Kindred Spirits? – 2

Wyatt didn't need an invitation; he rushed past me and headed straight upstairs after a quick hello. Jaxon and I stood awkwardly, staring at each other. I hadn't seen him since his last visit. Wyatt visited almost daily, and Leo sometimes went to their house, but I'd barely seen or interacted with Jaxon. It was as if he was avoiding me for some unknown reason.

"Do you want to come in?" I asked, noticing his hesitation.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

I stepped aside to let him enter. He seemed uncertain at first but eventually crossed the threshold. I led him to the kitchen, motioning for him to sit while I prepared snacks for the children.

"I heard about what happened to you," he said after a while. "Just wanted to check that you're okay."

The news wasn't a secret in this city anymore. Someone had spread the story of Aurora and me, and by evening, it had reached the entire city. No one knew I was the Kincaid Alpha's daughter, and I hoped to keep it that way. I wasn't ready for the attention that name would bring. Everyone still thought I was just from the Sterling family, speculating why someone would kidnap the two Sterling sisters.

"Um—thanks," I replied, feeling strange and awkward.

"How are your injuries?"

"Much better," I answered simply.

We fell silent. Neither of us was sure what to talk about. I almost wished he would leave. I hated awkward situations; they made me nervous and uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry," his voice broke the tense atmosphere, making me turn to face him.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"For my attitude toward you. It wasn't fair, especially when you've been nothing but kind to me and my son. I just…"

I stared at him, shocked. I hadn't expected this when I invited him in.

"You have to understand, I don't have the best experience with females, so trusting them is a bit difficult for me."

I swallowed, realizing I'd misunderstood him.

"Can I assume you were hurt by Wyatt's mother rather than by her death?" I asked cautiously.

His expression said it all. Whoever Wyatt's mother was, she had caused him immense pain, and it seemed that pain was still ongoing. He was a man immersed in his suffering; if he wasn't careful, that pain would consume him.

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it. It's too fucking painful," he said quietly, trying to hide his agony.

My heart ached for him. Maybe it was because he looked so lonely and lost. Maybe it was because I saw myself in him. Maybe it was because I understood his pain. Whatever the reason, I wanted to help him. I wanted to tell him there was a way to coexist with pain. Jaxon was merely surviving instead of living. That was no way to live, especially when you had a pup.

"I understand you, Jax. God, I really do, so I'll accept your apology, and I'll offer you my friendship," I told him sincerely.

He looked at me skeptically but eventually nodded, albeit reluctantly. I didn't know much about him yet, but I could tell he didn't have anyone to talk to or support him. Maybe that's what he needed—someone in his life who could pull him out of his shell, someone who could show him that life was meant to be lived.

Isn't that what happened to me? Iris and Kane entered my life and basically showed me the light. Sure, what Kane did was awful, but I'd forever be grateful that he showed me there was more to life than pain and heartbreak.

"Friends?" I asked, extending my hand.

"Friends," he gave me a small smile.

As we shook hands, an uncomfortable feeling churned in my chest. I didn't sense danger from him, but something told me Jaxon was destined to be here for a reason. He had secrets, secrets that were bound to be exposed, and when they were, everything would change.