Where The Ice Gives Way Chapter 157

**Charlotte**

Emily keeps both hands wrapped around her mug long after the hot chocolate is gone. I stand near the kitchenette and run the tap until steam starts curling from the sink.

“Hot water works,” I say, and Emily looks up quickly. I give her a small smile. “A hot shower might make you feel a little more yourself again. I turn the tap off and dry my hands on a towel. Her mouth presses together, and for a second, she looks like she might cry again. I cross the small room and sit beside her on the edge of the bed, leaving a little space between us. “I’m just making sure.”

Emily glances toward the window, her fingers tightening on the mug.

“Is he still outside?” she asks quietly.

I don’t pretend I don’t know who she means. “Yeah. Theo is one of the good ones. He’ll give you space, but I doubt he’s going to go far.”

“Why… Why wouldn’t he just leave altogether? Or tell me to leave?”

Her shoulders draw in, and I look over the sharp line of her cheek and the dark circles under her eyes. From what she just told me, this girl has had every choice ripped away from her by people who should have protected her.

“Because he’s not stupid enough to throw away a gift from the Goddess,” I say while reaching over to squeeze her hand. I wish I could give her something better than that. Something that makes the bond feel less terrifying after the first one broke her life apart. But the truth is, sometimes you can’t talk someone through their problems; sometimes, you have to let them live through it.

I take her mug and set it on the little table beside the bed. “Do you need anything before I go?”

Her eyes widen. “You’re leaving?”

“Only to the house,” I say quickly. “I’ll come and see you before school in the morning.”

“You get to go to school?”

I smile a little. “Apparently, I’m still expected to attend.”

I wait for her to tell me if there’s anything more I can do, but she only says, “I don’t need anything. You’ve done so much already. Thank you.”

The thank-you comes out rough, and I reach over and squeeze her hand. “You’re here. You’re safe. If you need anything, call out. Someone will hear you.”

I stand and make sure the heater is set, the bathroom light works, and the front door locks from the inside and outside. I check the little basket on the bench again, even though there is nothing else to check. When I reach the door, Emily’s voice stops me. “Charlotte?” I turn. “Will it always feel like this?”

I hold the door handle and breathe in slowly. “I don’t know,” I say. “But I don’t think it will always feel this big.” Her eyes fill with tears again, but she nods, and I step outside and close the door quietly behind me.

Blake is waiting a few steps away with Gareth, both of them turning as soon as I come out. Blake’s eyes move over me as I walk straight into him. His arms come around me before I even finish the step. “Tired?” he asks against my hair.

I nod into his chest, and Gareth’s gaze moves to the cabin. “How is she?”

“She’s scared and hurt”, I say. “But she’s warm and safe.”

Gareth hums as Theo steps out from near the trees. He stops several feet away from us, hands in his pockets, eyes going to the window before dropping again. I ease back from Blake and walk to him. Poor Theo looks like he hasn’t taken a full breath since Emily saw him. “She’s okay,” I say softly. “Or she will be,” I add. “It’s going to take time.”

He nods, his jaw tight. “Thank you for being there with her,” he says, and I reach out and squeeze his arm. Then he turns to Gareth. “I’m going to stay on patrol tonight.”

Blake steps beside me, his hand settling low on my back. “Come on, pretty girl. Bed.” He keeps me tucked against his side as we walk back across the yard and into the house. Blake squeezes my waist gently and leads me upstairs to his room. I change into sleep shorts and take off the hoodie, then crawl into bed with a sigh that makes Blake smile. He climbs in beside me and pulls me against him. His hand moves slowly up and down my back.

“Dad got a call tonight.” He whispers, and I hum in response, waiting. “An Alpha from another pack who’s been holding rogues asked Dad to bring you to their pack.”

I sit up a little, putting my hands on his chest. “Why would we go there?”

“He thinks transporting that many rogues is dangerous,” he says carefully. “But I don’t like that idea.”

“They might need me,” I whisper.

Blake closes his eyes for a second, and when he opens them, the pain in his face makes my chest hurt. “I know.” He pulls me back onto his chest, his hands rubbing circles on my back. “There’s nothing to stress about tonight,” he says. “I just wanted to let you know.”

I breathe slowly, trying not to let that information get to me. Blake watches me for a moment, then sighs. “I just wish your biggest problem in life was the English test we have tomorrow.”

My whole body freezes, and I turn my head to stare at him.

“What?” His mouth twitches, and I sit up fully. “Blake.” I scold him, but he presses his lips together, trying not to laugh.

“No.” I point at him. “No, don’t you smile. What English test?”

“The one tomorrow.”

I stare at him in horror, and he laughs then. I groan and fall back onto the pillow. “I’ve been busy bringing rogues back from the brink of madness, Blake. I cannot be expected to remember an English test.”

He leans over me, still smiling. “I’ll help you study in the morning.”

“Will you also help me cheat?”

“No.”

“Terrible mate.”

He kisses my forehead. “Responsible mate,”

I grumble, but I curl into him when he lies back down, and his arms come around me.