AMELIA’S P.O.VI heard his words but it was almost like they had floated off my hearing. I should have felt it, I should have known. If he was hurt, my wolf would have felt it in some way. She had been more quiet than usual but I hadn’t seen it as any big deal, she didn’t like Blake much and mostly faded into the background when he was present.“You’re not excited,” Blake noted and I blinked up at him. “You should be happy. The more we keep him away, the easier it will be for us to come out together. You should be excited.”“I’m just shocked,” I managed out. “I thought I would have at least felt it because of the mark. I still have it.”His eyes darkened at the mention of the mark. He liked to pretend that it didn’t exist but nothing was going to change the fact that I was Kaden’s mate, at least not while I was alive. Blake didn’t say anything about my observation, he just looked away and that was when it hit me- he knew I wouldn’t feel it- but how?He wouldn’t meet my eye and I scram
KADEN’S P.O.VMy entire side was throbbing with pain and I found that I couldn’t move my left arm so easily. I tried but it felt like it was being weighed down by a million tons. The smell alone led me to know that I was in a hospital and I wasn’t so out of it that I didn’t remember what happened that led me here. I was attacked by rogues.I managed to pull my eyes open only to find Caleb by my bedside. He wasn’t looking at me, his attention was fixed on some papers beside me but it was obvious that he hadn’t slept. I cleared my throat and his eyes lifted. There was shock in them, but that shock quickly gave way to annoyance.“I told you that it was a fucking stupid idea,” he snapped. “What were you thinking? You could have gotten killed.”“I didn’t get hurt in Blake’s pack. This had nothing to do with my plan. Besides, I found something that can help me find Amelia.”That only seemed to piss him off even more. “Finding her will be useless if you are dead!” he screamed. “For fucks sak
AMELIA’S P.O.VIt had been a week since my little outburst and Blake had been walking on eggshells around me. He did everything I wanted but stayed away from me to give me some space. It would have been cute if it wasn’t so pathetic. He brought me breakfast at the same time every day and ate from my plate each time to assure me that it wasn’t drugged anymore.After the third day, I could feel the presence of my wolf. She wasn’t at her full strength yet but it was clear that she was gaining strength. I hadn’t told Blake yet, I didn’t want his attitude to change. Instead, I lied that my wolf was still dormant and she played along. She only showed up when he wasn’t present to keep up the ruse.“I hate this,” she told me as I sat cross legged on the bed alone. “I want to be out of here. I want to be with Kaden. I can’t feel him.”“I know,” I had given up trying to placate her. She wasn’t in the mood to listen and the truth was that I didn’t blame her. I wanted to be with Kaden as well. “I
KADEN’S P.O.VThe scolding from Caleb was exactly what I needed to get off my ass and start focusing on the right things.The flower I had gotten from Brittany was dead by the time I got back to it but I was able to describe it enough for a simple internet search and luckily, we were able to found it. It did little to help us find Amelia considering the fact that it grew in a large variety of areas but when we added Brittany’s clue about mud, it narrowed it down to three main areas.It wasn’t a lot but it was something. It was closer than we had been in a long time. Now the fact remained- how were we going to find her? I had an idea but Caleb was not the biggest fan of it. He didn’t like a lot of my ideas to be honest but even he knew that it was the only one we had.“Why can’t I stay with you?” he asked. “We can send someone else to-”“You’re the only one I trust,” I cut him off. “There are two other forests to check but this is the closest to Blake’s pack, he should be keeping her h
AMELIA’S P.O.VWhen Blake returned later, it was already nighttime. The moon was high in the sky and I could hear the crickets chirping outside. The only source of light was the tiny lamp on the small coffee table. I ran the plan over again in my mind being careful to make sure there were no holes in it when Blake walked in.The first thing I noticed was the smell of blood. It smelled like him but I could also smell Kaden. I jumped to my feet and rushed over to his side. “What the hell happened?”He didn’t seem injured for the most part, then again, he had been out the whole day. He opened his mouth to speak but cursed when he bumped into the couch. After that, I was quick to turn on the lights and I took him in completely.There was blood on his wrist, blood on his face and on his clothes. It was as if he hadn’t bothered to get cleaned before coming here. Maybe he just wanted to show off his battle scars or maybe he wanted to appear tough in front of me. Whatever it was, I was happy
BLAKE’S P.O.VMy head was pounding in my skull. It almost felt like someone was using my head to do construction work. I tried to open my eyes but couldn’t, merely doing that was too much for me. I had never felt so weak or worn out in my life.I could feel the cold ground under me and I tried to figure out what I was doing on the ground when the memories slammed into me like a freight train. I cursed and rushed to my feet, ignoring the pounding in my skull and the ache in my body.The room looked the same as it did before I passed out but the only difference was Amelia’s stale scent. I cursed under my breath and looked through my pocket for my phone only to find it missing. A growl nearly ripped from my throat. She had played me.I was doing everything for her- for us- and this was how she betrayed me. There must have been something in the wine. She planned this in advance and she fucking left. If I had the energy, I would have ripped the entire room apart but I didn’t have the time
