Chapter 0545 “To think I brought you your dress even.” Emmy shook her head at me.


    “It’s really anyone else’s turn to get hurt. I’m tired of being that person.” “Hey! I got hurt pretty badst


    time! I almost died!” Jasper raised his hands up in his defense.


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    “True.” I nodded. “I still saved your ass.” “Getting back to the topic at hand.” Colt sighed. “I haven''t


    heard back from the other alphas. They will all be here next weekend for the ball. So far, none of them


    have been attacked so other than being aware, I’m not sure what


    else we can do.” “I have to go to the shop tomorrow.” “I''ll swing by and check on you.” Colt offered.


    “I''ll be around as well. There are a few things I need to do.” Alec stood up and cracked his knuckles.


    “Isn’t Calvin suppose to start tomorrow?” Emmy asked.


    “Yeah. He passed his sses and is ready to start. I have a few people lined up that have multiple


    tattoos that are willing to let him work on them. I promised I would fix any fuck ups for no charge.” I said


    as I yawned.


    “Let’s get going.” Jasper looked at his watch. “We need to get up early as well.”


    Emmy sighed but wiggled out from the chair. “I''ll bring you lunch at the shop.” “Sounds good. Make it


    something hot.” “Will do.” Emmy reached out and squeezed my hand before she walked to the front


    door.


    “Feel better.” Jasper said as he was passed. “Thank you for saving Emmy.” “Anytime.” What was I


    going to do, let her die? As soon as they were out of the door, Colt came over and sat down on the


    edge of the chair. “Ice, you’re not okay.” It was a statement, not a question.


    “I''honestly don’t know why I went


    there. When I set fire to the packhouse, Ilet go of all the hatred and negative feelings. I haven''t even


    thought about that whole ordeal.” “It was a very real trauma. Suppression isn’t healing. You have to


    stop pushing your feelings down and work through them.” Colt put his hand on my boot.


    “Exactly how do you suppose I do that? Everyone is dead. There isn’t a reason I should still have any


    negative feelings and it isn’t like I am walking around reliving it. I’ve been going to work by myself. I''ve


    raised Adalynn and never once have I had a thought about it. I don’t feel anything.” “What do you feel?”


    Colt pushed.


    “Right now, cold.”


    Colt gave me a look that told me he wasn’t happy with my answer. “Come on, be serious. I''m worried


    about you.” “I don’t know what you want me to say. I don’t dream about it. Have I woken up crying or


    yelling out?” Looking at Alec.


    “No.” “All I can say is it was very simr. It was a near death experience and my mind just rted the


    two. I wasn’t sure what was going on around me and a trauma like that isn’t something someone get’s


    over. It’s something you learn to live with and I think I’ve adapted very well.” I looked at Alec for help.


    “Have I not been checking in more? I''ve been more open about my feelings. Hell, I even made you stay


    in


    the shower with me so I wasn’t alone.” “I’m just saying I’m worried about you. Seeing you thrash


    around on the hospital bed was a deja vu that I didn’t need to have. It affects us too when you almost


    die.” “I promise I will try to work on whatever is going on with me when I figure it out.” I wasn’t sure what


    he wanted me to say. I still didn’t believe I had a problem.


    Colt gave me a look but eventually gave up. “I''ll be bugging you about this until I''am satisfied you are


    mentally okay.” “You''re not mentally okay. When was thest time you got a full nights sleep?”


    Colt pointed a finger at me. “Don’t turn this around on me.” Finishing off my hot chocte, I looked at


    his expression. He was trying not to smile and remain serious. “Colt.


    I''m tired and ready to go to bed.” “Sis, you will never get rid of me.” This time, he did smile as he bend


    down and kissed my forehead. “Ill call you tomorrow.” He said to Alec and shook his hand.


    “Late, man. Drive safe.” Alec walked him to the door. They exchanged a few words that I couldn’t hear


    but I was too tired and cold to care. &? Iwas setting my cup down when Alec walked back. He didn’t


    say anything as he gently got into the chair. I had to move a little so we werefortable.


    “I feel like I have improved from the


    day you met me.” I.didn’t need to borate on what I was referring to. “You have.” [os That was it. You


    have? “Not going to say anything else?” I leaned away and looked at him. I was slightly hurt by this.


    “I think you have made amazing strides in dealing with your emotions.


    Honestly, you haven’t made me think once that you were still suffering from that trauma. I''m not going


    to lie and I wasn''t waiting for it toe crashing down but maybe your subconscious is telling you that


    it’s something you still carry with you.” Alec rested his head on his hand and looked at the fire. He was


    battling with his emotions. There was some confusion, anger, concern but mostly


    he was feeling hopeless. “You think I am suffering alone and not telling you?” Gm | “You wouldn’t be


    able to hide that from me.” Alec didn’t even look at me as he talked. He stared into the fire. “I would


    know if you were suffering. No, I just can’t get the images of you. More than onces I have sat beside


    you ina hosptial bed. You were on the brink of dying, covered in blood and bruises. I can’t do that


    again. I need you here.


    Adalynn needs you.” @? I''wasn’t sure what to say so I justid my head down and watched the fire.