Caden’s POV
The laughter faded as the weight of our situation settled back in, quieter this time but still undeniable. The bond wasn’t just a hurdle—it was a storm, tearing through everything we’d built as brothers. But sitting here, with Ryder and Jaxon, I felt something I hadn’t in weeks: hope.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the guilt gnawing at me. Ryder might have accepted my apology, but the damage I’d caused wouldn’t disappear overnight. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, and stared at the beer in my hands.
“We need to talk about Amara,” I said, breaking the silence.
Ryder tensed, his jaw tightening again, but he nodded. “Go on.”
“I don’t know how to explain it,” I admitted, my voice quiet. “When I’m around her, it’s like… nothing else matters. She’s the only t
