Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 69 - Shambles

Jadea

Storming toward the living room, my mind and heart were in utter shambles.

How could I have been so stupid to trust in him so blindly? He hurt us in the most intimate of ways... Betrayed us...

Bitterness tore through us. Acid burned the back of my throat as I fought the tears to stay at bay. My stomach was rioting. My mind reeling, wondering if Silas had been right all along about Adam.

Regardless, the Jadea before—the one Adam knew—had been weak and senseless. She'd been wrong about Adam. He was just like the others...

The moment I set foot in the living room, I saw everyone was awake. Some were sitting awkwardly. Some standing nervously. Others paced. They'd felt the rift. They knew something big happened.

By Garret's knowing look, he knew everything. He'd been privy to our thoughts.

And Caden ...

The moment my gaze landed on him, the dam inside broke. With short, turbulent breaths, lips pursed, and tears glistening from the corners of my eyes, I was about to fall into him when there was a sharp knock on the door.

Biting my lip to keep the frustration from escaping my chest, I quickly scrubbed my face, and schooling my features, I opened the door to find Constance and Gabriel. Her smile hit me like a freight train, running my already emotional ass over. "Jadea," she greeted brightly, though her mood instantly sobered when she caught onto the turbulent emotions leaking from within the cabin. "What happened?"

"A disagreement," I murmured, not wanting to get into specifics right now. I wasn't about airing out my dirty laundry.

She contemplated my answer for a moment before accepting it. "May we come in?"

"It's your cabin. You don't need my permission," I mumbled, stepping aside, realizing too late how insensitive my words were.

She didn't seem to notice and brushed on in, her sunshine clashing with the doom and gloom within. As she and her mate settled onto the couch, Adam's shadow darkened the hallway.

"We have a good idea of who the mole is," she dove right on in, not waiting for an invitation to speak. "I want to prove my theory by moving you to a different location and then letting this information slip into their laps. And wait and see what happens. If nothing, then I'll move onto another possibility."

"I'm sorry," I blurted out, not sure why. Maybe it was the unease I felt within myself after what happened with Adam...

"For what?" she interrupted. "For bringing to my attention that there's corruption within my ranks? That is nothing to apologize for," she assured me. "Now, when we get you moved, you can only come and go by teleportation. And even then, I would rather you use it sparingly. Aggie will be there. Your pack. And, I've also asked Lance to accompany you as well for added security. I have this feeling when Keb strikes again—"

"He's going to hit with everything he's got," I groused.

"Yes." She confirmed seriously.

Because I was a liability. I knew too much... If only I could remember everything. "When?"

"I would prefer if you were moved no later than this evening."

Nodding, I said, "Okay."

"Aggie's got his orders. I do not plan to see you again until after. But, if you need me for anything--"

"Thank you, Constance," I said, standing up to hug her and run through the motions as she wrapped up this little visit. Once they were gone, I turned tiredly to Garret. "The house needs to be re-set. Everything packed. Please line everyone out. I will see to my room and belongings. Caden?" I asked, turning to him.

"Yes kitten?"

"Will you pack and clean the scene room?" There wasn't a ton to do in there. We made sure to clean up after ourselves after each scene. Regardless, it was still something my pack shouldn't have to be exposed to.

"On it," he declared.

After Garret barked out orders and everyone dispersed, I turned to Adam. He stepped deeper into the room, his gaze guarded. Shoulders back. Ready to take whatever I said with as much grace as he could. "I need some time. A couple of days apart to ... Settle and come to terms with what has transpired." I needed a couple of days to calm down and decide how I wanted our relationship to continue.

"I'm not—"

"I don't care what you are comfortable with!" I snapped. "You didn't take the time to care..." I bit off the rest of the sentence, knowing it would cut deep. Taking a few, calming breaths, I continued, "Please pack your things. And once you are ready, I'll have Jupiter teleport you to Ty's—"

"No—"

"This is non-negot—"

"Bull-s**t—" he ground through gritted teeth, stepping forward menacingly.

My growl was so severe a reprimand, it made him wince, causing him to stumble with his words. "We both have some s**t to handle," I continued on severely. "You need to work with your wolf. You both have some lasting trauma to work through. While I ..." My voice trailed off as I disassociated for a moment. Licking my lips and shifting on my feet, I shook myself. Forcing myself to continue, "Find some way to forgive you. After two days have passed, I will send someone to retrieve you."

"I don't want to be so far away from you. Not when Keb is going to be given your exact location." There was a deep growl within his chest. He was going to fight me on this. He hated not being able to protect me, especially after the coerced promise he'd forced onto me.

They were the consequences of his actions.

"I will tell you where we are," I compromised.

"That is not good enough!" he snarled, stepping so close I could feel his warmth. He glared down into my gaze, daring me to continue denying him this.

"Then maybe you need to think about that the next time you decide to use my weakness for your gain," I whispered dangerously from between clenched teeth, my gaze burning into his. "I will go alpha on you if I must, Adam. It is your call."

I could tell he wanted to fight, but knew he wouldn't win in a fair fight against me. Plus, it would only drive the wedge further between us.

"As you wish," he relented, leaning so close we were nearly nose to nose.

"Good boy," I hissed, my gaze flaring in a silent challenge.

With a tick to his jaw, he held my gaze for a moment longer before storming off to our room to pack.

The moment he was out of sight, I felt the walls crack and crumble, hating how he'd hurt us. And hating myself more for ever allowing him the chance to do so.