"Alpha, the men would like to know when we can head back?" my eyes drift to the person who just addressed Asher, but his face isn't familiar.

For the first time, in I don't even know how long, I look around. My eyes scan over about twenty men lounging around the area before settling on a pool of blood where Jaclyn had been.

Where is she and how did I not notice sooner that she was gone?

"Where's Jaclyn?" my voice is hoarse from crying and I have to clear my throat.

Asher and my dad share a brief look, but I can't tell what it is that passes between them. I can almost see the words floating behind their eyes but whatever it is, they're hesitant to share it with me.

Asher gives me a small smile before taking a deep breath.

"Dylan got her breathing, but just barely. He ran her back to the pack to see the doctor." I can tell by his voice that he is trying to remain emotionless, but it isn't working.

I could only imagine that he and Dylan are just as close as Jenna and me. Usually, that's how it is with the children of the Alpha and Beta. We're raised next to each other, almost like siblings and had it been Jenna who was trying to save Ian, I would be emotional too.

"Nick's right though, Jared. We can't stay here forever. We should head back to my p-"

"No! Reed is still out there!" I cut off Asher and try to push away from my dad.

I've been trying not to think about the fact that Reed isn't back yet. The only thing that makes it easier is the fact that Harley isn't here either. As long as Harley stays away, then I know Reed is still out there.

I know he is.

But that doesn't mean we can just leave him out here. What if he is injured and needs help getting back to Asher's pack? What if after we leave, he comes limping through the trees looking for us, but finds it empty?

"They're right, kiddo. We need to head back." a strangled cry leaves my lips as my dad reaches to pull me back into his arms.

I try to fight off the feeling of being betrayed but I don't need Alpha Jared, I need my dad. The man who should be on my side when I'm hurting. I want him to see that I'm not trying to stay out here selfishly and keep all these men from their families.

I want to go home too, but I can't just leave Reed. My bottom lip begins to tremble and tears flood my eyes, blurring the world around me as my head unconsciously shakes side to side.

"Dad-" my voice breaks off from the weight of the emotions riding on it and my dad pulls me tightly into his arms.

"I know, Aspen, I know." he coos, as he takes a step back and then another.

We can't leave our mate! Rose shouts, fighting me for control.

"No, I can't leave him!" I struggle with my dad's grip, but his arms tighten around my middle.

"Dad! No!" I kick, claw and scream but it's no use. His grip never loosens.

My eyes search for someone, anyone, to be on my side, but every single person looks at the ground like we are walking through a minefield.

"Please, Daddy," I beg, watching as we get further and further away from where we were.

"I'm sorry, Kiddo," he says simply and in the instant, I stop struggling in his arms, allowing my feet to leave a trail behind me. I don't have the strength to fight him off anyway.

I kept thinking that Reed would appear out of the trees and run towards me. He would kiss me and reassure me that Harley was no longer a threat; that he was my mate and my mate only.

As we reached Asher's pack house, however, my heart sank to my stomach and fear crept in.

What could possibly be taking Reed this long? Something is definitely wrong.

"I'll leave you to get cleaned up." My dad says gently, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

I didn't even notice we had reached the room I was staying in, let alone the bathroom. I can tell my dad is watching me, waiting for me to yell or scream at him for dragging me away, but I do none of those things.

I don't even look at him, I just nod my head in silent acknowledgment. My hands slap down on the countertop in frustration as soon as I hear both the bathroom door and bedroom door close.

I flinch when I look at my reflection in the mirror. The only clean part of my skin is the tear-stained trails that run down my cheeks. The rest of my exposed skin is covered with dirt and dried blood. Twigs and leaves stick out of the rat's nest that I call hair and my eyes are dull and puffy from crying.

My dad was being polite saying that I should clean up. I'm almost surprised they didn't make me hose off in the yard before coming in the house.

It almost feels like my body shifts into autopilot as I start the water to the shower and rip the stained shirt from my body.

