Chapter 75

I lifted my head and looked him in the eye, “I want things to go back to normal. I miss you.”

His eyes were the coldest I’d ever seen. “Why now?”

Anger bubbled in me, “You’re trying to pin all of this on me. It’s not all my fault, Kaden. You’re to blame here as well. So, don’t go all cold and emotionless on me.”

His eyes narrowed, “So, what you’re implying is that it’s all my fault.” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement.

"I didn’t imply that, Kaden. Both of us are to blame but I take responsibility for my actions. You on the other hand, Kaden, you don’t. You pawn them off on other people. You never take responsibility.

I’m here right now because I want to make things better. Something you were too much of a coward to do, you bastard.”

I felt my eyes turning black with anger. He pursed his lips and looked away, just as the drinks came.

She set the drinks down, “Are you ready to order?”

“Um, no. Sorry, can you give us a couple minutes?” I asked sweetly.

She nodded, “Sure. Take your time.”

She walked away and I saw Kaden’s eyes following her. I stared at him in wonder, wondering why the hell he was acting that way; like I didn't exist. He made me feel non-existent.

He made me feel like he never loved me in the first place.

“What?”

I flinched from the coldness in his tone and shook my head, “Nothing.” He nodded curtly and grabbed his drink.

“Kaden, what’s your problem?” I bit my lip.

“You.”

My heart broke immediately as I watched him. The fact that he said I was his problem didn't really bother me but the fact that he meant it did.

I couldn't bite back the tears that welled in my eyes this time around. I didn't give a damn that we were in a restaurant open to everybody, I let my tears flow.

"Alright." I whispered, wiping my tears with one sharp movement.

His jaw clenched tightly as his eyes roamed everywhere but me. I picked up my menu to hide my tears, even though he wasn’t looking at me; he wasn't even interested in seeing my face. I just wanted soup.

I set the menu down and saw that Kaden wasn’t in his seat anymore. I hadn't even heard him leave. I looked around and saw him walking to the bathrooms. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply through my nose, exhaling out my mouth.

He came back ten minutes later with an unhidden grin on his face, hair disheveled, pants zipper halfway down. I frowned as he sat down. Then, I saw the waitress come out of the same bathroom as Kaden; looking flustered with the same grin as Kaden.

My eyes slowly slid back to Kaden. He was looking at his menu, grin still intact.

I gulped hard and reached into the clutch thing Ali gave me. I pulled out his car keys and set them on the table beside him.

“Bye, Kaden.” I whispered as I stood up, fighting the tears.

He looked up at me, still grinning but his eyes were cold. He didn’t say anything so I walked away. I waited for him to call me back or at least say something but he didn't. I pushed the door open and let the tears fall.

Tonight was supposed to be fun. We were supposed to eat and get back together. We were supposed to go back home as a happy couple once again.

I started walking down the street. My feet were hurting so I took the heels off and held them in my hands. They were the least of my problems right now.

I couldn't even help how fast the tears were running down my face. Every single time I wiped off, a whole waterfall followed.

I passed an alley and walked into it, sliding down the wall until my butt hit the floor with a loud thud. I buried my face in my forearm and cried.

Was that it? Were we over? For real?

I asked for a little time to get over my abandonment and he moved on so fast? Did he ever really love me?

I stayed in that alley for God knows how long. The concept of time didn't exist while I was there until I heard dren call my name in my mind.

“What?” I croaked out slowly.

I felt high. I was high on heartbreak.

“Where are you? Kaden came back and you weren’t with him.” dren said worriedly.

“I lost him, Ben.” I started sobbing.

“Just tell me where you are. I’m coming.” He cooed.

“I-I don’t know. I’m in an alley.” I hiccupped.

“Damn it, Cora! Not again!” He growled. I could practically see him running his hand through his hair roughly.

“I’m sorry.” I whimpered.

He sighed, “It’s not your fault. Can you get out of the alley and tell me a street name?”

“Yeah.” I sniffed, standing up weakly. I walked out of the alley and down the first street I saw.

“Church Avenue.” I whispered.

“I’m on my way.” He said quickly before his presence disappeared from my mind.

Fifteen minutes later, the truck pulled up in front of me. dren jumped out and ran to me. He pulled me to his chest when he got closer to me.

“I was so scared.” He muffled into my shoulder, his hot breath massaging my sore shoulder.