AMELIA’S P.O.VI had no idea where I was going or where I was.Once I got out of the house, I ran west. Growing up, I was always taught to find a river because most often than not, a river led to a town and from a town, I could find my way home. With tears in my eyes, I ran. I just wanted to be free, I didn’t care where I was going and I didn’t even realize how long I had been running.I didn’t know how long Blake was going to be out and I knew I had only a little time before the guards came back so I ran. Thankfully, I still had my sneakers from when I was taken and it was well equipped for running.I ran for hours and until I saw the sun begin to rise. It was only then that I rested a little and slowed down. I knew I must have given enough of a distance between Blake and I so I opened the bag and pulled out a bottle of water. It did little to soothe the burn in my throat but at least it would be enough.I knew I should sleep but I couldn’t find it in myself to do it. My skin was buz
AMELIA’S P.O.VDarla and Jackson led me back to their village settlement. Darla was much nicer and chatty, she told me about herself all the while asking questions about me and I tried my best to answer them without giving her too much.Jackson on the other hand was wary of me- as he should be. He kept a close eye on me and I could see that his hand was permanently curled around his dagger, ready to attack me if need be. It was actually cute how protective he was and I couldn’t help but think about Kaden, he would probably do the same and be just as protective if I brought a random stranger into the pack.“Here we are!” Darla squealed and when I looked up, my mouth dropped open.I had been expecting a few houses or tents not an entire small city. It was bustling with people moving in and out. They didn’t have large stone mansions but their houses were beautiful nonetheless. I didn’t see a single car but I saw children riding bikes. Everyone seemed happy and at ease.They led me to the
CHAPTER 195AMELIA’S P.O.VFor a moment, Kaden just stood there staring at me and I wondered if I had pushed him too far. Perhaps it was never about me being ready, maybe he wasn’t ready to be with me after everything that happened.I felt so incredibly stupid and attempted to turn away from him when he grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. I didn’t want to but we were like magnets, always drawn to each other and I couldn’t stop myself from staring straight into his eyes.“I’m only going to say this once so get this straight,” he began slowly. “I don’t ever want to see that fucking look on your face again. The only reason I said nothing is because I was thinking of how much of a bastard I would be if I fucked you right here instead of taking you up into a room.”I cracked a smile. “I don’t think I can make it upstairs.”“Me neither.”The words were barely out of his mouth before he kissed me again. I felt something akin to relief in the center of my chest. It felt good to be a
AMELIA’S P.O.VIt had been two days since Aiden came to visit and Kaden had not spoken about him. We acted as if it were a fever dream that was locked away in the far parts of our minds.I knew that Aiden wouldn’t give up anytime soon and I knew that one day, I needed to tell Kaden about what had happened but I couldn’t even figure out how to bring it up. It was unsettling and uncomfortable but I didn’t have solid proof that he meant for anything malicious to happen.“You’re thinking hard,” Kaden’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts and I turned to find him standing at the doorway to the kitchenIt was his presence that reminded me of what I was doing and I cursed as I pulled the oven open. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw that my cake hadn’t burnt but if I had left it for a few more minutes, I wouldn’t have been able to say that at all.I rushed to get it out and put it on a cooling rack all the while I could see Kaden trying to hide a smile out of the corner of his eye.I was
AMELIA’S P.O.V“Hi,” I managed out as I made my way over to them and their conversation instantly ceased. I could see that Serena was itching to touch me but they both held back for my sake. “I’m not going to shatter just because you hug me.”That was all Serena needed before she rushed to her feet and threw her arms around my shoulders. She didn’t cry like the last time but I could feel her relief as she held me. I wasn’t sure how long that lasted but as soon as she pulled away, Clara’s arms were around me.“I’m so sorry,” she whispered and I could almost taste the guilt that was radiating off her.“It wasn’t your fault,” I assured her. “We were ambushed, we were sidetracked. Thar had nothing to do with you. I need you to know that.”“You were gone, for so long.”“But I’m back now,” I pulled away and grasped her shoulders. “All that matters is that I’m back now.”She gave me a small nod. I knew it would take more than that to deal with the guilt that she felt but it was a good start
