Page 165 of Drown My Sorrow

I turn and find Keagan, Beau, and Aspyn staring at us.

“I’m fine.” Another lie, and they all can see it.

Beau rolls his eyes. “That can’t be our battle cry when we go to war. I’m fine. It’s all good. I’m okay.”

Aspyn snorts. “Nat has to stay here for a couple of days, but we need to go and talk with the others.”

“Oh, boy, do we need to talk to the others,” Beau says and slams a hand to his forehead. “I can’t unhear that.”

Aspyn elbows him.

“Hey, she was graphic!”

Shale lets go of me, and we trail them back to the car.

“It’sTyphor?”Kellyasksand sits down heavily.

“Yes, he went by the name Trey, and Nat fell hook, line, and sinker. I mean, she wasn’t obviously fucking Typhor, but the guy was literally hired by Typhor. Reports to him, follows his every command.”

Ezy hands the photo to me, and I look down, seeing the guy I recognise from the island. He was the dipshit in the white shirt. This idiot hurt Aspyn’s best friend. I’d like five minutes with him.

“Fucking hell. She just told him everything?”

I wince and look at Aspyn. She’s a bit pale but presses her lips together as she regards Kelly.

“It wasn’t her fault, Kelly. He drugged her. The only reason she got out is because Mael sent Edric to retrieve her.”

“Fuck, Aspyn. I know, I’m just concerned. Horrified that he would stoop this low.”

“She is a friend. She was worried about me.”

“I’m not saying she isn’t.” Kelly stops talking and stands up and stalks away from her. “I’m just saying she should have been more careful.”

Aspyn stands up, growling. “Don’t you talk about Nat like that!”

“Or what?”

Aspyn narrows her eyes, but the rest of us are staying out of it. “Do you agree with him?” She flings at me.

I hesitate and finally incline my head. “She didn’t use discretion. She just went off with him. It was dangerous, not just for her but you as well. It’s hurt you a lot. Do you just make this massive habit to forgive people who hurt you because you think you’re of so little value?” I ask curiously, but it comes out aggressive and bitter.

She recoils like I’ve hit her. “I forgave you.”

“Exactly. We did the unforgivable, and here we are, bonded. You should never have given us a second chance.” I stand up, I’m shouting now, but I can’t stop. “You should have dumped us on our asses and let us rot.”

“Gael!” Kelly hisses. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying she lets everyone treat her badly, but if they are people she cares about, she turns into a dragon. I’m saying you should care more about yourself. You should look at this,” I jab my hand down into the stack of newspapers, “and be angry. You should rage and rant and be hurt and let us help you. The way you said I should let you all help me.”

“What do you want from me?” Aspyn asks in a hushed voice.

“Stand up for yourself, Aspyn. Don’t let people kick you while you’re down. Tell Nat off. Tell us off.”

She looks down at the newspapers and turns away.

“I’ve been here, and I’ve seen this. They will find out about me next, and the rumours will get worse. Things for the pack will look worse, but I’m not going to run this time, and I’m not letting them treat me like this.”

“If we fight back, we look worse for Kelly,” Aspyn says quietly. “Did you think about that?”

---