lingered any longer, he'd pull my collar to the side or see the bite marks that scattered my chest. I needed to get out of here. I walk around him, trying to hide the pain I was in as I force myself to walk right.

"Y/N." I stop, lips forming into a hard line as I nod my head, looking over my shoulder. "Tonight...I should have never. You are my subordinate. I was wrong for crossing that line with you. As a man, I have desires, but as your Captain, my actions were inexcusable."

I bite down on the inside of my cheek, choking down the sob. I nod once more before I turn my back on him and speak over my shoulder. "It's fine. I am just happy you could find some use in me." I round the corner, falling into my room as I close the door behind me.

After washing in the shower rooms and patching myself up the best I could, as I take in my reflection in the mirror. Bite marks and bruises scattered my torso, arms, and ankles. I close my eyes, pulling on an oversized shirt before I crawl into bed.