***POV:Amara***We set our bags out on the porch and Cole and Julian took them down to the boat for loading. Cole’s parents had helped me gather some seeds and small plants to take back to the colony to help diversify our crops, and those are set on the dock ready to go. It will be a cramped ride back to my boat, just hoping it is still there. We will know within a few hours of setting off from here.I have mostly kept my distance from Cole the last few days, trying to process everything, but I know that I am running hot and cold on him, and it isn’t fair. After speaking with Imogen, I am as torn as ever. I’m walking by the water’s edge for a bit. We are supposed to be leaving in a couple of hours, and I want to clear my head as much as possible before being trapped on a boat with him potentially all day, being close to him, smelling him, hearing his intoxicating voice.Maybe I should speak with him and clear the air a bit before we go. The arrival at the colony is already going to be
***POV:Cole***All loaded up, we say our goodbyes to my parents. I watch as Amara hugs them, tears in her eyes and thanks them for everything. She truly has become a part of this family these past few months, and I can see the pain in my parents’ faces as they say goodbye to her. She promises she will see them again, and they nod, and say that you never know, they may come to the colony one day too. The goodbye between my parents and Lauryn and Julian is different. My parents knew there was a good chance the kids would be reunited with their parents and wouldn’t be back, the kids had no clue and thought this was nothing more than an adventure.Lauryn and Julian said goodbye to the younger kids, who were deeply jealous not to be going on this trip. We got on the boat, waved goodbye and off we went. I followed the river out towards the marina that Amara had described. She had pointed out the area on a map and knowing that she had a solid head on her shoulders for directions, I trusted t
***POV:Violet***The mind-link began and I could not believe what I was hearing. Amara is back! Tears streamed down my face, tears of joy and relief to have my best friend back finally. I had spent so much time missing her, being worried about her, and being angry about everything that had driven her away. I asked her if she had reached out to her parents yet and she said she had. As I raced down to the refugee center to meet her, her parents were running a little way ahead of me.We get down to the dock and I see the two boats coming in. I can make her out and the vice grip on my heart loosened. It really was her and she really is here. Then I take notice of the man standing next to her with his hand on the small of her back. What a hottie, and seemingly comfortable with my girl.I try to mind-link her again to ask, but I am kept out by her being in a link with someone else already. I guess my curiosity will have to wait. She docks and runs towards her parents and I. They embrace the
***POV: Amara***It has been a flurry of activity since we got here. It did my heart good to see the absolute joy and disbelief on Lauryn and Julian’s faces when they saw their parents. I had just dismissed the guys taking care of the boats, and I was ready to follow my people home. I felt like I needed another shower already. As I was about to turn away from the dock and head towards the group, I felt a presence behind me. I turn around, and Trent is there staring at me, wild eyed.He moves towards me, arms open, and I side step him. “What are you doing?” I demand through clenched teeth. “Don’t you dare touch me.”“But baby, I have missed you so much. Look at you, you are gorgeous. I have been so worried about you and our baby.” He says as he looks down towards my stomach, confusion settling in on his face. He walks towards me again and sniffs me. “Amara, what did you do?”I stare at him, not knowing what to respond to first. The fury simmering within me is making it hard to think. “
***POV:Trent***I am so pissed I can’t see straight. My woman comes back to me, and yet she doesn’t want to be with me. What am I supposed to do with this. Heather has marked me and is pregnant with my rightful heir now, but I can’t even stomach looking at her for too long. The only one I want is Amara. And now she shows back up here, with this human plaything in tow, who cares face off with me like he even stands a chance. I could rip him apart like a rag doll.I skulk back to the packhouse, infuriated. I don’t even want to go back there right now and deal with alpha father. He never supported Amara and I, and to him, there is no loss that I should even acknowledge. It’s not enough that I lost her, but our baby is gone too. I guess some small part of me feels responsible for that, seeing as she ran away and into trouble because of what she saw. Damn her, and her crappy timing. I just want her back, but even if Heather hadn’t marked me, I don’t know that it would be possible for me to
***POV: Cole***I am pacing back and forth in front of Amara’s room. Another pack member had pointed it out to me when I asked where I could find her. I don’t even know what I am going to say or do, I just know that I need to try. Whatever this pull is, whatever these feelings are, I need to give in to them and try. Now I just have to convince her of the same.Violet walks up on me, I don’t know how long she’s been watching me, but she has an amused smile on her face.“Uh, Cole right?” she asks, smirking.“Yes, that’s right.”“You are about to wear holes on the floor there bud. Anything I can help you with?”“I am looking for Amara.”“Looking for her in this square of the hallway?” She teases.I look at her, and burst out laughing. “This is ridiculous.” I shake my head at myself, I am acting like a scared teenage boy, but this is what this girl does to me. She’s got me all tied up in knots.“Wanna talk about it?” She smiles encouragingly.“Has Amara said anything to you?” I ask her, w
***POV:Amara***It felt so good to let the cool water envelop my body. While I loved the ocean and other natural bodies of water, swimming in a pool has always given me a sense of safety that allows me to let go and completely relax. I float on my back, slowly moving my arms to tread water lightly, letting the tension ease out of my body. I have been wound up so tight for so long with everything going on, and it felt so good to be home.I had been so nervous about coming back and how my parents would feel. Would they be angry with me? Sad? Disappointed? I had worried about how the pack would feel, maybe thinking I had deserted them. In the end, everyone welcomed me back with open arms, and enough of the real story had gotten around that everyone seemed to understand. The only negative effect of the whole ordeal was the deepening of the chasm between our pack and Trent’s. It’s not what I wanted, but it was sort of inevitable at this point.I had made some time to speak with Violet and
***POV:Cole***Taking a deep breath, I step out of my shorts. I watch her carefully, studying her reaction, trying to gauge how far to push this. Standing here in front of her, heart in my mouth, wearing nothing but my boxer briefs. Amara looks up at me expectantly, licks her lip subconsciously, making me smile. I walk to the edge of the water, crouch down and slide in, no need to bare it all if she isn’t doing the same.We stare each other down, and move around the pool a bit, until I realize we are basically circling each other. I let out a loud laugh and shake my head.“What are we doing gorgeous? I’m done playing games. I want you, plain and simple.”She bites her lip again, her plump full perfect lip. I can see the wheels turning in her head.“Amara, all I am asking is that you –“ She moved so quick I didn’t even know what was happening. She puts her finger to my lips.“No more talk.” She drops her hand from my face, her honey-colored eyes sparkling and fixated on me. She puts he