Bound To You

Chapter 39

The number three was always unlucky in my books.

On the third of March, I met Jayden. On the third of May, dad bailed on us. On the third of September, Jayden died.

Exactly three weeks ago today, we lost Hayden.

My mind was having a hard time wrapping around everything that happened. After the house burned to bits, Colton thought it best to get everyone out of there. Everything we brought the day we moved into the house perished, along with Neil, his Rogue army that happened to be in the house, and Hayden.

I had cried for days, Hayden's goofy smile crossing my mind every second that passed. For a week, I refused to eat. I didn't get out of bed, I didn't deal with responsibilities; I avoided them like the plague.

Colton was busy running the pack, but whenever he had the time, he'd always check on me. Always.

I wanted to look for the body; to be sure that he was gone, that there isn't a slither of hope that he may be alive.

But they wouldn't let me. I was frantic, screaming Hayden's name every second I saw something that reminded me of him.

There was no doubt that I thought him as family. He felt like a little brother to me; the joker that always annoyed me.

And now he was gone.

"Goddamn it, Hayden." I muttered, my eyes closing tightly.

His face returned. His always smiling face, the way he'd pout whenever he was beaten in training or in video games; the way he'd rub it in our faces whenever he won.

Would I ever see it again?

_________

Colton's POV

"We need to go back; check for any remains, if any." Vincent, for the third time today, said to me. "Look, it'll bring closure to the pack; to Indie. They were like siblings, Colton, you know how close they were."

I sighed, rubbing my eyes tiredly.

"I know." I muttered. I checked on Indie not too long ago, and she was miserable to say the least. I understood how close she was to Hayden. I was too. His father was my father's Beta, and if Hayden had been just a little older, he'd have been mine.

"I have a group ready." He added.

"Alright." I said after a few moments. "Gather the group, tell them to prepare themselves. We leave in twenty minutes."

Vincent nodded obediently, turning around and leaving the office. I sighed, dropping into the leather seat and rubbing my temples tiredly.

So much has happened, it's fucking ridiculous. A few months ago, Indie and I were sitting in this exact chair, laughing and kissing.

Now, it's all gone to shits.

But what hit me the most was Hayden. Had we protected him better; had we fought off the Rogues just a bit more, he would still be here, with us.

I couldn't help but feel like I failed him; I failed his family, his parents, I failed everyone.

I was the Alpha for God's sake, and I let one of my own die!

I didn't even stay to see if maybe, just maybe, he had managed to get out. That he could be alive somewhere, helpless and injured.

____________________

"Aiden, Elijah; you take the outskirts of the house. Vance, look through the forest, see if you can find any sign on life; anything. Vincent and Whitney, you guys come with us. We'll search through the ruins, see if we can sense Hayd-" His name paused, my tongue not being able to say his name. I clenched my jaw, rubbing my forehead. "Go. Report to me if you find anything."