Chapter 0545

“To think I brought you your dress even.” Emmy shook her head at me.

“It’s really anyone else’s turn to get hurt. I’m tired of being that person.” “Hey! I got hurt pretty bad last time! I almost died!” Jasper raised his hands up in his defense. noveldrama

“True.” I nodded. “I still saved your ass.” “Getting back to the topic at hand.” Colt sighed. “I haven't heard back from the other alphas. They will all be here next weekend for the ball. So far, none of them have been attacked so other than being aware, I’m not sure what

else we can do.” “I have to go to the shop tomorrow.” “I'll swing by and check on you.” Colt offered.

“I'll be around as well. There are a few things I need to do.” Alec stood up and cracked his knuckles.

“Isn’t Calvin suppose to start tomorrow?” Emmy asked.

“Yeah. He passed his classes and is ready to start. I have a few people lined up that have multiple tattoos that are willing to let him work on them. I promised I would fix any fuck ups for no charge.” I said as I yawned.

“Let’s get going.” Jasper looked at his watch. “We need to get up early as well.”

Emmy sighed but wiggled out from the chair. “I'll bring you lunch at the shop.” “Sounds good. Make it something hot.” “Will do.” Emmy reached out and squeezed my hand before she walked to the front door.

“Feel better.” Jasper said as he was passed. “Thank you for saving Emmy.” “Anytime.” What was I going to do, let her die? As soon as they were out of the door, Colt came over and sat down on the edge of the chair. “Ice, you’re not okay.” It was a statement, not a question.

“I'honestly don’t know why I went

there. When I set fire to the packhouse, Ilet go of all the hatred and negative feelings. I haven't even thought about that whole ordeal.” “It was a very real trauma. Suppression isn’t healing. You have to stop pushing your feelings down and work through them.” Colt put his hand on my boot.

“Exactly how do you suppose I do that? Everyone is dead. There isn’t a reason I should still have any negative feelings and it isn’t like I am walking around reliving it. I’ve been going to work by myself. I've raised Adalynn and never once have I had a thought about it. I don’t feel anything.” “What do you feel?” Colt pushed.

“Right now, cold.”

Colt gave me a look that told me he wasn’t happy with my answer. “Come on, be serious. I'm worried about you.” “I don’t know what you want me to say. I don’t dream about it. Have I woken up crying or yelling out?” Looking at Alec.

“No.” “All I can say is it was very similar. It was a near death experience and my mind just related the two. I wasn’t sure what was going on around me and a trauma like that isn’t something someone get’s over. It’s something you learn to live with and I think I’ve adapted very well.” I looked at Alec for help. “Have I not been checking in more? I've been more open about my feelings. Hell, I even made you stay in

the shower with me so I wasn’t alone.” “I’m just saying I’m worried about you. Seeing you thrash around on the hospital bed was a deja vu that I didn’t need to have. It affects us too when you almost die.” “I promise I will try to work on whatever is going on with me when I figure it out.” I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say. I still didn’t believe I had a problem.

Colt gave me a look but eventually gave up. “I'll be bugging you about this until I'am satisfied you are mentally okay.” “You're not mentally okay. When was the last time you got a full nights sleep?”

Colt pointed a finger at me. “Don’t turn this around on me.” Finishing off my hot chocolate, I looked at his expression. He was trying not to smile and remain serious. “Colt.

I'm tired and ready to go to bed.” “Sis, you will never get rid of me.” This time, he did smile as he bend down and kissed my forehead. “Ill call you tomorrow.” He said to Alec and shook his hand.

“Late, man. Drive safe.” Alec walked him to the door. They exchanged a few words that I couldn’t hear but I was too tired and cold to care. &» Iwas setting my cup down when Alec walked back. He didn’t say anything as he gently got into the chair. I had to move a little so we were comfortable.

“I feel like I have improved from the

day you met me.” I.didn’t need to elaborate on what I was referring to. “You have.” [os That was it. You have? “Not going to say anything else?” I leaned away and looked at him. I was slightly hurt by this.

“I think you have made amazing strides in dealing with your emotions.

Honestly, you haven’t made me think once that you were still suffering from that trauma. I'm not going to lie and I wasn't waiting for it to come crashing down but maybe your subconscious is telling you that it’s something you still carry with you.” Alec rested his head on his hand and looked at the fire. He was battling with his emotions. There was some confusion, anger, concern but mostly

he was feeling hopeless. “You think I am suffering alone and not telling you?” Gm | “You wouldn’t be able to hide that from me.” Alec didn’t even look at me as he talked. He stared into the fire. “I would know if you were suffering. No, I just can’t get the images of you. More than onces I have sat beside you ina hosptial bed. You were on the brink of dying, covered in blood and bruises. I can’t do that again. I need you here.

Adalynn needs you.” @» I'wasn’t sure what to say so I just laid my head down and watched the fire.