AMELIA’S P.O.V

“Hi,” I managed out as I made my way over to them and their conversation instantly ceased. I could see that Serena was itching to touch me but they both held back for my sake. “I’m not going to shatter just because you hug me.”


That was all Serena needed before she rushed to her feet and threw her arms around my shoulders. She didn’t cry like the last time but I could feel her relief as she held me. I wasn’t sure how long that lasted but as soon as she pulled away, Clara’s arms were around me.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered and I could almost taste the guilt that was radiating off her.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I assured her. “We were ambushed, we were sidetracked. Thar had nothing to do with you. I need you to know that.”


“You were gone, for so long.”

“But I’m back now,” I pulled away and grasped her shoulders. “All that matters is that I’m back now.”


She gave me a small nod. I knew it would take more than that to deal with the guilt that she felt but it was a good start at least. She needed to know that I didn’t blame her. It could have happened with anyone else, not just her. If she hadn’t been there, I would have still gone missing and they might not have found out as soon as they normally would have.

“Where’s Iris?” I asked Serena, looking around the café for her daughter.

“She’s in school right now.”

Speaking of school. “Do you think I can have your notes? I must have missed so many classes. There is no way I’m going to graduate.”

“You’re mated to the Alpha,” Clara snorted. “Believe me, you’re going to graduate. Especially when it wasn’t your fault that you missed classes.”

I just shrugged. In all honesty, I didn’t care much about university anymore. I was going to finish it just for the sake of it but I was done with it. I had come to the realization that there was more to life than what I actually thought and as good as university was, it wasn’t going to help me.

Something dropped gently on the table and I looked up to find Serena placing a mug of iced coffee in front of me. I hadn’t even noticed when she stood up. I gave her a warm smile and grasped it with both hands. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to have caffeine but for once, I didn’t care.

“I’m sorry I pulled you both away from whatever you had to do today. I don’t even know why I did when I don’t have anything in particular that I wanted to do, I just didn’t want to be home.”

“It’s okay,” Serena assured me. “I wasn’t doing much anyway.”

“Me neither, I was sitting at home when Kaden called. It’s a good excuse to get out. We can just sit here in silence if that’s what you want, I don’t mind.”

“Can you just tell me what I missed when I was done?” I asked. “I just want to know what happened. I don’t care what it is, it could be mundane and stupid but I need to know- not the sad things either.”

“Are you sure?” Clara asked and I nodded. I had never been more sure before.

We spent the next three hours talking about entirely pointless things. I listened far more than I spoke but I loved hearing every single moment of it. They told me about the most absurd rumors and gossip that they heard, about the things that had happened in the pack and Serena told me about everything that I missed in school.

It almost felt like I had never left- almost.

By the time I had to leave, there was a small pang in my chest and I knew that I needed to do this again. My friends had healed more than I thought was possible and I needed them more than I originally thought.

We parted with our goodbye hugs and I got into the car after Kaden.

My mate said nothing the entire drive, merely watching me with a small smile on his face and glancing at me every few seconds. I couldn’t blame him, I had the first genuine smile on my face in a week. I felt better than I had in a while.

We got home and I was shocked when I found someone standing outside our door. From where I sat, I couldn’t see them clearly, only the back of their head.

“Are you expecting anyone?” I asked Kaden who shook his head.

As we drove closer, their features became clearer and the person turned to reveal Aiden. I was confused to see him here and I turned to Kaden who shared the exact same expression on his face but his was mixed with a twinge of annoyance.

“Wait here,” he told me before getting out of the car.

I did as he asked mainly because I didn’t have the energy for another interaction. They spoke animatedly, with Kaden waving his hands and I could vaguely hear him tell Aiden to leave. Aiden didn’t seem very happy about that, gesturing to me a few times and I knew he had come to see me.

Aiden was stubborn and I knew this would only escalate so I sighed deeply before getting out of the car.

“Amelia, go back,” I heard Kaden say but I ignored him and headed for Aiden.

“Hi.”

Aiden smiled. “You look better. I came to see how you were doing.”

I shrugged. “I’m good and now that you’ve seen me, you can go now.”

He frowned. “Come on, Amelia. I drove all this way.”

“I’m glad you did, but please leave. I don’t want to see anyone right now, much less someone who makes me uncomfortable.”

I hadn’t forgotten all my strange interactions with Aiden. Although they were at the back of my mind right now, I just knew I didn’t trust him much.

“She said leave,” Kaden’s voice was a harsh growl.

Aiden pursed his lips before bowing in a mocking manner. “Of course, I hope you get better soon, Amelia.”