The water beats against my skin, but the only indication of its temperature is the steam that billows around me.

My body is numb. I don't even feel the washcloth as I scrub away the top layer of my skin, leaving nothing but pink flesh behind.

My legs begin to feel weak, and I fear any second now I will collapse. I switch from the shower to the tub and sit as the water begins to pool around my body.

We shouldn't have left him out there. He could need us! Rose whimpers.

I didn't want to either. I tried, Rose. I really did. She doesn't respond, she only whimpers and retreats into my mind.

I reach my toes out, turning off the water to the tub. The room goes silent with the exception of my breathing and the occasional splash of water as I move.

I try to search my mind for something, anything that will distract me from the one thought I have been avoiding, but there is nothing. And like a ton of bricks dropped on me, the thought moves to the front of my mind and forces me to admit the truth,

It's been too long. If Reed won the challenge, he would have been here by now.

A sob rips from my throat and one hand flies to try and stop it from leaving my lips as tears roll down my cheeks. My free hand claws at my chest as if it can numb away the pain that has settled there. As if the burning pain can be extinguished with my hand.

I jump when the bathroom door. My heart sinks to my toes in panic at the sight before me. My mind not knowing what to think or feel as adrenaline, panic, fear, sadness but most of all relief flood through me at the same time.

Reed stares down at me like a blind man seeing for the first time. His bare chest rising and falling with quick breaths but my eyes stay locked to his honey gaze.

With my peripheral vision, I can see all the blood and bruises that cover his skin, even disappearing under the shorts he's wearing.

I don't care that he is filthy or that I'm as naked as the day I was born. None of that even remotely matters.

Reed is here.

I scramble against the slippery porcelain, wanting to feel Reed in my arms. It's like I have to prove to myself that he is really here and not just some figment of a stressed mind and broken heart.

He closes the distance between and his arms wrap perfectly around my waist, pulling my bare chest against his. My tears turn from sadness to joy as the tingles spark between us.

He's here! He's really here!

I can't stop my fingers from roaming his skin, from his back to his arms and even thru his slightly matted hair. Reed pulls away slightly, one of his hands moving the wet hair from my face. His eyes search mine before a ghost of a smile appears on his lips.

"I love you, Aspen." my breath catches in my throat but I'm not sure if it's from his admission or the sound of his voice after I had been thinking I lost him.

"I lov-" Reed smashes his lips against mine before I can even finish the sentence.

His kiss is demanding and passionate as he pours everything from his lips to mine. Instantly, I am breathless, but I still cling to him like a lifeline.

I pull away for oxygen, much to the protest of Rose, and notice for the first time that my hands are covered in blood again. My eyes trace over his body, noting all the cuts and bites that Harley had caused.

"He's dead." Nothing else needs to be said as Reed's honey gaze captures me.

At this moment, everything becomes so clear. It's like a fog has been lifted, leaving nothing but absolute clarity behind.

I don't want to wait any longer. Reed is my mate and the pain I felt only minutes ago at the thought that I lost him was unbearable. I want to be his now and forever.

I want there to be no way anyone can come between us ever again.

I hold his eyes with mine as I slowly move to uncork the drain with my foot. The water begins to drain out of the tub and Reed makes a move to reach towards the towel, but I don't let him.

I pull his lips to mine again, needing to be brave. I have nothing to be ashamed or nervous about, Reed is my mate.

"Aspen?" Reed mumbles against my lips, his hands holding my hips.

I pull my head away, just enough to look into his eyes. I can see Dash sitting behind his honey orbs, watching me with uncertain but curious eyes. It's almost like he is trying to figure out if I'm real now or if this is all some trick.

But it's not a trick. I want there to be nothing between Reed and me.

"You're mine," I say, reaching to turn the shower on.

The water begins to beat against me again, but this time, I feel every drop as I pull Reed into the shower with me. His feet stepping out of his shorts and his mouth connecting with mine into another breath stealing kiss.