“Hey, Golden,” she said, her smile lifting her sad eyes. She did a doubletake when she noticed the rest of us in the doorway. “Oh, you’re all here. Come and eat some of these sweets. I’ve made triple chocolate muffins and brownies, plus Nutella-stuffed cookies. Let me know how they are.”
That was the longest sentence she’s said in days, and as Hunter pushed forward, I was right behind him. Our entitled alpha didn’t hesitate to sweep both Emme and Kellan up in his arms, dragging even our brother’s feet from the floor.
Hunter tucked his head into Emme’s neck and breathed deeply until the tension that had been shaking his muscles finally eased. Kellan didn’t struggle in the embrace either, just accepting the hug without question.
Glancing over my shoulder, I clocked Slade hesitating in the doorway. The dragon was distancing himself from all of us, and though he hadn’t said anything, I knew he blamed himself for the dragon—who wore his fucking face—forcibly bonding Emme. Along with the fact that he hadn’t killed Fletcher when he had the opportunity.
“It’s not your fault,” I said bluntly as he backed away. “Don’t hurt her by walking away now. Go in there and eat those fucking treats and get addicted like the rest of us. You can return to your torture sessions after we reassure our mate.”
Even for one of his pack, it was a risk to talk to Slade in such a way.
But I was putting Emme first these days, even if it got my ass kicked.
To my surprise, Slade strolled into the kitchen, kicked out one of the kitchen stools to sit, and grabbed a muffin. I was a few steps behind, and by the time I sat and snagged my own muffin, Hunter had released them from his hug.
Emme looked dazed, her cheeks flushed in a ghostly semblance of her normal rosy glow. Her dazed stare moved about the room until she noticed the muffin in my hand, which resulted in a pleased smile tilting up her lips.
She pushed toward me, still avoiding my direct gaze as she’d done ever since our little blowout in Texas. “I know I’ve been a bit out of it the last few days,” she murmured softly, as she reached out and started sliding cookies onto cooling racks. “I was working throughwhat happened, and I’m sorry I shut you all out, but now that we’re together I think it’s time I told you everything.”
I froze with the muffin halfway to my mouth, and I wasn’t the only one waiting with bated breath.
“I’ve wanted to tell you all for ages what happened in the past, and what caused me to run from you in the first place. Weirdly, though, if I had told you this before I was taken, the story wouldn’t be complete. I got more information fromFletcher the fuckhead.”
Kellan and Hunter pressed in on either side of her, running their hands up and down her spine in a comforting manner.
“We did hear a little of this story from the Rogers pack,” Hunter told her, and she blinked at him, showing clear surprise. Kellan had filled me in on what Donnie revealed, but I was more interested in hearing it from Emme. As was Hunter when he added, “But we’d rather hear it from you. Whatever you want to tell us.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed roughly, and then she nodded. “Yeah, that’s probably for the best. That pack wouldn’t give the truth, just the parts that worked for them.” She released another deep breath and continued. “As you know, my mother wasn’t exactly the nicest shifter in existence. I’ve told you that we moved around a lot until I turned about four, which was when we went to live with the Rogers pack.”
Despite how delicious her baked goods were, the muffin ended up as crumbs in my hands. I already knew that hearing of her abuse and neglect would be a trigger for me, but I was determined not to make any of this about me. For once in my fucking life, I wouldn’t let the trauma win.
CHAPTER 18
EMME
In the week since we’d returned home I’d fallen apart.
The moment I stepped into the entrance, and breathed in the comforting scent and vibe ofhome, my body and mind fell headfirst into bouts of suffering. The first couple of days were plagued with nightmares, none of which I remembered upon waking, but I was always left with a sense of loss as tears rained down my cheeks.
Kellan and Hunter were the best comfort through the night, and I’d have lost my mind without them. On the days I couldn’t drag myself from bed, Kellan sat by my side and read to me, the same novel Finley had read to him when he was dying. My golden boy’s voice wasn’t as deep and rumbly as the bear’s, but it was soothing and lyrical, weaving a tale of romance, betrayal, lust, and intrigue.
He even got a few laughs out of me, especially when he gave everyone their own “voice.” It was all healing to my soul, until eventually I found the will to get my ass out of bed. After showering, washing my hair, and shaving half my body, I felt like a functioning shifter. Hunter ushered me downstairs in the hopes I would eat, and after I satisfied our entitled alpha’s demands, I’d found myself helping Florence with her baking.
Then I’d started baking myself.
Using recipes from my time working in restaurants, I soon had cookies, muffins, and tarts lining the benches. The alphas started handing them out to family on our street, to their staff in Reeves Technologies, and the enforcers guarding the compound. Even Cora and Warrick left with two huge baskets when they visited, though I hadn’t had the energy to do more than hug them and promise I’d catch up with them soon.
I just didn’t know what to say to anyone.
I didn’t know how to explain that while I was furious and broken over Talon’s actions, I also didn’t completely blame him. There was this annoying sliver of hope lingering in my essence.
I hated Fletcher Davenport with my entire soul, but my feelings toward Talon were more… complicated. He was here in the house somewhere, and I wanted to see him, but I was still too much of a mess to deal with the forced bond.
At least I’d finally found the mental fortitude to reveal the truth to my pack, even if they appeared to already know some of it. “It wasn’t obvious at first,” I continued, wishing I had more cookies to place on cooling racks to keep my hands busy. “The way they abused her. Or maybe I was too young to notice. But as I got older, there was no way to hide it.”
None of them moved a muscle, as if they were afraid any interruption would stop meagainfrom revealing my past. Little did they know that an asteroid could be heading for our house and I’d stand here until they knew the full truth.
“The bruises were always there, along with healing cuts and marks. Over the years her spirit was diminished, which ended up being a positive for me, as she lost her will to torture me in her spare time.
