Where The Ice Gives Way Chapter 22

**Blake**

Charlotte’s eyes flick to me, and there is a flash of something like fear… or shame. Or just the instinct to shrink away from men when they get loud, even when they’re not yelling. “It’s nothing,” she says quickly. “It’s really nothing.” Charlie’s shoulders hunch like he’s trying to cover her with his body. He looks up at me, jaw tight, and I can see the guilt eating straight through him. “I wasn’t home,” he mutters, like that’s the only thing he can think about. Like he’s rewinding the night in his head and trying to find the moment he should have made a different choice. Charlotte shakes her head. “Charlie. Stop. It’s not your fault.” But it is… Not because he caused it, but because he left her alone with the person who did. The pieces line up fast. The late shifts. The lack of food. The way Charlie flinches at the mention of home. The way she lies is like it’s second nature. I keep my voice level, but it takes effort. “We’re not doing this out here.” I glance toward the nearest classroom. The door is open, and I know Mr Vance is inside. I can sense his wolf from here. I nod to Charlie, who helps Charlotte up, and they both follow me inside. “Mr Vance,” I say. He looks up, eyes flicking over my face, then to Charlotte standing in the doorway with her bruised cheek and swollen eye, then to Charlie’s expression. His gaze hardens. “Out,” I say, bluntly. He doesn’t question it or argue. He nods once, grabs his roll book, and heads for the door. “I’ll exempt you from your class,” he says quietly as he passes. “Lock the door behind you.” I do. The click of the lock is loud in the empty room.

Charlotte stands near the front row of desks like she doesn’t know what to do with her body. Charlie stays close to her, hand hovering near her elbow. Theo leans against another desk near the door, jaw set like he’s ready to rip apart whatever walks in. I keep my gaze on Charlotte’s face as I approach her. The bruise is worse up close. “Sit,” I say. Charlotte opens her mouth like she’s about to argue, then closes it and drops into a chair. Charlie sits beside her instantly, turning his body toward her like a shield. I crouch in front of them, keeping my voice low. “Charlotte,” I say. “Tell me what happened, please.” Her lips press together. “I told you. It was nothing.” Charlie makes a small sound in his throat, like he wants to deny it, but he can’t. Theo’s voice cuts in, flat. “That’s not a ‘nothing’ bruise.” Charlotte’s eyes flash hot at him. “I don’t need a group of strangers deciding what my face looks like.” The words slip out of her defensively. My hands curl at my sides as I force myself to breathe slowly and calm Lex. “Was it your dad?” I ask quietly. Charlotte’s gaze drops to her lap so fast it answers for her, and Charlie’s shoulders sag. He looks like someone just punched him in the gut. “Lotty…” She shakes her head once, not looking up. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine,” I say, and Lex surges so hard my teeth ache. Charlotte finally looks at me. Her green eyes are glassy with unshed tears. “You don’t know anything,” she whispers. I feel Theo’s stare from across the room. I feel Charlie’s panic. I feel Lex’s rage. I open the link before I do something stupid. *Dad.* His response is immediate. *What’s wrong?*

*She’s hurt,* I send back—*my mate. Charlotte has a black eye. It’s bad. Lex is going to lose it.* Dad’s voice comes back like iron. *Bring them home. Both of them. Now.* I swallow hard. *I’m scared. If I push too hard, they’ll push me out.* I send back. Dad’s reply is steady as ever. *Then you give them a reason not to. You want trust, you give safety. Bring them home. We’ll handle the rest.* The link closes, and I sit back on my heels, staring at Charlotte like she is the only thing in the world. She’s trying to shrug it off, to make herself small. She’s trying to carry it like it’s normal, and I can’t stand it. I stand and keep my voice calm, even though the anger is shaking under my skin. “We’re going back to my house.” Charlotte’s head snaps up. “What? No. I don’t want anyone seeing me like this.”

“That’s all the more reason you shouldn’t be at school,” I say. Charlie shifts in his chair, staring up at me. “We can handle it,” he says quickly. “It’s my sister. She’s my responsibility.” The words are hard, but his eyes aren’t… His eyes are wrecked. I can only assume this is something they’ve dealt with this alone for way too long. I take a breath and soften my voice, even though it feels like trying to soften a knife. “You don’t have to be alone,” I tell him. “Either of you. Let us help. Please.”

Theo nods once. “Yeah,” he adds, then frowns like he’s searching for the right words. “Consider it… an olive branch.” Charlotte lets out a small, broken laugh that surprises even her. Theo’s mouth quirks. “I don’t actually know what an olive branch is, but Mum says it when Dad’s mad, so it seemed relevant.” Charlotte’s laugh turns into a sniffle, and her eyes flick to Charlie. “I don’t want people judging you because of my face,” she whispers. Charlie scoffs at her. “I couldn’t give two shits what anyone thinks. Anyone but you.” He reaches out and takes her hand carefully as he leans closer, voice low. “Do you want to go to Blake’s house for a bit?” Charlotte hesitates. Her gaze slides to me, wary and tired and far too young to have learned how to take a hit and keep breathing. She asks very quietly with those big green eyes locked on mine, “Are you sure that’s okay with your parents?” It’s so polite and careful. She’s trying to make sure she isn’t a burden, even with half her face bruised. I nod once and swallow hard, hoping my voice doesn’t crack. “My mum is going to love you.” Her eyes widen slightly. “And Dad would probably tear down half the town to protect you,” I add, because it’s true. Then I pause because Lex is pushing and my chest is tight. I’m done pretending this isn’t personal. “And,” I say, voice lower now, “I would really like it if you came with me.” Charlotte stares at me like she’s trying to decide whether those words are safe, and Charlie’s hand tightens around hers. I hold my ground. I’m not letting her walk back into that house. Not today. Not ever again if I can help it. She might have been Charlie’s responsibility up until this point, but I’m not letting them be alone in this any longer.