Page 113 of Hero of Havoc

“I know she’ll be okay because, as scary as it sounds, she returns from death. But this isn’t… this isn't quite that. It's more Sax I'm worried about,” I admit, and he nods.

“He's always been your biggest vulnerability,” he murmurs, making my eyebrows furrow as I glance at him.

“What does that mean?” I blurt defensively, and all he does is offer me a warm smile, which does nothing to ease the chill in my veins.

“Nothing bad. It just means your fear for him has always extended beyond yourself.”

I shake my head. “I’m selfish,” I mutter, and he scoffs. “Especially in comparison to Sax,” I add, pleading my case, and an all-out chuckle vibrates from his chest.

“If that's what you want to tell yourself, sure. But I remember the days even you don’t.” I sense his eyes drilling into the side of my face, making it impossible to ignore him. The second my gaze latches on to his, he exhales. “You're not selfish. You just don't know how to let anybody in because your fear drives everything you do. It always has.”

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I grumble.

“I can give you an example,” he offers as we blindly turn down another corridor. He doesn't wait for an answer and clears his throat. “You were about three or four,” he starts, running his hand over his beard. “You were outside, playing in the yard, and I was watching you from the patio area. You and Sax were being all playful and silly together.” His eyes take on a soft glaze, as if he’s recalling the moment with love and pride. “I could hear him trying to encourage you to climb the big oak tree at the bottom of the yard, followed by all of your reasons why not to do that. But your brother didn't listen, and when he got himself stuck in that tree, you went right after him.”

My chest tightens. “Why didn't you just stop us from going up the tree?” I ask, and he grins.

“Lessons don't come from being told the answers; they come from experiencing them for yourself.”

“I don't know if I like the sound of that,” I admit, and he rolls his eyes.

“The reality is, when you were both too scared to get down, you took full responsibility and ensured I took Sax down first in fear of him getting hurt. I'm pretty sure that's how I've watched you manage the rest of your life since,” he declares, and I gulp, not recalling the moment, but the sentiment remains the same. “What I need you to start learning, Baron, is that responsibility doesn't fall completely on your shoulders. Not just for your brother, but for everybody around you, especially Ivy. She has three other mates; it’s not all your responsibility, and it shouldn’t be.”

“I’m just supposed to trust her with them?” I clarify, and he smiles.

“I used to feel like that when it came to Finnick too, but the way I watch your father with your mother warms a piece of my soul I didn't know needed activating. And watching your father with the girls and me with you guys, it’s all more than I could ever dream of. Sure, Sax doesn't hate me as much as you do, or⁠—”

“I don't hate you,” I interject, and he cocks a brow.

“Sure, you don’t,” he snorts. “But the reality is, we're a family, we're one, and we're here for each other, which means we're here for you too. All of us.”

His words take weight in my chest, and all I can do is gape at him in disbelief as we come to a stop with familiar figures filling the hallway that we left behind.

I almost want to take another lap with him, especially as my father cocks a brow at us, watching our slow approach, but before he can question us, the door to my left opens and my mother walks out with a beaming smile on her face.

“Our girl is perfect,” she declares, placing her fingers together as she pins her hands against her chest, and the narrow space erupts with excitement.

“Can we see her?” Aster asks as Hugo follows Greta out of the room.

“You can see her in a moment,” he offers, a kind smile on his face as he addresses my sister before his gaze darts to Sax, who stands nervously in the doorway of the family room. “But first, she wants to see her… what does she call them, Greta?”

“Hated mates,” my mother declares gleefully, and I roll my eyes at the term she uses as my father pats me on the back.

I’m halfway to the door when I realize I just thought of Garside as my father.

My eyes cut to his across the corridor to find him already smiling at me.

My chest warms until Sax takes his first step across the hall, nerves thrumming through him.

Instinct tells me to step back, guide him into the room, and baby him, but my father's right, even without saying it. My brother's consequences aren't mine to face, but I can be here to support him through all of it.

With a new air of determination in my stride, I step into the room to find Ivy propped up in bed, a gentle smile on her lips as she looks at each of us.

“Archer Bowen, you better apologize right now,” she snaps, and the Fire Protector pauses, hands raised in the air in disbelief.

“What the fuck did I do?”

“Do you think you were quiet? I heard you out there. You… you… ass! Say sorry to Sax right now!”