I stand by my bed, watching mom as she pours the antidote down Ash’s throat. Ash’s brother, Fenris, stands on the other side. He mostly watches his sister, but looks at me every now and then. I’m shocked at how young he is; barely fifteen yet he’s already been through so much more than me. My mom smiles at me and puts the cap back on the potion bottle.

“I’ll be in the living room if you need me.” She says.

It seems like forever, but a few moments after my mom leaves the room Ash begins to stir, her expression changing from peaceful to one of pain.

“No…” She mutters, her breathing picking up. “No…Caleb!” She scream the name, shooting up as her eyes snap open.

Caleb? I push the through from my mind and step forward. “Ash, it’s okay. It’s Jayden. You’re in my room. My family and I got to the den and found you and Fenris. You’re both safe.” I tell her quickly.

She glances to Fenris then to me, calming her breathing. “Jayden.” She whispers and I can still see her shaking.

“Hey, glad to see the antidote worked.” I smile and sit on the bed beside her as she sits up.

“You shouldn’t have come, Jayden. I told you not to. This is exactly what he wants.” She looks to Fenris. “Why did you let them take us?”

Fenris shrugs and smiles slightly. “I was surrounded by vampires and Jayden sure as hell wasn’t going to let you go anytime soon. Besides, I decided that Lucas wouldn’t be dumb enough to attack a family of vampires.”

Ash sighs and shakes her head. I take her hand in mine and smile. “Hey, you’re safe. I won’t ever let this Lance guy or anyone else get close enough to hurt you again.”

Ash stiffens and stands, walking away from me to stare out the window. I look to Fenris and he looks like I just said something I shouldn’t have.

“Right…well, I’m going to go.” He mutters, disappearing out the door.

Now it’s just Ash and I alone in my room. Her back is still turned and she’s got her arms pulled close. She’s still shaking and I’m not sure if it’s because of the poison or something else. I step towards her and she turns to me.

“Don’t make that promise. I can’t…I can’t go through this again.” She whispers.

“Go through what again? Ash, I’m making that promise because I will never let anyone take you away from me again. I lo-“ I try to tell her but she interrupts.

“Stop! Please, I can’t…” She stops and takes a deep breath. “There was a boy. His name was Caleb.” Her voice shakes at the name. “We always told each other we’d be mates once we were old enough. I left him with Fenris when I went to find the council to save my brother and I. When Lance brought Caleb and Fenris to his den everything was okay at first. But I was Lance’s at this point and Caleb didn’t like the way he treated me. One night, he took me and Fenris and tried to escape. He promised me exactly what you are now…and now he’s dead. Lance killed him that night.”

I frown and reach for her, pulling her into a hug. “I’m so sorry for all that you’ve been through. But I’m not Caleb, and we’re not the same age ya’ll were. My entire family is willing to help protect you from them. They already love you. And if you didn’t already know, we Belles are fighters. You know our history, everyone does. How many people have come up against the Belles and survived? We fight and we protect what we love. Hell, if my family can destroy governments and stop wars, I’m sure a little band of Weres isn’t going to be a problem.”

Ash sighs and pulls away a bit, looking up at me. I smile as she searches my eyes and let myself fall into her green ones. “I’m not going to convince that I’m bad news am I?” She asks.

“No.” I chuckle, resting my forehead against hers. “I love you, Ash. And I’m not letting you out of this hug until you understand that.”

She smiles. “I love you too, Jayden.”

Right as the words leave her lips and lean down and kiss her, pulling her closer. She lets her body mold against mine and kisses me back. She pulls away for a second.

“Please, don’t let me go tonight.” She whispers, her breath warm against my lips.

I nod and kiss her again as she pulls us towards the bed. Ash is safe and sound here in my arms. Everything is right with the world.