AMELIA’S P.O.V

I 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 shower and trimmed his facial hair. He was in clean clothes and he looked good. He looked like he had a good night’s rest in contrast to me that had huge bags under my eyes. He gave me a small smile and ruffled my hair.

“Darla will be pleased to know that you’re home. She really likes you.”

“I really like her too,” I managed out as I tried to blink back tears.

I wasn’t sure why I felt so emotional. He wasn’t a friend of mine and I had barely known him for a week but he brought me home, he took a chance on me and that was enough to endear him to me. He didn’t have to bring me all this way, he didn’t have to stay with me and yet, he did. He did more than was expected of him when I was no one to him.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I brushed away a stray tear. “Get back safe. Blake and his men might be on the lookout for you.”

“I’m always safe, Amelia.”

Kaden took a step forward and handed Jackson a piece of paper. “Call us when you get home safely. You don’t want to take guards with you so it is the least we can do.”

“I don’t need guards, I’ve done well enough on my own until now. Just take care of her, she’s a strong one.”

Kaden smiled. “I know that.”

They shared a curt nod of respect before Jackson headed into the car. The guards were going to drive him half the way and he was going to run the other half. It was the way he had requested it and the least we could do after everything was to give him exactly what he had asked for.

I waved at him until the car disappeared down the road and it was at that moment that it completely dawned on me that I was home. I wasn’t with Blake anymore, I wasn’t in the woods, I was in my pack, with my family and my friends. Before I left, I was doing so much and now, I couldn’t even bring myself to do anything.

“I want to go home now,” I told Kaden trying not to let my own disappointment choke me.

I was a Vibrius wolf, I had an entire lineage that I was trying to figure out and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to pick up where I stopped, at least not now.

“Amelia!” I heard someone scream and I turned to find Serena rushing up to me.

She was in a loose fitting shirt and sweatpants, it was clear she had just run out of bed or something. Behind her, I heard her parents yell at her to stop, her daughter standing with them but she ignored me as she ran over. Kaden started to speak, ordering the guards to stop her but I held up a hand to stop him.

Serena was one of my best friends, I couldn’t treat her like she was no one. She rushed over to me pulling me into her arms as she did and it took me a second but I slowly reciprocated. I didn’t know how much I missed her until now.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you were back?” she asked as she squeezed me tightly. I felt something wet drop on my shoulders and I knew she was crying. “I was so worried about you. No one would tell me what happened.”

“I’m sorry,” I managed out not knowing what else to say. “I am so sorry. I didn’t man to hide from you, I just-”

I couldn’t speak, couldn’t admit to anyone but Kaden what had truly happened in that place. I wasn’t sure how much Kaden had told the pack about my disappearance either.

She pulled back, smoothing my cheeks and hair with her hands. “Are you alright though?”

I shrugged. “I will be, I guess.”

She sniffled and wiped at the stray tears that had dripped down my cheeks. “I don’t know what happened but I know that you don’t want to tell me and that’s okay. Whenever you’re ready, I’m going to be here waiting for you.”

“Thank you.”

“No, you don’t ever have to thank me. You’re the best friend a girl could ask for Amelia and I’m going to be here for you. I’m right here for you whenever you’re ready, just don’t be a stranger, okay?”

I smiled. “Okay, I promise.”

She smiled and took a step back. “Iris wanted to say hi but she’s shy.”

I looked over her at her daughter and waved. The little girl flushed pink and hid behind her grandmother before waving at me slowly. I couldn’t stop the small smile that pulled at my cheeks. She was an adorable child and looking at her made the prospect of having a child see a lot better.

I realized in that moment that Serena didn’t know about the child- no one did. I wanted nothing more than to tell her but I couldn’t, not right now and not right here.

“I’ll see you around,” I promised her. “In a few days, once I’m better. I’m not perfect right now.”

“Oh, Amelia, you’re always perfect, you just need a little rest right now to see that.”