AMELIA’S P.O.V

Clara didn’t say a single word regarding my conversation with Aaron. I could tell she was thinking about it though. She was many things but stupid was not one of it. She knew exactly what that conversation was about and I expected more questions from her but there was nothing.


“Do you want to come in?” was the first thing she asked when we got to her house. “My grandparents are home but that’s about it. They’ve missed you. They might want to say hi.”

I didn’t want to take the offer but I also realized how cruel it was that I hadn’t come to see them yet. They took me in when they didn’t have to and treated me like their own grandchild. Before I could talk myself out of it, I nodded and followed her up to the front door.

My palms were clammy and it felt like my chest was closing in on me but I forced myself to walk into the house. It smelled the same and looked the same, nothing had changed since the last time I was inside. It almost felt like I had never left.


“Clara are you-” I heard Pamela begin but she trailed off when she saw me.

She opened and closed her mouth a few times as if trying to convince herself that what she was seeing was real. I tried to speak but nothing came out because she was instantly in front of me wrapping her arms around my shoulders. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed out of pure relief and I felt the tightness in my chest ebb away.


Pamela was the closest I had come to a mother figure and having her arms around me felt like everything. I didn’t shy away from her, instead, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer.

“You’re alright,” she whispered and I nodded. “I was so scared. I thought the worst had happened. Oh my, goddess, Amelia, you’re here.”

“I’m here,” I managed out.

I heard footsteps behind her and I looked over her shoulder to find Devin standing there. For someone who wasn’t as affectionate, I saw the warmth in his eyes. As soon as Pamela released me, he was in front of me.

“I’m glad you’re back, kid,” he told me before ruffling my hair. “You should stay for dinner. I’m sure Kaden won’t mind.”

I didn’t need to think about it before nodding.

It felt just like old times and I didn’t realize how much I had missed it.

Clara and I set the table while Pamela busied herself around the kitchen. I tried to help her but she only pushed me out and told me to let her serve me. it was beautiful and chaotic and when Caleb and Kaden walked into the house, I knew then that it was perfect.

Kaden pressed a kiss to the center of my head, his scent enveloping me before taking the seat next to me as Pamela laid the dishes on the table. She made a full feast, I doubted we would finish it all but she was happy and I was happy too.

“I think I’ll get the wine for this,” Devin made to stand up and I shot a panicked look at Kaden.

“There will be no need, Devin, please. You shouldn’t even be taking wine at your age.”

Devin rolled his eyes. “Please, I’m not old, Kaden. You may be the Alpha but you’re still my son’s best friend. Besides we have to celebrate Amelia.”

“There’s no need,” I assured him but he didn’t look ready to let it drop. “Please, Devin, I don’t want any alcohol, not right now.”

I wasn’t sure what he heard in my tone but he nodded. I wanted to tell them about the baby, but not now. I didn’t get the chance to tell Kaden the way I would have loved to but I could do it right with them.

Pamela cleared her throat in an effort to ease the tension. “So, where did you whisk Clara off to?”

I just shrugged. “We went to see Aaron. It wasn’t a big deal.”

“Isn’t Aaron your uncle?” she asked and I nodded. “How did it go?”

“Good,” Clara cut in. I had never met anyone who was as terrible of a liar as she was. Her eyes darted to me then around the room almost as if she was guilty.

It was so easy to know when she was hiding things and I Kaden obviously noticed the tension and turned to Clara. “What did he say?”

“Nothing,” I told him but he wouldn’t look at me. I didn’t want to discuss this, especially not with people around. “Kaden, drop it.”

He raised a brow in Clara’s direction. “Are you going to answer me?”

“Kaden,” I grabbed at his arm. “Don’t do this, not here. I don’t want to talk about it.”

He ignored me.

Where Aaron was concerned, Kaden had tunnel vision. Despite the fact that Aaron had come looking for me, he was convinced that Aaron was going to hurt me. I knew he was just being protective but right now, he was doing too much.

“Kaden,” Caleb cut in. “Maybe you should.”

Kaden held up a hand to stop him, not looking away from Clara. “Speak, now.”

Clara turned to me, her eyes wide with guilt and apologies. I knew what she was going to say before she even spoke so I sighed deeply and nodded. She couldn’t ignore an order from her Alpha.

“If you do this, I will hate you,” I told my mate. “Do not force this.”

He finally broke his stare to look at me. “Then you tell me what he said. What happened in there?”

“It isn’t important.”

“If that was true then you would just tell me.”

I scoffed. “I was asking how to break the remnants of the mating bond I have with Blake and he told me there was a possibility it would break ours.”

His eyes widened in shock. “Amelia, I-”

“Save it,” I stood to my feet. “When he told me, all I kept thinking was how I couldn’t bear to do that to us but now, it seems like a fair risk to me.”