55

"Stuff happens for a reason, ya know?"

Amelia's POV

I followed Kaden closely and scowled as some girl walked up to us. My nose wrinkled at the smell of booze seeping from her.

She stumbled a bit and landed right against Kaden, her body pressed against his. Possessiveness instantly rushed through me and I growled and locked eyes with her. She met them back with a naive challenging stare. Rain snarled and without hesitation I lunged and gripped her throat in my hand before wringing her up and tossing her to the ground.

"Don't touch him. He's mine." I growled and bared my fangs. Rain howled in rage at the girl's wolf. The woman looked away and bowed her head in submission.

I rolled my eyes and walked away from the girl and turned back to Kaden whom was drinking again with a soft lazy smirk.

His eyes looked from the girl on the ground to me and his smirk widened as he put the drink to his side and licked his lips softly before saying in a slightly slurring voice, "Was that really necessary?" I raised an eyebrow before nodding and he chuckled softly.

"Wait until my father hears about this!" The young woman said standing up and scurrying away. I marched after her.

"Was that a threat?!" I yelled and she disappeared into the crowd. I huffed and turned about to go back to Kaden. Rain gave an annoyed snort and gave her ear a good scratch.

Dumb bitch. Rain growled and I agreed.

I ignored the watching eyes and strolled back to Kaden who was chuckling softly before sipping on his drink. In his laughing I assume the beverage went down the wrong pipe because he immediately stopped and coughed a bit before clearing his throat.

I couldn't help the smirk that came to my lips which he frowned at.

"Comeon." He said and his words ran together. I nodded and followed him out.

It wasn't long before we were in the car and bickering over who should drive.

"Kaden you're drunk." I said and he frowned.

"I'm perfitly c-p'ble of drivin'." He argued and I rolled my eyes.

"You're not even talking right. Just let me drive." I said and he gave me a long look.

"No." He said and put the key in the ignition before slamming his door shut.

I scowled in annoyance and growled softly, "If you wreck this car Kaden..." I trailed off as he began backing up and in a few moments we were leaving the parking lot.

"Shut up woman." Kaden barked and I frowned.

"Just drive." I growled and he huffed as we drove down the road.

Luckily no other drivers were around to witness our car drifting back and forth into other lanes and running against curbs and off road a few times, but that didn't make the drive less nerve wracking.

"Kaden--"

"I've got it." He growled and I gulped and did my best to ignore his reckless driving. After all we'd be home soon.

"Le'go." Kaden muttered as the car was parked crookedly in the driveway and he bailed out. I sighed and got out of the car as well before following him towards the door.

He unlocked the door after some struggle and trudged inside. I trailed behind him and we made our way to our room.

Once there he changed into more comfortable clothes, shorts and a tank top, before scrubbing a hand through his rugged hair. He looked tired.

"I'll be ba'kin abit... goin'outside fora while." Kaden said and I gazed at him for some time before nodding. He huffed and turned before leaving the room. I tilted my head in questioning, wondering what was wrong, but not really wanting to bother him.

Are we still gonna make love tonight? Rain asked me inside and I made my way towards the bathroom to shower.

I don't think so Rain. I replied and she whined in annoyance and disappointment. I then blocked out her whining. Of course, I was rather upset too, but I wasn't going to dwell on it.

I stripped and got into the shower. The warm water calmed me and I hummed as I washed my hair.

After rinsing off I stepped out and dried myself off. I made my way to the closet and slipped on underwear and a nightshirt as well as some shorts before getting into bed. Kaden was still outside and I pulled the covers around me.

I wondered what was wrong with my mate, but then again he'd tell me... right?

Yet part of me, wishes I'd never wondered.

"The scent of smoke hung in the air, making the animals hesitant to go further, in fear of a fire."

Amelia's POV

My eyes peeled open to a dimly lit room and after checking my phone I frowned. I had only slept about twenty minutes.

I sat up with a sigh after looking at the empty space beside me. Was Kaden still outside?

I slowly got out of bed and glanced around the room to find he indeed wasn't here. I frowned and walked toward the door before slipping out and making my way down the hall. I followed his scent down the flight of stairs and paused as it was thrown around the living room. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my confused nerves.

As I stood there the sound of pounding feet caught my attention. I raised my eyebrows and made my way toward the front door.

