AMELIA’S P.O.V

Kaden didn’t return that day and I ended up staying in the empty house despite Clara and Caleb offering a place for me in their house. I didn’t want to be there because I didn’t want to be a burden to them and I also wanted some time alone to my thoughts. I also had school the next morning and I knew it would be easier for me to face school if I was on my own. Clara always had a way of bringing out the emotional side of me and the last thing I needed was to walk into that frenzy while I was emotionally vulnerable because if Aiden knew about Nadine’s presence then everyone else did too.


As soon as I got to school, Serena was instantly by my side. She tried to keep a calm demeanor but I could tell that she was just as worried as I was. Everyone was staring and whispering under their breaths as we passed. Thankfully, no one bothered us- at least until our free period. We were in the café as usual and I had somehow gotten used to the whispers and the pointing when I noticed a girl making her way over. I didn’t remember her name but I know she used to hang out with Lucy

At first, I thought she was just walking past. I didn’t realize she was actually making her way over to me until she stopped directly in front of our table. I glanced up at her and the moment I noticed the cruel smirk on her face, I knew that she was looking for a fight. I decided to ignore her hoping that she would just take the hint and leave me alone but instead, she sat down directly in front of me.

“Hello, Amelia,” she sing songed and I shot her a bland look. “Do you think the Alpha will come to pick you up from school today? You guys seem to be awfully cozy- you are his girlfriend after all.” She paused and pretended to think. “Oh wait, he is in the hospital with some girl. Does it hurt?”


“Does what hurt?” I asked and she leaned forward so that she was staring deep into my eyes.

“Does it hurt that he picked someone else over you?” she didn’t wait for me to respond before she spoke again. “How does it feel to finally get a taste of your own medicine? It must have felt so good when you stole him from Lucy, didn’t it? I am just happy that I get a front row seat to watch someone steal him from you.”


Serena opened her mouth to defend me but I held up a hand to stop her. Pure and undiluted anger filled her face and while I understood that she wanted to defend me, I didn’t need her to. She was nothing but a bully and I had my fair share of bullies so I know how to deal with them.

“I didn’t steal anyone from you,” I began slowly, “and no one is stealing anyone from me. I don’t know what you thought you were going to achieve by coming here but you won’t. Kaden is my mate, he wasn’t Lucy’s no matter what she may have told you. There was nothing to steal from her because he never belonged to her and Kaden isn’t an object to be stolen anyway.”

“I can see the fear in your eyes though,” she tried to goad me but I shook my head.

“That is just your own reflection. You are so determined to see the worst in others but you don’t realize that all you can see is yourself. We hate in others what we see in ourselves. Now, I really don’t want to embarrass you right now and I really do not want to fight with you so my advice is that you leave while you still have some shred of dignity left.”

Her cheeks heated to an ugly shade of red and for a second, I thought that she was going to attack me but at the last minute, she stood to her feet and stomped away. The entire café was quiet and I knew that everyone had overheard our conversation but I just didn’t care anymore. I turned to Serena and stood to my feet. She got the hint immediately and followed me out of the café to the little tree outside where we spent the rest of our free period.

Serena stayed by my side until the end of school and no one bothered me again. The girl stayed as far away from me as she possibly could but didn’t hesitate to shoot me evil glances whenever she had the opportunity. I didn’t care anymore because I could finally see her for what she was- a scared little girl who thought she was losing everything. She was just all bark and no bite.

“Are you sure that you will be okay on your own?” Serena asked as she walked me to my car and I nodded. “You can always come with me to my parent’s café or we can just go somewhere.”

“I’m fine, Serena, really. I actually just want to go home and rest for a while. Today has been a lot and I would very much like to forget about it.”

“I really don’t want to leave you alone.”

I opened my mouth to respond but her features suddenly contorted into a deep frown. I didn’t need to turn around because I knew there was only one person who could elicit that kind of reaction from her. I opened my door in a flash but just as I was about to close it, a hand shot out and held it.

