KADEN’S P.O.V

I stared at my mate, it still felt like a dream, like she was going to disappear if I looked away from her for too long.


She looked so fragile, so gentle as she lay in the hospital bed. I didn’t know the extent of her journey but her injuries and the doctors had told me enough. The bottom of her feet were torn up, her wolf was weak from external reasons, the doctor assumes she was being fed copious amounts of wolf’s bane or something similar. She was dehydrated and she had been underfed. To think that she went through all that and still managed to come back to me while pregnant with my child was mind blowing.

My wolf was ecstatic to have her back but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had disappointed her, that I had failed her. I should have been there, should have rescued her, instead, she had to suffer. I wondered if Blake knew that she was pregnant or if she managed to hide it from him but I couldn’t bring myself to ask her about it, couldn’t bring myself to break the bubble encompassing us right now. Instead, I just pulled her further into my side and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

“How long do I have to be here?” she asked and I shrugged. The truth was, I didn’t know the answer to that but I wanted her here for as long as necessary. “I want to go home, Kaden. I’ve spent too long away from my home.”


“You’re hurt, Amelia,” I frowned. “You’re hurt and you need to get better.”

“I can get better at home. Please, Kaden, talk to the doctors. I don’t care if I’m on bed rest, I just want to be home.”


There was an edge to her voice, something broken and soft, it ruined me. I knew that no matter what, I was going to give her whatever she wanted. I gave her a small nod and it was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she relaxed completely into me, a small sigh of content leaving her lips.

“Where are the others? I want to see them.”

I mind linked Caleb. He was relieved to hear from me. I gave him Amelia’s request and it didn’t take up a five minutes before the door was opening and Clara rushed in, her hair whipping behind her as she threw herself into Amelia’s arms. I slipped into the chair by her bed wanting to give them space but not wanting to be so far away from my mate.

They both dissolved into sobs and even though I knew they were tears of happiness, it did something to me to hear those sounds from Amelia. My heart twisted in my chest and I kept my hands fisted by my side to prevent from reaching for her. She needed a second with her friend.

They spoke to each other in garbled whispers and I turned away to give them some privacy. My eyes fell on the man that had helped Amelia. He was in much better shape than she was, all he needed was some water and new clothes but he looked fine.

I stood to my feet and made my way over to him. He eyes me warily, taking a step back as he did and I couldn’t help the curve of my lips as he did. I knew my reputation and I knew how many people feared me outside of my own pack. It was good to know that I hadn’t lost my edge.

“Thank you for bringing her back to me,” I said extending my hand to him and I could see the surprise in his face as he just stared.

It took him a second before he finally took my hand. “It was no problem. My mate took a liking to her. She asked me to do it.”

“You and your mate have my gratitude, if there is ever anything I can do, I will. Do you belong to a pack?”

“We are rogues, but we live in an encampment. We don’t bother any packs and they don’t bother us. I would just like to keep it that way,” he looked over my shoulder at Amelia who was now staring at him. “Are you good?”

She nodded. “Thank you, and tell Darla thank you from me. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”

“Stay safe, you and the-” he paused, not knowing if the others knew yet. “I better leave, Darla will be worried.”

“Stay the night,” Amelia blurted out. “You must be exhausted. You should rest and we don’t know if Blake has more men outside the pack. I don’t want to lead them back to your home. You can leave tomorrow. Kaden will send guards with you too, right?”

I nodded. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the man who had saved her and brought her home. He seemed shocked that I had agreed but he bowed. I nodded to Caleb who led him out but not before smiling at Amelia.

It was just Clara, Amelia and I. I loved Clara like a sister but right now, I wished she would just leave so I could be alone with my mate. Amelia didn’t seem to mind her company so I wasn’t complaining much especially when as soon as I was within reach, Amelia intertwined our fingers.

“Blake is not going to be pleased,” she said, her face screwing up into a frown. “He’s convinced that I am meant to be his mate. I suppose I am partly to blame, I should have broken the bond when I had the chance but I didn’t know how.”

“It is not your fault,” I hated the fact that she even considered herself an offender in this situation. "He is a bastard and I will make sure he regrets his actions as he dies.”

She turned to me. “You’re going to kill him?”

“I have to. He took you from our pack, he breached our territory and he hurt you. He deserves to die. If I don’t, other packs will take us to be weak and think they can get away with anything.”

“Can it wait?”

My first thought was that she was defending him, but I noticed something in her tone, something reserved.

“Why?”

“Because there’s been too much violence. I just want to rest, Kaden, please. I’ve been away from you for too long and I don’t want you to leave right now. You can send someone else to take the pack for all I care but I don’t want you to leave, please.”