I listened through the door and soon enough heard the gruff voice of my mate. I opened the door a little and peeked outside into the fading daylight.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Kaden growled as he paced on the porch. I frowned in confusion at a soft, repetitive scraping noise. Kaden's back was to me. His words were still slurred and I glanced around to find two empty beer cans. I sighed and slipped outside and shut the door softly behind me.

I walked towards him and saw a spark of light which then disappeared before Kaden let out a frustrated huff.

"What's wrong?" I asked and he jumped and whirled around.

A cigarette hung out of his mouth, clinging to his surprised lips. I frowned at the little white and orange roll of poison laced with nicotine.

Kaden gave me a look before running a hand through his messy hair. His eyes squinted a little as he gazed at me.

"Yougotta light?" He slurred and I scowled. His eyes studied me before he huffed.

"Hell whyam I askingyou?" He said shaking his head and messing with the lighter in his hand. He put it up to the cigarette's end and his thumb flicked as he tried to get it working.

"Since when do you smoke?" I asked and Kaden growled at the lighter.

"Since I wanna." He snapped and continued to fiddle with the lighter. Finally he got a flame and lit the cigarette. He tucked the lighter back in his pocket.

He sighed and sucked in a breath before gripping the cigarette in between his pointer and middle finger. He pulled it away from his mouth and blew out a cloud of foul smoke. My nose wrinkled as it tainted my nostrils and I coughed and waved my hand in front of my face.

"Youwantone?" He slurred and began reaching in his other pocket.

"No. I'm going back to bed. Brush your teeth afterwards. Take a shower. Something. I don't want to be smelling smoke." I said and shook my head before turning to go back inside.

"Wait. Stay outsidewih me." He said and I glanced back at him to find him staring at me with the cigarette poking out from the side of his mouth.

"Okay..." I said and walked over to him and he threw an arm around my shoulder.

We stood on the side of the porch looking out at the forest.

"You know I used t- bring Emma ouhere?" Kaden said in an almost sad voice. I looked to him and coughed as I inhaled more smoke.

"Who's Emma?" I asked and he looked at me lazily. He held a soft frown that faded to a dorky smile.

"Shewamybestfriend. Best friend. I lovedher." Kaden said and took another puff of the cigarette. By now Rain was growling angrily.

"She died." Kaden sighed staring back out at the forest. Rain immediately stopped growling.

I watched silently as Kaden pointed off into the distance.

"Rouges gother... o'rthere." He said and his arm fell back to his side.

I glanced to the dark woods and frowned softly. The sun was dipping behind the canopy and I glanced at Kaden to find him looking at me.

He took another puff before sighing, "You're nothin'like her." He gave a soft shake of his head before turning and walking toward the door. I scowled and shuffled my feet before following him. Okay then...

I picked up the empty beer cans and tossed them into a trashcan that was mere feet away. Kaden then flicked the still slightly burning end to the ground and I glanced at his retreating form before stomping out the cigarette and tailing him inside.

I shut the door behind me and sighed as Kaden disappeared around the corner before I heard a thud and a flurry of curses. I raised my eyebrows and went around to find him beginning to stand up while muttering angrily.

"You okay?" I asked softly and he looked up at me and nodded.

"Yeah, fell." He grunted and made his way back toward our room. I shrugged to myself and followed him closely, ready to help him if needed.

We made it to the room without anymore falls and Kaden stumbled to the bathroom. I let out a breath and climbed into bed.

I listened to the water beginning to run and I glanced to the bathroom to see Kaden fumbling with his toothbrush. He frowned softly and squeezed toothpaste out on his toothbrush before dampening it in water and starting to brush his teeth.

When he was done he left the restroom and clambered into bed beside me.

"I'm goin't-sleep." He announced and I nodded before pulling the sheets over my head and burying my face in a pillow. The soft drone of the fan hummed in the air and I took a deep breath before closing my eyes.

"Amelia." Kaden said suddenly and I sighed and raised my eyebrows but didn't open my eyes.

"Yes?" I asked softly trying not to flinch as his arm suddenly laid against my waist.

"I'm goin't-sleep."

"You already said that Kaden." I breathed with a small smirk forming on my lips.

"Oh... night." He said and I let myself fall asleep.