“What do you want Aiden? I thought I was very clear from the last time that I didn’t want to see you.”

“I just wanted to make sure that you hadn’t changed your mind.”

“If I have, then I know where to find you,” I deadpanned. “You can leave now.”

He didn’t leave and instead wrenched my door further open. At this, Serena stepped in front of him which meant that her upper body was practically inside of the car. He looked down at her like she was dirt beneath his shoe but she never once faltered from his harsh gaze.

“She said that you could leave,” Serena repeated and I was stunned at how willing she was to defend me from him. Even he was because shock covered his features before he quickly hid it and morphed it into an amused grin.

“You know that I outrank you, right?” he asked and she froze. “You should know how to stay out of the business of superiors. Why don’t you go back to where you belong?”

“You don’t get to speak to her that way,” I cut in. “Serena is with me and you will address her with the same amount of respect that you will me.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble sweetheart but you aren’t officially mated to Kaden yet and that means you have no rank in this pack. If anything, she outranks you and she is a normal pack member,” he shrugged innocently before turning to Serena. “Now run along, I have something to talk to Amelia about.”

I gritted my teeth but I knew Aiden was right. I gave Amelia a nod and she looked like she was about to protest but I shook my head. I didn’t want her to get in trouble. She hesitated for another second before sighing in exasperation and storming off. I waited until she had disappeared before I turned back to Aiden.

“You need to leave me alone, Aiden. I don’t want whatever it is that you’re selling. I want to be left alone.”

“I was just making an offer. I am the only one willing to give you answers.”

“I cannot trust that you will tell me the truth. Look, if I need you, I will tell you but right now, I don’t need you and I would like if you left me alone.”

“Why are you being difficult? Are you really that-”

“Am I interrupting something?” I turned to see Caleb walking towards the car with a smirk and I let out an audible sigh of relief. “Sorry that I’m late, Amelia, I was just finishing up some things. Kaden asked me to take you home. Thank you for keeping her company, Aiden.”

Aiden looked like he had been forced to swallow glass but he nodded. Caleb outranked him and there was nothing he could do. He gave me a tight lipped smile and tipped his head in my direction as if telling me not to forget his offer. Once he was gone, I let out a sigh of relief.

“If he bothers you again then you should call me. Do you want guards with you in school?” Caleb asked and I quickly shook my head.

“Things are already bad as they are, I don’t want to make them worse,” he looked like he wanted to ask some questions about that but I quickly changed the subject. “Did Kaden really send you?” He hesitated and that was all the answer that I needed. “Of course, not, why did I even think otherwise?”

“I’m sorry, Amelia. It was the quickest way I could think to get rid of him. The only person Aiden respects or fears is Kaden because he knows that Kaden sees right through his bullshit but for what it is worth, Kaden would have wanted me to protect you.”

“How did you know that I was here and he was bothering me?”

“I gave your friend- Serena- my number a while ago. I asked her to call me if she ever thought that you were in trouble. She called me and I just happened to be nearby. I thought I would pop in and make sure you got away safe before returning.”

“Thank you,” I whispered but he waved me off. “What about Kaden, how is he?”

“I haven’t been to see him yet but last time I asked, he was at the hospital. Do you want to go see him?”

“I don’t know if I should,” I admitted. “I don’t know if he wants anything to do with me anymore. He seems preoccupied with Nadine. She seems to be his main focus right now. I wouldn’t want to come in the way of that.”

Caleb grabbed my hand. “Snap out of this Amelia, this isn’t you. You know Kaden better than any of us. He just lost sight of what is important and you need to help remind him. Kaden would never give up on you, so don’t give up on him too.”

He looked like he wanted to say more but his phone buzzed in his pocket.

“I have to go,” he gave me a sad look and I could tell that he would have stayed longer if he could, “but I hope you make the right choice. I’m going to support you no matter what. Remember that we all have your back.”