After the Storm

I was awake.

The first thing I noticed was the beeping. The steady pulse of a heart monitor, rhythmic and steady, the only thing that made sense in the haze of pain clouding my mind. My head felt like it was being pressed into a vice, every small movement sending jolts of discomfort through my body. I tried to open my eyes, but the brightness of the hospital lights made everything feel too sharp. My body screamed in protest as I shifted slightly, trying to make sense of what was happening.

And then I saw him: Camden.

His face was the first thing my blurry vision locked onto, and the sight of him, that familiar strength and tenderness, made my chest tighten. He was sitting beside me, his hand holding mine gently, his face a mixture of worry and relief. His eyes softened when he saw I was awake, and his lips parted, though he didn't speak at first.

"Avery," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're awake. Thank God."

I blinked slowly, trying to clear the fog in my mind. "Where's Caleb? What happened... Alice?" My voice was weak, barely a whisper, but I had to know. I needed to know.

"You were hurt," he said, his voice steady but full of pain. "Alice... she stabbed you, but it's over now. You're safe. You're here with me."

I tried to sit up, but the dizziness hit me immediately. My body felt like it had been through hell, like I hadn't moved in ages. I winced as I adjusted myself on the bed, my hands trembling. "Alice... she's... gone?"

Camden's expression darkened for a moment, his jaw tightening. "She's in prison. Maddison and James too. They're facing charges for everything they've done. It's over, Avery."

Relief washed over me in waves, though it was mingled with a sharp sense of betrayal that still lingered in the pit of my stomach. I closed my eyes, trying to push that feeling away, but it wouldn't leave me. The images of Alice's face, twisted with hatred and smug satisfaction, came flooding back. But I didn't have time to linger on it—because Camden was still holding my hand, and his eyes were filled with a tenderness I could never mistake.

"Zach..." I murmured, my mind quickly jumping to him. How was he handling all of this? He'd been deceived just as much as I had.

Camden's expression faltered for a second before he spoke again. "He's... struggling. He feels like he failed his family. Like he failed the pack. He's been apologizing non-stop, but I think he's relieved too. A lot of people wanted her dead—me too—but I think that would have killed him.

Deep down, I think he's glad she's going to prison."

I squeezed Camden's hand, trying to comfort him, though I still couldn't process everything. It was all so much to take in, so much that I still couldn't fully grasp.

Before I could say anything more, the door to my room opened, and my father walked in first. His eyes were wide with worry as he rushed to my side. "Avery, sweetheart... we were so scared."

"Dad, I'm fine," I whispered, my voice strained. "I'm okay now."

My mother followed him in, her face pale with worry. She bent down to kiss my forehead, her hands trembling slightly as they brushed over my skin. "You had us so worried, honey. I don't know what we'd have done if something had happened to you."

"I'm okay, Mom," I reassured her, though the weight of everything made it hard to even speak. The fear in their eyes mirrored the fear I felt before the storm had passed.

Caleb my baby stood by my bed, his face was pale, tired, but his eyes wide when he saw me awake.

"Sweetheart" I called

He moved to my side quickly, throwing himself on me causing me to wince. But it was ok, I'd endure any pain for him.

"Easy, Caleb, Mom's still sick," Camden warned

"Mom" he cried, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so glad you're awake."

I smiled faintly, but there was a part of me that still felt distant. Caleb had been through so much. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I know you were worried." He just kept crying as i hugged him as tight as my body would allow.

Camden's voice cut through the quiet tension in the room. "The drug Alice used on Caleb was too strong for his body to fight off. He slept through the entire thing. He was terrified when he woke up and found out you were hurt."

I looked at Caleb, guilt rising in my chest. T wasn't able to protect him. "You didn't need to be afraid," I whispered. "I'm here now. And that's all that matters."

I spent the morning with my parents and Caleb, Camden never leaving my side. By noon they excused themselves to get Caleb lunch and let him take a nap, promising to come back later.

A few doctors and nurses came in to check on me, and while I wished they didn't have to touch my wound so often, it was part of the process. The doctor mentioned I'd be left with a nice scar, a reminder of everything I'd gone through.

Camden and I hadn't really talked much. I think we were both too afraid, maybe. We'd come so close to losing each other. Perhaps I should be the one to speak first.

Before I could, Danny and Alex walked into the room together, their faces a mix of relief and concern. Danny's usual light-heartedness was gone, replaced with a weight of worry I hadn't seen before. "You're awake," he said softly, trying to break the tension. "You had us all on edge, you know?"

