James' POV

     Once we got home last night Jessie let Cody come back and my small bean cried into my arms for hours until he finally settled down. He didn't ask about what happened after Jessie took over, and I didn't tell.

       I think we all know that this is one of those things that Cody doesn't need to know.

      The sun is rising over the horizon and neither of us have been to sleep. There haven't been any nightmares or really any talking, we've just watched each other through the night, soaking in each other's company and proximity. I called the school last night and explained the situation, and they we all agreed that it would be best if we finished out the school year at home.

      Cody had rejoiced over that, making a joke about not having to get up early but all I could think about is how I should've let him stay home yesterday instead of forcing him to go to school.

     And suddenly, I have an idea on what we can do this week, after we take care of some much needed business.

     My eyes are far away as I think to myself about yesterday and all the things that I have to get done. In fact, I'm so caught up in my head that when Codys hand comes up to touch my cheek the feeling makes me jump harshly making him frown softly.

      "Where were you?" He asks me referring to where my mind was when I drifted off and I pull his small body into mine before kissing his forehead softly making him sigh.

"No where important." I tell him and he hums his acknowledgment though doesn't ask any other questions. I raise my hand up to come settle in his chocolate curls, shifting through the strands just as I know he likes it as my gaze falls in to the coloring sky, the view a dull grey as the world begins to wake up.

"What did it feel like?" Cody asks me and I raise my brow even though he can't see it, wondering what he's talking about.

"What did what feel like?" I ask him and he shocks me with his answer.

"When I started to reject you. I know I was supposed to be sleep for that part but I tried to convince myself to be strong and wake back up. I wish I would have stayed asleep." He tells me and my heart clenches, heart broken that my sensitive bean had to witness one of the scariest things someone could ever go through.

"Well." I start, my voice coming out choked and it takes an effort to clear it though it's impossible to swallow the lump that jumps up my throat at the memory of those words coming from my lovers mouth. "Imagine a knife stabbing you in two separate places, one your heart the other your Mark."

I begin to explain to Cody that way it felt, and I raise my eyes to the ceiling in an effort to stop my tears from falling, not wanting him to feel guilty for something he had to do.

"It was this stabbing searing pain that started in two places and was starting to come together towards my core where they say your soul lies. I could hear you say them as you did and it made me howl out in pain. And suddenly everything stopped but my body still felt like it was on fire, just a calmer one. I'm still sore from it. And my Mark is red." I tell him, trying to keep the tone light with such a heavy topic.

"It was your howl that stopped Jessie. He knew you were almost there. That's when I forced myself back to sleep. I saw who it was though." He tells me quietly and I can feel his small hands shaking against my side as he recalls the few terrifying moments he was present for.

"It was Makayla." I tell him even though he knows, needing to say it out loud again so I can understand it myself.

"I never thought... she seemed so nice to me." He says and I frown sympathetically for my bean. Cody already has anxiety and trust issues and this whole situation just fucked them all up even more.

"I would've never guessed it either, bean. But she won't be bothering us anymore." I assure him and though I can feel a slight curiosity in the air it quickly fades away as he thinks better if it and I mentally breath a sigh of relief, but quite ready it have the conversation.

I don't think I'll ever be.

I'm just about to open my mouth and suggest that we try to go to sleep when I feel Alex press against my conscious. I allow him access to my mind and he gives me the first decent news I've gotten since yesterday.

'Jessica is awake. She's asking for the two of you.' He tells me and I suck in a breath at the news, knowing that this is either going to be a very tiresome or a bit healing to our scared souls. The crazy thing is, it's not the kidnapping or the killing or even the fear of never finding Cody in time that's playing in my head.

It's those few words that echoed in my mind and body, so close the severing the the best thing that's ever happened to me.

It only took four words for my whole world to come crashing down on me, and I'm still trying to build myself up from how I fell apart. I shake my head, getting rid of the horrid thoughts as I turn towards Cody to share the news. "Jessica is awake." I tell him and he shifts his face up to look at me in confusion before it dawns on me. "She got taken too. That's why no one has seen her. She was almost dead when we found her."

     His breath catches in his throat in disbelief and I watch his mind to make sure this all ain't too much for him, but he seems to be steady.

      "I'm going down to talk to her. Do you want to come?" I ask him, knowing that his small body probably needs some rest and I'm proven right by his answer.

      "Can I just stay here? I think I'm going to try to sleep." He asks me quietly as if he's scared I'm going to say no, but I prove him wrong with a quick kiss on the forehead.

     "Of course, bean. Link me if you need me." I tell him and he agrees as I pull myself from under his body and get out of bed. I don't bother changing out of my pajamas since it's the middle of the night and instead grab some slippers that Cody got for me. Before I leave the room, I let my mind fall over Cody's in a blanket and I feel him relax at the weight of my conscious on his, replacing my physical body next to him.

      I block any sound form reaching him as I make my way out of my room and down the stairs, the early morning both eerie and beautiful all at once.

      I make my way to the medical wing of the building and pass the baby ward and instead go towards the medical center is. I follow Alex's mental directions and end up at room fifteen. I raise my fist to knock on the door softly before I turn the knob and make my way into the dimly lit room, shutting the door behind me.

My eyes first find Alex's tired form next to the hospital bed, my Beta nosing to me in hello before I joking him beside the bed. I look up at Jessica and I can't help the way my heart contracts at what I see in front of me, the once beautiful lively girl, worn down to almost nothing and I never even noticed. I feel guilt stab me in the stomach but I do my best to ignore it as my green eyes come up to meet her brown ones that are half closed.

      "Hey, Jess." I say softly giving her a wobbly smile and let my and lift my hand to cover her own. As much as she's no longer my girlfriend and no where close to my Mate, I still feel a sense of responsibility over her, especially since she's one of the wolves without a family, the pack house helping raise her.

      "I'm so sorry, James." She whispers to me and her voice is cracked and dry as she tries to talk. Before I can even ask for one, a cup of water is pressed into my hands and I give it to the girl, letting her take a few sips before I answer her ridiculous apology.

      "You didn't cause all of this, Jessica. There's nothing to apologize for." I tell her firmly but she gives me a raspy cough that makes me cringe.

       "I was a jealous bitch. I didn't mean to get like that. I'm sorry. I wanted you to love me so bad." She tells me and I don't say anything letting her get it out. "I remember when we were kids and you would help me with everything. You were my closest friend. The three of us were inseparable. I though that made us perfect for each other. But I'm glad you found Cody. He's perfect for you."

       I go to say something, but it's as if those words tired her out and soon, her lids falling shut as she falls asleep as soon as the words are out of her mouth.

       I don't resent Jessica, because I know how it feels to never find your Mate when you're surrounded by people who are so happy with theirs. I only hope that one day she can heal from this and whatever she went through.

      I sit with her for a few more hours, watching over her and letting her know whenever she wakes up that she's not alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I always love the healing chapters they get me every single time. I love these two so much. James is such a food guy and I feel so bad for jessica.

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