Chapter 238

Words : 795 Updated : Jun 25th, 2025

I didn't answer. I couldn't. The silence stretched until it felt like it would choke me. "You don't have to say anything," he said gently. "I'm not telling you to give him a chance, Sadie. That's your choice. But I think... I think it's time to stop hiding." "Hiding?" I repeated, my voice hollow. "You think you healed from what happened, but you didn't. You just got good at pretending it didn't hurt anymore. At locking it away. But burying your feelings isn't the best healing. Healing means letting go of the past-not just locking it in a box and pretending it doesn't exist." His words landed like a weight on my chest. I didn't respond. I couldn't. "I'll reach out to some of my contacts," he continued when I didn't speak. "See if I can dig up anything about Kaden or Xena. Before I forget, say hi to my favorite niece." "Thanks, King, I will," I murmured. "Anytime. And Sadie?" "Yeah?" "Be kind to yourself. Okay?" He hung up before I could reply. I stared at the screen for a long time, his words still echoing in my head. Burying your feelings isn't the best healing. I hated that he was right. I hated it even more because I didn't know what to do about it. I pushed the thoughts away and reached out through the mind-link. Meet at the training ground in ten, I told my warriors. We've got work to do. They arrived within minutes, forming a tight semi-circle around me. Familiar faces, familiar strengths. My pack. "What's up, boss?" one of them asked, stretching. I smiled faintly. "We'll be helping Alec's warriors train. Starting today." A chorus of cheers and mutters of excitement followed. "Finally," someone groaned. "I was getting bored. I swear I've memorized every crack in this packhouse." I laughed; the sound surprised even me. "Well, you're about to get a challenge, because training will be different given you'll have a hybrid training." Wide eyes stared back at me. "You are not joking, are you?" one of them asked, shock written all over his face. "No, I'm not." I expected them to be angry as I filled them in, but they weren't. The shock in their faces soon turned into excitement. "This will be interesting." Miles, a warlock and one of my best warriors, said with a smirk. "I've always wondered what it would be like going head-to-head with one without worrying about being killed." I chuckled, feeling proud of my warriors. "Well, you are about to find out." I gave them a few instructions as we made our way to the field. But the second we stepped onto the training ground, I stopped in my tracks. There, in the center of the field, was Alec. And Aspen. He held her like she was the most precious thing in the world. His hand rested on her small back. Her tiny hands were cupped around his face as she grinned up at him like he was her entire universe. And when he kissed her forehead, I felt my heart splinter. He looked... full. Content. Complete. And I hated how much that made me. They noticed then. Aspen turned, her face lighting up. "There she is!" she screamed, pointing at me. "I found him! I told you I'd find him, Mommyy!" My legs felt like they were made of lead. She ran over and wrapped her arms around my legs, babbling about how she knew Alec was somewhere nearby and that she was right. That she used her nose. She had told me before I left for my run that she dreamed of him and that she could find him by smell. Honestly didn't take her seriously, but maybe I should have. I forced my legs to move, telling my warriors to go warm up. Their faces awe as they watched were filled with awe as Brian, but my focus wasn't on the excitement in their faces. My feet led toward Alec, Micah, and Jason. I stopped beside them, heart still racing. "You okay?" Alec asked quietly, his voice close to my ear. I nodded, forcing a smile toward Aspen. "Yeah. Just tired." But it was a lie. Because inside, I was crumbling. King's words still echoed in my chest, and the sight of Alec and Aspen had ripped something open in me. No matter how much I tried to fight it, deny it, bury it... I craved this. I craved him. I craved a family of my own. Even if I wasn't ready to admit it out loud.

Chapter 238

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