Love consumed her in flames but she emerged untouched
Chapter 0131

Chapter 0131

I am forced to sit in the hospital room with Eden and Bailey when all I want to do is be alone. I hadplanned to call in to see how Eden was doing and if there had been any update as to when theyplanned to induce her labor, and thought I might try to cheer her up with a little fruit hamper madeby one of my mother’s friends. Needless to say, with the delightful mood Eden was in at present,that had gone down the same way a gift of an atomic bomb would have done. But, still, Caleb wouldhave some tasty snacks when he had to sit and listen to her complaining when he was spendingtime with her.

I am usually happy to sit and spend a little time with her, chatting, giving Caleb a little chance to gohome and take a shower, visit Matty or do some work. I know he hated Eden being on her own and,other than returning home to sleep, he ensured that she had someone with her all the time at thehospital, so she wasn’t lonely. In truth, Eden would likely appreciate the peace…

But, the moment Caleb walked back into the hospital room with Bailey in tow, I wanted to escape.All my thoughts have been of that bloody girl of late. Messed up thoughts too. Worried sick abouther. Trying to uncover who that had been at the end of the phone the other night… I mean, I had mysuspicions, but they had been exactly that, suspicions, and without Bailey willing to talk to me, Icouldn't confirm them.

But, it had truly got inside my head the way he had been with her. The way it had affected her. Hurther. Nobody should be talking to her like that. I couldn't understand why he had felt he was okay tospeak to her like that… and what bothered me greatly was what sort of threat he posed to Baileynow she was in our pack…

And then came the even more punishing questions that I struggled even harder to answer, as towhy my wolf had reacted the way he had to her. Why he had felt such an urge to protect her. Yet, Icouldn't lie, I had felt the same urge. And a pain when she had pushed me away. A sense of

betrayal to Isla when everyone kept trying to imply there were feelings there. I don’t know her wellenough for there to be feelings there. I know that much.

But, something I do know, for the sake of my own sanity, and likely that of my wolf too, it would bebetter for the two of us to stay apart. She had been through enough, it seemed, and she did notneed any additional complications of rumors being started by the likes of things being implied byothers. Nor did she need me upsetting her with my temper…

So, I sat in almost silence while Bailey chatted enthusiastically with Eden. Her face lit up as shesmiled at her. Her eyes almost sparkled, as her delicate features changed as she smiled. I couldn’thelp but notice how well the two of them got along. Maybe that was one of the reasons Eden hadclung to the idea of Bailey coming to our pack. She saw a potential friend in her. She had lost herfriend, Kasia, late last year during childbirth, and she had struggled every day with it since. Shedidn’t have many other female friends. And, I knew that she was often lonely, that was why sheclung so desperately to Caleb.

Maybe when she realized she got along so well with Bailey, she thought there was a potential for anew friend. Someone to connect with. A friendship. Something she had been missing. Because, inthat regard, it would likely do Eden good. I raised my gaze momentarily at the sound of the two ofthem laughing. “Well, I bought chocolate.” Bailey said, wiggling her eyebrows toward Eden, with abig smile, offering her a bag. “And magazines.”

“See, this girl knows what gifts are. Not fruit.” She winked at Bailey, before sticking her tongue out atme.

I rolled my eyes at her. “Once again, you are welcome, Eden.”

“Did I ever tell you about this guy I once knew, Bailey? He was so happy, cheerful, and a delight toknow.” Eden began, with a sideways glance toward me. I had a feeling this was coming right backat me.

Bailey looked at Eden with curiosity, and shook her head.

“Always the joker of the group. Fun to be around, and always smiling. Kind, caring, and thesweetest guy you could ever meet.” Eden said with a smile. “Wouldn’t believe he turned into this oldgrumpy bastard would you?” she motioned her head toward me, with a grin.