Kat’s anger swirled around her like a tempest, cutting through the air with invisible shards that seemed to scratch at my skin. I reached out tentatively, trying to grasp onto the turbulent emotions, but they slipped through my fingers like sand. An unseen barrier erected itself between us, severing my connection to her feelings. Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and decided to approach this differently.
Instead of forcing it, I allowed each emotion to wash over me, observing without trying to control. Kat’s anger resumed its whirlwind, brushing against my hair and fingertips. As I delved deeper, beneath the anger I sensed a sharp sting of hurt. I chastised myself for causing her pain-leaving without a word, abandoning the phone she had given me on the bed. Kat had been my first true friend in ages, and I had repeatedly failed to trust her. Deeper still, unexpectedly, was an emotion I hadn’t anticipated: understanding. While her anger burned hot like fire, her understanding flowed cool and steady like the ocean, tempering the flames.
She halted a few feet in front of me, chest heaving with emotion. I could see each feeling flickering in her eyes, and I gritted my teeth against the wave of exhaustion that settled into my bones. Ethan and Kieran stepped back, silently allowing Kat to speak her mind. Her face matched her flaming hair in color, and her mouth opened and closed as words struggled to form.
“You-” she finally spluttered, incredulous eyes darting between me and the twins.
After shooting me one last emotion-laden look, Kat turned her attention to Ethan and Kieran. “You brought her back.”
“She chose to come back,” Ethan murmured, earning a grateful glance from me. “We would never force her.”
“So, you chose to come back?” Kat scoffed, hands on her hips in her typical no-nonsense stance. I recognized this look from the times she had defended me against bullies at Jessy’s behest. “That’s ironic, considering you chose to leave in the first place. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? I thought we were friends, Sophia. You could have trusted me.”
Kat’s anger softened into hurt, layered with underlying understanding. From those emotions, I knew Kat would forgive me eventually. She would make me work for it, but she understood why I had left. Even amidst her anger, she still cared for me. If I delved deeper, I might have found a hint of happiness-gladness that I had returned, that I had found my path with Ethan and Kieran. I wasn’t sure where this left our friendship, but I was determined not to give up.
“I wasn’t thinking clearly. I didn’t consider who I would hurt; I just needed to leave,” I admitted, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing against me. Even in her blazing anger, Kat’s concern for me was evident. “I know if I let myself explore her emotions deeper, I’d feel a sliver of happiness. She was glad I came home, found my way, and decided to stay with Ethan and Kieran. I had no idea what this meant for our friendship, but I wasn’t ready to give up yet.
“Everything was happening at once-Lauren, Darren, Jessy, then Sebastian showed up with the bombshell of my life. I didn’t believe him at first when he told me what I was. I had no idea you could help me, Kat.”
“I know, Sophia,” Kat sighed heavily. “I understand why you left-goddess, I do. But just because I understand doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt. Anything could have happened to you out there. You might think you don’t have people who care about you, but you do.”
“I was almost caught,” I confessed, ignoring the wary glances from Ethan and Kieran. I wanted Kat to know I trusted her, that I was ready to mend the bridge I had nearly destroyed. Trust didn’t come easily to me, but it was something worth working on. With no immediate family I could trust, I knew the family I had chosen was stronger than any based on blood.
“I trust Ethan and Kieran without question, and I want to do the same for you,” I continued earnestly. “If I hadn’t shifted for the first time, well, I wouldn’t be here now. Ethan and Kieran found me in time, but I learned my lesson. I let fear drive me away instead of trusting you three. It’s a mistake I won’t repeat.”
The happiness radiating from Ethan and Kieran washed away the sting of Kat’s anger. I could taste Kieran’s surprise, as if he still couldn’t believe I had returned. Ethan felt the same, an occasional rush of awe when he looked at me. Kat’s anger ebbed, leaving behind a dull ache in my head. Though her anger was fading, caution remained. She wanted to trust me again, but it wouldn’t be easy. I wasn’t sure how Ethan and Kieran managed to trust me, but I suspected the mate bond played a part.
At the mention of my near-capture, Kat’s expression hardened. A surge of curiosity and concern mingled with the understanding and flicker of happiness she felt.
“You were almost caught?” she demanded, turning to Ethan and Kieran. “Why wasn’t I told about this? Do you have any idea who did it or why?”
“We have one of them in custody,” Kieran explained, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “We planned to interrogate him tomorrow, but if you want to take charge-”
“Not helping,” I cut in sharply to Kieran, feeling my cheeks flush as he grinned slyly.
“I’m just saying, with that anger of yours, you might get some answers out of the guy,” Kieran chuckled, prompting Kat to scoff and roll her eyes. Despite Kieran’s attempt to lighten the mood, Kat stood her ground against not one but two Alphas. She didn’t flinch as she met Ethan and Kieran’s gaze.
“Maybe you should tell her, Sophia,” Ethan suggested calmly, his look of trust making my heart skip. “We’ll support whatever decision you make.”
His words gave me the space to decide what to share with Kat. I could easily mention a couple of masked men tried to kidnap me, but I knew I had to be honest to rebuild our friendship. Keeping secrets from her would only show I didn’t trust her. If I wanted to move forward, I had to commit fully.
“It’s a long story, one I’d rather not tell here,” I began cautiously, meeting Kat’s gaze with sincerity. “But if you’re interested, I’d be willing to explain everything.”
Kat seemed to grasp my sincerity, her guarded demeanor softening visibly.
“Alright,” she agreed with a sigh, her shoulders relaxing. “Come to my place tomorrow around noon. My parents are visiting my aunt, so we’ll have some privacy. And Sophia, if you don’t show up, I’ll come find you myself-Ethan and Kieran won’t stop me. Oh, and this is yours.”
She pressed something cold into my hand, and I glanced down to see the phone she had given me months ago, fully charged. I saw the reluctance in her eyes as she turned away, returning to her plans for the day. Kieran wrapped his arms around me, and Ethan kissed my forehead tenderly. In that moment, I realized something profound: Ethan, Kieran, and Kat were the first people in a long time who cared deeply about me. If I allowed it, they could become the family I had never had.