I buried my head in his shoulder as well, “Let’s go.”

He nodded and pulled away, dragging me to the truck. He opened the door and I got in. He ran to the drivers side and got in as well. He took a quick glance at me before starting the car.

“What happened?” He asked quietly. dren had to be the most worried about me.

I shook my head, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He nodded and dropped it, staring straight ahead. We pulled into the driveway and I got out. dren and I walked up to the house in silence. I could tell he wanted to know what happened but didn’t want to pressure me into telling him.

He opened the door and let me go in first. Everybody surrounded us and gasped.

“What happened?” Ali whispered as she wiped my tears and smeared makeup.

“Nothing.” I shook my head and pushed past them. I walked out to the backyard and sat down in the grass, staring at the weirdly shaped stars.

I felt eyes on me and it was always creepy so I immediately turned my head in the direction of the eyes I felt. I was met with the annoyingly familiar pair of blue eyes staring at me from the window.

Kaden.

I quickly looked away and buried my head in my knees as the memories of tonight clouded my head. More tears fell down my face helplessly.

Tonight was supposed to be amazing. We were supposed to have fun and finish the mating process; not just because the deadline was approaching and we were going to die.

Kaden had stayed away from me enough and I wanted to get with him fully. I wanted to feel him inside me and let his beast take control of my every being. I wanted Kaden to make love to me and dominate my body.

Funny how the night turned out to be the complete opposite of that, isn't it?

I stood up and walked back into the house. Everyone was still in the living room. I walked away, not even looking at them.

Ben's POV

First of all, Cora was sad and it was all because of one person. It could only be one person.

Kaden.

I wondered what happened between them but whatever it was, he made Cora cry.

They left the house with her being hopeful and ready to forgive him after the fucking stunt he pulled and she came back crying. He really didn't deserve her.

I stood up and I felt everyone's eyes follow me. I stormed up the stairs and to Kaden’s room and threw his door open.

He looked up in shock, “What?”

“I’m done with your fucking bullshit! What’s wrong with you?! Is Cora not what you want anymore?! Do you want me to go get that blonde slut?!” I screamed, fueled by my anger.

He blinked in thought, “Sure.”

My anger got the best of me and I lunged at him, knocking us onto the floor. I threw punch after punch to his face. When someone pulled me off him, only then did I notice what I was actually doing.

I stared at Kaden’s limp and bloody body on the ground.

“Benjamin.” Stephen sighed as he shook his head.

“I-I didn’t mean too.” I whispered softly.

Monroe knelt down beside Kaden and shook his frail body, “Kaden. Wake up.”

Monroe ran his hand down his face and sighed, “Call an ambulance.”

“I’m sorry.” I gulped.

“It’s not your fault. It’s your job to protect Cora.” Ambrose smiled slightly.

“Job?” I asked.

“You guys are each other's protectors. You’re supposed to protect each other. That’s why you can feel her pain and she can feel yours.” Domino explained.

That explains this whole weird situation.

I frowned, “Okay.”

There was a knock down stairs and Denver ran out to get it. The paramedics came up with a stretcher and lifted Kaden onto it.

Guilt was eating me alive! My conscience was gnawing at me and eating me up from inside.

“Benny, it wasn’t your fault. You just lost your temper.” Ali smiled comfortingly.

I nodded, “I’m going to go find Cora.”

I kissed her forehead and walked out of the room and downstairs. I slipped on my shoes and walked out the door. The ambulance was already driving away.

Forty minutes. I had been searching for Cora for almost an hour. And she ended up being on the side of the house. Seriously, Bev?!

“Why was the ambulance here?” She asked as I plopped down beside her.

I hesitated, “…For Kaden.”

“Why?” She asked emotionlessly.

“He got beat up. Bad.” I said vaguely.

“By who?”

“—Me.” I said slowly

She nodded and brought her knees up to her chest, laying her cheek on them and looking away from me.

“What did he do?” My anger was coming back.

“I don’t want to talk about it, Ben.” She sighed hopelessly. I could hear the pain in her face and it only aggravated the anger in me.

“Okay.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her to my side.

She laid her head on my shoulder, “Why does he hate me? I-I didn’t mean to make him hate me. I just needed time.”

“I don’t know, Bev, I don't know.” I answered honestly.