Alex moved closer, giving me a quick hug. "You scared the hell out of us," she added, though I could hear the relief in her voice as she pulled back.

"I didn't mean to," I said with a weak smile. "But I'm here now."

Danny gave a small chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, maybe you could cut us some slack next time? Just for our sanity."

I laughed softly, even if it hurt. I was surrounded by my friends, my family, the people who truly cared for me.

The hours passed with more conversation, people coming in and out, their concern palpable. I eventually fell asleep to the sounds of Camden and Alex bickering like true siblings.

"Come on, let her sleep," I heard Camden say.

The next time I woke, I heard Camden's voice whispering to someone by the doorway.

Annabeth.

"Hi..." I croaked out, the dryness in my throat making it hard to speak. "I need water."

She turned, looking at me with a kind, understanding smile. "Avery, I'm so glad you're okay," she said softly, her voice carrying a quiet strength. "I wasn't sure I'd get to you in time"

She did and i was so grateful. Alice said she had her killed.

My heart fluttered with a mix of emotions. "Annabeth... I thought you were—"

"Dead?" She gave a faint, knowing smile, but there was a spark  in her eyes as she approached the bed. "Killing me isn't going to be so easy, Alice tried...twice... but it didn't work. She had me run off the road, but my assistant and I made it out. The rest of her team... well, they didn't fare so well. I'm fine, my assistants a little shaken up."

I stared at her, disbelief mixing with gratitude. "I can't believe she tried to do that to you."

Annabeth shrugged, a grin tugging at her lips. "I've always got luck on my side.."

It was strange, seeing her so calm in the face of everything. This was my first time meeting Annabeth, but I couldn't help but feel like there was something instantly familiar about her. Maybe it was the way she carried herself—strong, but with an understanding in her eyes, as though she knew exactly what it felt like to be caught in a storm, just like I had.

I swallowed, my voice soft but sincere. "I'm really glad you're here... and that you're okay. I can't thank you enough for figuring out Alice's plans in time for Cam to find me."

Annabeth gave me a small, genuine smile, her eyes softening as she took a step closer. "You don't need to thank me, Avery," she said . "I'm sure this bog oaf would've found you regardless, but I'm just glad I could help." we both laughed and Cam scowled a little.

The rest of her visit, she filled me in on everything she'd uncovered about Alice—how Alice's mate had been killed, and how her initial quest for revenge had morphed into an insatiable hunger for power and money.

The doctor Alice had killed was once her husband's best friend—someone who had blindly helped her. How could she kill him so easily? I still didn't understand.

The details about Alice slowly poisoning me over the years as part of her plans made my blood run cold. To think I had been so close to losing both my baby and my life—it was all too overwhelming.

As Annabeth made her way to the door to give us some space, she stopped and glanced over her shoulder with one last piece of advice. "Take care of yourself, Avery. You deserve it."

I smiled faintly, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for everything she had done. "You too," I whispered as she left.

The room fell quiet again, and I turned my gaze back to Camden, whose eyes were filled with quiet concern. But there was something else there, too----.

"Cam?"

"Mmhmm?" he answered tiredly

"Thank you for saving me. For saving Caleb"

Camden's gaze softened, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He shifted closer, his hand brushing mine.

"You don't need to thank me," he said quietly, his voice rough but tender. "I'd do it a thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe. Both of you."

I met his eyes, feeling the sincerity in his words. I could see the exhaustion in his face, the way his shoulders sagged, as if the events of the past few days had drained him completely. But even so, there was no hesitation in his expression. He would've done it all again, no matter the cost. And that kind of loyalty—unwavering devotion—meant everything to me.

A warmth spread through my chest. I loved this man. I don't think I ever stopped but the realization hit me like a wave, overwhelming and beautiful all at once. I loved Camden.

I stared at him, my heart racing. It was like the words were clawing at me from the inside, desperate to be released, but part of me was scared. Instead, I let my hand squeeze his, silently conveying everything that had been building inside me.

Camden's eyes softened as he watched me, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. Maybe he already knew. Maybe he had felt it too, in the way our fingers intertwined, in the unspoken moments between us.

"You're everything to me, Avery," he murmured, his voice low and steady. It was as if he had read my mind, sensing the shift in the air, the weight of the unspoken truth between us.

I felt my heart flutter in my chest, the words finally slipping free. "I love you, Camden," I whispered, the confession trembling on my lips but flowing from my heart so effortlessly. "I always have."

His expression softened even further, and I saw something raw in his eyes—a mixture of relief, joy, and something deeper, something that mirrored my own feelings. He leaned down, his lips brushing my forehead, and I felt the world slow for a moment, like everything was finally falling into place.

