Chapter 135
Chapter 135
After everyone had finally left the room, I eased myself down onto the bed, carefully adjusting Kennedy so she could rest more comfortably. She’d been curled up tightly for so long that I worried about her circulation cutting off in her legs. Once I’d fussed over her blankets and pillows more than necessary, I glanced up at Bennet, who was leaning against the wall with a tired expression.
“Come on, just be honest with me. Is there something going on between you and Kennedy?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual but unable to hide the curiosity— and frustration-in my voice.
Bennet sighed, clearly weary of the topic. “Not this again. Do you have any idea how exhausting you are?” he replied, his voice low but steady.
I shook my head. “I just don’t get it. You act like you’re just as obsessed with her as I am. You’re always right there, one step behind her. It’s like you can read her mind, feel what she’s feeling. You get more pissed off or defensive on her behalf than anyone else does p>
“I’m her Gamma, asshole,” Bennet said quietly, without the anger he’d shown the other night. Instead, there was a weariness in his voice. “It’s my responsibility to stay one step behind her at all times. I have to know what she needs, even before she asks for it. Not being able to talk to her because you’re a jealous prick made things harder. I had to become more observant, learn how to read her body language. Honestly, I should thank you for that—-she never asks for help. She’s just as stubborn as you are. I know Jeremiah and the others love her, but I think she always felt like a burden there too. That’s why she pushes herself so hard. And then you came along and took all that away from her in an instant. She knows everyone assumes she’s the weak link because she’s human, and she refuses to be seen that way. I’ve had this connection with her since the moment you claimed her at Raina’s party p>
“I didn’t claim her then,” I said, shaking my head.
“Bullshit you didn’t! I remember it clearly a half-assed non-apology to Danny for cockblocking him, then you spent the rest of the night hovering around her. And where was I? Right behind you, watching your back next to Josh. That’s when I knew she was my Luna p>
I frowned, remembering the early days. “She was attacked twice in her first month here p>
“Unfortunately, that’s part of being Luna,” Bennet said grimly. “Ask your mom how many times they were attacked when she traveled with your dad. Or how many times when she wasn’t with them. For some reason, idiots in our species think females are weak and easy targets. But anyone who messes with Greta and lives to tell the tale quickly changes their tune. I’ve even seen the Luna verbally spar with people—she’s terrifying when she’s angry. Except for Amy, I’ve never seen her back down from anyone. And even then, she only showed her pain after Amy was out of sight-like today p>
I swallowed hard, pulling Kennedy closer, as if holding her tighter could somehow protect her from the dangers I feared. “I don’t know if I could survive if anything like what happened to Mom happened to Kennedy. I don’t know how Dad managed it p>
“You should talk to Jeremiah,” Bennet suggested. “Maybe he’ll tell you what happened about a year ago p>
“What do you mean? He mentioned it once but said it wasn’t his story to tell p>
“I don’t know all the details because she wasn’t allowed to talk to me,” Bennet admitted, his voice heavy with frustration. “But she was kidnapped or captured- someone wanted to get to Jeremiah through her. She’s here now, so obviously she escaped. From what I understand, she freed herself. She wasn’t rescued p>
I blinked, stunned. “What p>
“Ask your mom or Greta-they might know more. She’s human, so she can be broken in ways we can’t. But she’s not some fragile piece of glass that needs to be locked away p>
Even if she’s stronger than I am, my fear doesn’t lessen. Kennedy is too precious to risk harm. I’ve seen her endure and heal from a pack induction ceremony while unconscious. I know what she’s capable of, but that doesn’t make it any easier to believe.