AMELIA’S P.O.VIt was exactly one week since I had been back and I was yet to leave the house.Kaden had been patient with me, not forcing me to go anywhere until I was ready or making me do anything I didn’t want to but even I knew that life had to move on. I couldn’t just sit in here forever and pretend like things were fine and the constant state of boredom was driving me mad.We were having breakfast when I spoke. “I want to go out.”Kaden stopped eating, his eyes finding mine and I could see the worry in them as he slowly ran his eyes over me. He was more protective over me than usual and I didn’t blame him, especially not after what happened. If I wanted to go anywhere, especially now, I knew that there would be crazy rules to come with it.“Where do you want to go?”I shrugged. I hadn’t really thought that far. All I knew was that I didn’t want to be within the four walls of the house anymore. I wanted to talk to my friends, I wanted to be normal, I wanted to see people without
KADEN’S P.O.VWhat Amelia needed whether she realized it or not were her friends.Just those few minutes with Serena had brightened her day more than I thought was possible. It hurt that they could do more for her than I could but I didn’t care as long as it meant that she was fine, that was all that mattered to me.After the interaction with Serena, Amelia declared that she wanted to go home. I didn’t protest, didn’t even make any other suggestions, we just got into the car and drove. She didn’t hide from me when we returned which was a plus in my books, she simply sat on the couch, laying her head on my shoulder in silence.I wasn’t sure how long we stayed there but it could have been ten hours and I wouldn’t have minded. She seemed so peaceful, more than she had since she got back and I loved that for her.“I hate the silence,” she whispered and I turned to her. “When I was there with him, it was always quiet. I couldn’t go anywhere, couldn’t do anything, it was just the two of us
AMELIA’S P.O.VI didn’t want to leave the house the next morning but when Kaden told me that it was to say goodbye to Jackson, I forced myself out.Going to the pack house was terrifying and the entire time, it felt like someone was breathing down my neck and the worst was yet to come. Kaden was a firm pillar by my side the entire time, he never once took his hand out of mine and he never strayed from my side. I knew that I was safe with him but that didn’t mean I still wasn’t a little scared.“You look like shit,” Jackson drawled as soon as he saw me.Kaden stiffened, not liking his tone but waiting to see my reaction. I was silent for a second before a small smile pulled at the corner of my lips. I wrapped my arms around his center clearly catching him off guard.For a moment, he didn’t move and then, ever so slowly, he wrapped his arms around me and squeezed softly.“I would say you look like shit but you actually look better,” I whispered as I pulled back.He had clearly taken a s
AMELIA’S P.O.VI knew I was hurting him by not letting him in but I couldn’t.How could he help when even I didn’t know how to help myself? I was home and that should have been the most important thing but I still found myself terrified. In my nightmare, I was back in Blake’s little hideaway house. I was back with him and my baby was gone.How could I tell Kaden that knowing fully well that he was going to lose his mind and panic? I didn’t want him stressed- didn’t need him stressed right now. One of us needed a clear head and it was obvious that person wasn’t going to be me.“Amelia, baby, please look at me,” Kaden’s voice was soft and coaxing as he wiped my tears off my cheeks. “Please.”I wasn’t sure if it was the please or the sound of pure defeat in his voice that had me slowly opening my eyes. He gave me a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes and I couldn’t help it, I leaned up to kiss him. It wasn’t a deep kiss of unbridled passion, it was soft, almost explorative, just
KADEN’S P.O.VI couldn’t bring myself to fall asleep.Amelia claimed to be fine but I knew her better than I knew myself. I knew every bit of her, every smile, every freckle, every curve of her skin, I knew her emotions better than I knew my own sometimes and I knew for a fact that despite her saying otherwise, she was far from fine.I could see it in the way she hardly ever met my eyes, in the hesitation in her voice and in her determination to avoid speaking about whatever she might have faced in that place. I knew the guilt that she felt, sometimes when she let her wall down by accident, I could feel it like a bitter poison at the back of my throat threatening to choke me.It didn’t matter how many times I told her that I was fine with what happened, she couldn’t forgive herself and if she couldn’t, there was no way she was going to move past it. I wasn’t a fan of the idea of her being with Blake sexually but she did what she had to in order to survive and as much as I hated it, I
AMELIA’S P.O.VI was discharged before the end of the day.Kaden clearly didn’t agree with my choice but I doubted he could bring himself to refuse me. I knew I was being a little irrational and illogical but I couldn’t bear to be anywhere else. I wanted to be surrounded by people I knew and by my home, I wanted to be surrounded by him.He carried me into the car despite knowing I could walk and for once, I didn’t protest. Clara and Caleb were nowhere to be seen by the time we were leaving, I presumed they were giving us our space and for that, I was grateful. I loved my friends but today was not that day.As we drove past the turn to the house, I turned to Kaden. “Where are we going?”“Our home.”“But it’s that way,” I pointed towards the turn that we had missed. “Kaden, where are you taking me?”“That was my house, I’m taking you to ours.”I didn’t realize what he was talking about until he pulled up in front of a familiar building. The last time I saw it, he was still trying to per