37

JUSTIN

I saw red.

Everything that happened next was almost instantaneous and seemed to drag out at the same time.

A roar I couldn't believe came from me ripped through my throat as I charged at Alden. I caught him unawares and when he turned to look at who had interrupted him, I held him by his shirt, making him let go of the rope before slamming him against the wall.

I heard Astrid fall to the floor and I yelled over my shoulder to Jonah, without loosening my grip on Alden. “Check on Astrid.”

Vaguely aware of Jonah answering to my request, I pulled Alden to the floor before sitting on him and punching the hell out of him. Every punch was fueled by anger and hurt. The fact that my best friend could do something like this to me made me even more angry than I ever have been.

“How could you do this to me?” I yelled at him as I punched him. It made me even more angry that he wasn't looking remorseful. He looked to the side and smiled.

He kept smiling until I looked in the direction he