AMELIA’S P.O.V

It 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 feeling like Blake was coming back to grab me when I let my guard down.


“Just tell me where you want to go and I’ll make it happen,” he whispered, his voice a lot softer now, almost as if he was coaxing me. “You could go to Clara’s house or the pack house. If you want somewhere more quiet, I could take you to the library.”

At the mention of the pack house and library, I couldn’t help but remember what I was doing when I had been taken. “How is Aaron?”

If he was surprised by the sudden change in subject, he didn’t make it known. “Do you want to see him?”

I shook my head. “I just want to know if he is alive.”

“Yes, he is. He even tried to help us find you, he thought he could locate your powers but he couldn’t.”

“He wouldn’t have because of the potion that Blake kept giving to me. It dulled my wolf and my powers,” I thought about it for a second before scoffing. “I suppose a part of me is grateful because Aaron said that my powers would attract the wrong person. I would have hated to be taken again while I was there.”

Kaden frowned, obviously not happy with something about my choice of words but I knew he was trying not to push me, and trying to keep everything normal for my sake. It was endearing but it was also slightly annoying.

“I’m not going to break, you know,” I whispered. “You keep telling me that nothing is broken and that I am fine but you treat me like fragile china that will explode if touched wrong.”

“I didn’t mean to-”

“I know that,” I cut him off. “I know you’re reeling from me being taken and I’m pregnant now but I just want you to treat me like you would any other day. I want you to treat me like I’m still yours.”

“You never stopped being mine, Amelia.”

“Then act like it,” I threw my hands up. “Tell me if I say something that you don’t like. Tell me if I piss you off, tell me if you want me to do something. Stop treating me like a child.”

His nostrils flared but he nodded. “You’re right, I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.”

I wasn’t expecting him to agree so easily but I was happy that he did. I managed a small smile before burying my head back into my plate. Now that I had said what was on my mind, I didn’t know what else to say.

“Have you decided where you want to go?” he asked and I debated it for a minute before nodding.

“I want to see Serena and Clara, maybe in Serena’s parent’s café.”

“Consider it done.”

After breakfast, he drove me over to the café. I kept my hands carefully fisted in my lap because as much as I wanted this, it also slightly terrified me. I hadn’t been out in so long, before this week, I had been locked in with Blake.

I was scared at how the people would react to me, scared at how the pack would look at me. I tried to assure myself that it was all in my head but the more I tried to, the worse the anxiety became. A part of me wanted to scream at Kaden to turn about but I didn’t- I couldn’t- I had to do this, had to face my fears and go out but I felt like I was going to throw up.

“Amelia, you can turn back if you want,” Kaden told me, his hand coming to rest on my thighs. “There’s no shame in that.”

“I’m fine,” I managed out exhaling deeply. I could do this, I just needed a little push, that’s all.

He frowned but once again said nothing and merely drove. By the time we got to the café, I was shocked to see it empty. I glanced over at Kaden who just shrugged and I knew it was his doing. Tears gathered at the back of my eyes and I mentally smacked myself for being such a cry baby but I couldn’t help it.

He had known how anxious I would be and he had taken care of it without me having to ask. I loved this man and I couldn’t even believe just how much.

“Thank you,” I managed out but he waved me off.

“Your friends are waiting for you.”

“Are you going back home?”

“I can’t leave you just yet, Amelia. I’m sorry but I’m not ready for that yet. I’ll be in one of the chairs outside. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I felt relieved about that because I didn’t want him gone either. I couldn’t help but feel like if he had been present when I was taken, it would never have happened. I felt safe with him and I didn’t want that to end yet.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I got out of the car and with shaky legs, I made my way into the café. Serena and Clara were talking over mugs of coffee and I couldn’t help but smile because it felt like maybe everything would be fine.