AMELIA’S P.O.V

I was released from the hospital after two days. I had a feeling the only reason I stayed that long was because of Kaden. For some reason, he seemed insistent on keeping me away. I knew he was trying to fix what he broke and sometimes, I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe we were beyond repair. He had been so busy with the pack work that he had abandoned but he made time to be in my hospital room every night when I thought he was asleep.


“What are you looking for?” Clara asked when she noticed me looking around the hospital while she signed my discharge forms. I gave a dismissive shrug but she could clearly see through it. “We asked him not to come. I thought it would be easier for you if he wasn’t here today.”

“He actually agreed to it?” I shot back and she nodded but I didn’t believe her. Kaden wouldn’t just agree, it wasn’t in his nature and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of eyes on me. Kaden was in the hospital and although I could not see him, I could feel him.

While Clara spoke with the nurse, I carefully and quietly took a few steps back until I was making my way towards the outside door. It felt good to have the sun rays beating down on my skin. The fresh air was such a change from the smell of antiseptic and drugs that filled the hospital. It felt good. I closed my eyes and tipped my head back to bask in it and that was when I felt him.


I didn’t need to turn, I knew he was behind me. I opened my eyes and sighed. “I thought you were asked not to come.”

“I had to see you,” he said simply and I finally turned to him. Kaden looked like a mess. His hair had grown out and he had a slight stubble on his chin. There were bags under his eyes and he looked worn out. “I needed to make sure that you were fine and that everything worked out well. You look good.”


“You should know, you’ve been visiting me every night,” I crossed my arms over my chest and he didn’t even look guilty. “What is this, Kaden? What is all this sneaking around and secrecy?”

“I’m trying to make things right. I messed up so many things, the most important being what I have with you. I want to fix it and I just need you to give me the chance to fix it. You might not understand what I am doing but I am trying to make things right.”

He reached out for me and despite the fact that every cell in my body was kicking into fight or flight, I forced myself to stay still. When he lifted his hand however, I couldn’t stop myself from flinching. I saw the self loating and anger that flashed in his eyes and I wished I could take away the last few minutes but I couldn’t. It had happened and there was nothing I could do about it.

He reached forward and cupped my cheek making sure to stroke it softly. “I am so sorry that I ever gave you a reason to flinch from me.”

“Kaden,” I began but he cut me off by taking a step back. “I know you didn’t mean it, for whatever it is worth, I know you didn’t want to hurt me. I just don’t know how to control this. I don’t know how to navigate this.”

“I know,” he whispered as he stepped closer and placed a kiss in the center of my forehead. It lingered and I couldn’t help but just enjoy the feel of his lips on my skin before he took a step back. “I will make it right, I swear but for now, I have to leave you alone.”

“What?”

“I’ll come by to see you soon. I have something I need to handle first.”

I didn’t have the chance to respond before he walked off. I stood there staring at the place he had disappeared towards. I didn’t know what had happened or how to process it but thankfully I didn’t have to because someone cleared their throat behind me. I turned to find Clara standing there with a small smile on her face. From the expression on her face, it was clear that she heard part of the conversation if not the entire thing.

“You can say whatever it is that you want to,” I whispered looking away from her. “I know I shouldn’t be throwing myself back into his arms but-”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” her words caught me off guard. “I think that what happened between both of you was incredibly traumatic and it would be stupid of me to try to tell you what to do. He is your mate and if you decide that you want to go back to him then I will support that.”

“What if I don’t?” I asked and she stilled. “What if I decide that all of this is too much and I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“Then I will support that too,” she didn’t miss a beat. “No one can tell you what to do with your life, Amelia. This is your decision to make and no one else’s. You can take as much time as you need.”

“Thank you.”

She waved me off. “Are you ready to go home?”

“No, actually. Can you drop me off somewhere first?”

I didn’t know why I wanted to go to the library first, it just seemed like the only place I could think without feeling like people were trying to micromanage me. I ignored the stares and whispers from the guards and made my way into the library. I had just made it to the private section when I realized I didn’t have the pass anymore. I couldn’t even name drop Kaden because I wasn’t sure where we stood anymore and everyone had seen the scene with Natasha. I wasn’t sure if I would be let in.

“Do you have the pass?” the guard asked looking down at me with a condescending glare. I was about to apologize when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over my shoulder and saw the female elder. I still didn’t know her name and I was surprised when she winked at me before turning to the guard.

“She is with me,” she announced and the guard’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off. “Are you going to keep us standing here or are you going to let us in?”