"I love you too," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

And in that moment, I knew everything would be okay. We had been through hell and back, but together, we could face whatever came next.

_____________________________________________________________________________

As the day wore on, exhaustion slowly caught up to me, and by evening, I decided to call it a night early, hoping to finally get the rest I desperately needed.

The next morning, I was discharged from the hospital. I was still sore but relieved to be leaving. The doctor said I'd be healed in about a week, which was a relief. I wasn't sure how much longer I could've tolerated the pain. The thought of being back at home, surrounded by familiar faces, was comforting.

First it was Josh and Luke, I thanked them profusely for there help. We were all blindsided and unprepared but they really did their best based on the circumstance. I found out that Alice had that James guy practically torturing them for her own amusement .

"Shucks Avery, we're really sorry and wished we were able to do more, she played dirty tranquilizing us like that." I could tell they were really mad but they did more than they thought. I remember how quick and ready they were to fight. And how  Luke tackled Maddison. I couldn't even do anything but run my mouth and buy us some time.

I continued thanking them then sent them back to bed to rest.

Zach came by later, and when I saw him, I could see the weight of everything on his face. He didn't know what to say at first, just standing there, looking like he hadn't slept in days.

"I... I don't know what to say, Avery," he finally said, voice heavy. "I failed you. I should've known what Alice was doing. I shouldn't have let her into our pack"

I reached out, squeezing his hand. "You didn't fail me. This wasn't your fault."

He sighed, but it looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, even if just a little. "I should've seen the lies, the manipulation. I didn't protect you or this pack like I should've."

"She's been caught now, and that's what matters," I squeezed his hand again. "Don't carry this on your shoulders, okay?"

He nodded, though I could see how much he was still beating himself up. It wasn't perfect, but I understood. He had been deceived too, just like the rest of us.

After a few more minutes of quiet conversation, Zach stood up to leave, promising to check in on me again soon. I could see how much he wanted to fix things, but for now, I just hoped he could find a little peace with what had happened. It wasn't all his fault, and I knew it would take time for him to realize that.

As he left, Camden walked in.

"How are you feeling?" he asked

"Better," I replied honestly. He came and sat beside me, and I melted into him. The heat of his body pressed against mine. I slid my hand over his side, feeling the firm warmth of his skin, and I couldn't help but smile. "I think this is my new favourite spot."

"I think this is my new favourite spot."

His lips curled into a slow smile as his fingers brushed gently through my hair, his thumb grazing the soft skin of my neck. "Oh, yeah?"

"Mhm," I whispered, my fingers tracing small patterns on his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath them. "I get all the cuddles I could want."

The air between us shifted. His eyes darkened as he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my skin. "You know what else this spot is perfect for?" he murmured, his lips almost grazing my ear.

My heart skipped, and I tilted my head, meeting his gaze, my pulse quickening. "What?" I breathed, barely able to hold back a smile.

He didn't answer with words. Instead, he leaned in, capturing my lips with his in a kiss that was slow and deep, as if he were trying to memorize the feeling of me in his arms. His hand slid to the small of my back, pulling me even closer, and I felt the heat of his touch spread through me like wildfire. When he pulled away, his forehead resting gently against mine, he whispered,

"This."

______________________________________________________________________

It was a few days after my discharge, and I was still adjusting to being home. The pain had started to dull, and I was settling into the quiet rhythm of healing. Camden and I were resting in his office when we received a visitor.

Joel walked in, looking serious but calm. He had a folder in his hand, and I knew instantly that this wasn't going to be a casual chat.

"Can I talk to you both for a moment?" he asked, voice low.

"Of course," Camden said, his tone steely.

Joel walked in and took a seat, glancing between Camden and me.

"The investigation into Alice, Maddison, and James is nearly complete," Joel began, flipping open the folder. "There are some details I need to make you aware of. They've been confirmed to have orchestrated several illegal activities, not just targeting you, Avery, but using the pack for their own personal gain."

I nodded, my chest tightening. The thought of Alice using everything, including the pack, for her selfish needs made me sick.

"They'll be going to trial soon," Joel continued. "No surprise, James was just a hired help, and he spilled the beans on everything they did. They're looking at the maximum penalty according to the pack courts."

"Good" I said. "They should rot where they are."

Joel smiled. One day soon he and I should chat---to see where things went wrong between us.

After a moment of silence, Joel stood up, closing the folder. "That's all I have for now. I'll keep you updated as things progress."

Camden gave him a nod of acknowledgment. I just wish this was over with.

Soon.