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I balled my hands into fists, nearly tearing the thin sheets beneath me.
“Theo? You’re awake?” Kaden stood from the chair in the corner and came to my bedside.
“Yeah.” I didn’t look at him.
He, Saige, and Niall had been rotating between me, Sai, Emily, Joey, and Dustin. The other bond had been tranquilized when they came to help us. I hated that our friends were hurt because of us, but at least we were all awake.
The pack lost two members, both on the traitors’ side.
“Everyone involved has been arrested and has iron cuffs on. The Alpha said they’ll be dealt with after the victims have had time to heal. They’re having to wait in the basement of the main lodge until then.”
He was probably trying to make me feel better, but I didn't care. They could be punished, banned, or even killed, and it wouldn’t fix the peace they shattered.
How could we go on? How could we ever live our lives?
No matter where we went, we would be hunted or hated simply for being ourselves.
“Don’t think like that,” Kaden’s words pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I made the mistake of meeting his eyes.
“Don't listen to my thoughts.”
“Don't project them,” he countered.
“I’m too tired to worry about that.”
“You've been sleeping for almost four days.”
I glared at him. “Yeah, after being poisoned for three.”
“What's going on? You need to talk to me.”
I sat up, staring just beyond his shoulder and trying to keep my thoughts to myself. I didn't know how to explain to make anyone else understand the level of hurt and betrayal I felt. I wouldn't have expected it to hit me this hard or for it to hurt this much.
“Please,” Kaden's voice dropped. “I need to know what you're thinking. What you're going through. You're not alone, and you don't have to deal with this by yourself.”
As much as I didn't want to admit it, he was right. My feelings would affect our bond, whether or not I told anyone. We had enough to deal with without me sulking.
“I'm pissed.” I clenched my fists. “I’m fucking pissed and hurt.”
I closed my eyes and swallowed. I'd never felt this much anger and . . . something else. The closest word I could think of was disappointment, but that doesn't feel strong enough to describe the ache in my chest.
Kaden stood and sat on the edge of the bed. I scooted my legs over to make room for him.
“You felt at home here.”
I wasn't sure if it was a question or not, but I nodded.
“You were the only one who truly felt safe. Or welcomed. Or like you might actually belong.”
“I was?” I couldn't believe that. How could the others not see what an opportunity this was for us? How perfect it had been up until the attack?
“I'm not saying this to ruin your experience, but it's true. Sai’s has been hurting here, not being able to shift or train. Niall felt useless for the longest time until he pieced together clues about the potential of the first attack. He blames himself for not being able to figure it out sooner. For not being able to prevent it entirely, and not seeing this one coming at all.”
“And Saige?” I asked.
“I think she's doing her best to hold it together for all of us. Being here was the right thing for her, at least for a little while. She's come so far in such a short time, and I know that wouldn't have happened if we were at the academy. She needed Emily, Dustin, and Joey. We all did, so maybe that's why we were here. Maybe that's the reason we were meant to come, but she never felt really accepted. And now Serene…”
“What about Serene?”
