Chapter 303
Chapter 303
1- Ben
She’s gone. Just like that, Kennedy was taken-snatched away by some arrogant Alpha who couldn’t care less about her feelings. He openly admitted he didn’t want a mate, yet here he is, dragging her off without a second thought. I know Kennedy wanted out of the pack, wanted to carve her own path, to live life on her own terms and only return when she was ready. That was the plan. We all believed she’d come back. But instead, I had to watch helplessly as she climbed into someone else’s SUV and disappeared from sight.
I can sense Jeremiah’s gaze burning into the side of my face, but I’m not ready to face him yet. I don’t want anyone offering pity or empty words of comfort. Kennedy isn’t my mate, I remind myself, but that didn’t stop me from hoping she might be someday. She’s the only woman in this entire pack who ever truly caught my attention. We never dated, thanks to Jer’s strict hands-off rule. Of course, Tommy, Jason, and I found ways to bend that rule here and there. If Jer suspects anything, he’s never mentioned it.
It hits me that I’ve been walking aimlessly until I reach the gym doors. This place holds memories-especially after Kennedy was taken. The four of us went into overdrive searching for her, and there was no way we’d let her wander around without some basic self-defense skills. The gym became our sanctuary, our regular hangout spot after that.
“I figured you’d end up here,” Jeremiah says, his voice breaking the silence.
“I’m not in the mood, man,” I reply curtly.
“Yeah, well, we’ve got a job to do, and you need to get over your non-mate leaving the pack. We all knew she’d leave eventually. This just happened sooner than anyone expected p>
“No, Jer, this is different,” I say, frustration creeping into my voice. “We talked about her going to college and then coming back. She can’t come home now. And who knows what he’s going to allow her to do p>
“Ryker’s not a bad guy,” Jer responds evenly. “He was as surprised as we were p>
“Bullshit!” I snap, throwing a punch at the heavy bag. “He had plenty of time to say something before showing up and taking her right from under our noses. She could have said no and stayed, but she didn’t p>
Just then, Tommy strolls in through the door. “Thought you might be here. Need a partner? Oh, hey Jer. How’s our boy p>
“I’m standing right here,” I mutter, but they both ignore me as the door opens once more. I don’t even need to look to know who it is.
“Is he a sobbing mess on the floor?” Jason teases.
“Fuck you!” I snap back, swinging again at the bag.
“Come on, get it all out now,” Jason encourages. “You won’t have time to act like a little bitch once Jer’s mated. We all have work to do to make this transition happen p>
“I’m fine,” I say too harshly, proving their point. The three of them stare at me, waiting for more. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside. My body feels like a caged animal, pacing uncontrollably. “Why is everyone acting like this isn’t a problem? Jer, he just swooped in and took your best friend. Don’t you have anything to say about that p>
Jeremiah shrugs, his expression unreadable. “No, I don’t. Because if I did, Kennedy would have my balls. She made her choice. And her mate is my brother’s mate. Honestly, it’s probably the best situation we could ask for. She’s not going to some foreign pack. Rayna and Ryker are close, just like Ken and I are. The girls bonded too. She’s not gone forever-just relocated. And we have to accept that. She was ready to run as far away from the pack as she could p>
“That’s not true,” I insist. “She didn’t want to run p>
“She didn’t want to be here anymore,” Jer counters quietly. “We all saw it. That’s why Mom’s been freaking out p>
“She didn’t want to be a burden,” I say softly. “She always planned to come back. She wanted to be useful when she returned p>