Chapter 71 Rest Easy
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The scent of the trees refreshed my senses as we made our way back to the campsite. I kept my eyes fixed on the towering trunks, but my thoughts drifted far from the serene scenery. What we had witnessed in that cabin would linger in my mind for a long time.
Cade and I made sure to place everything back in its proper order–not a single item remained in sight, except for the necklace I had retrieved from the remains. We hoped this would ensure that no one discovered we had stumbled upon the secret hideout.
“What happens now?” I asked quietly, breaking the heavy silence that enveloped us. My voice felt small and delicate in the stillness of the forest. “Do you think this has something to do with the videos?”
Cade’s jaw clenched as he stared straight ahead.
“It has to,” he finally replied. “Those videos exist for a reason. Winters probably sent us here to keep us out of the way, to make it seem like a favor or a break.”
“But really, it was a cover–up,” I said, finishing his thought. “The explicit videos. The money. The bodies. All of it must be connected. That cabin has to belong to him. No one else would bury something so dark out there.”
Cade gave a small nod, the lines around his eyes deepening with concern. “Elite hasn’t been the same since he became headmaster. Everyone thinks he improved the academy, but they don’t see what he’s hiding.”
I shivered, drawing my arms around myself. “He made it worse. He just covered it in gold and made people thank him for it.”
“I’m going to get to the bottom of it,” Cade said fiercely.
I looked at him, and something stirred within my chest. “For justice,” I murmured softly.
He glanced at me then, his expression softening for a moment.
Cade expertly memorized the long, winding path until we finally reached the campsite. A handful of students remained, likely some had already returned to campus.
“Alpha Cade is here!” Cade’s Beta shouted. Their faces lit up with relief as they turned toward
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“Arden!” Tessa cried out, throwing her arms around me. I staggered back a step but quickly enveloped her in a tight embrace.
“You’re okay,” she breathed.
I pulled back just enough to meet her gaze. “I should be asking you that,” I said softly.
Tessa laughed lightly, swiping at her eyes. “I’m fine. I just–goodness, Arden, you scared me.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my heart heavy. “I’m okay now. I’m glad you’re safe, too.”
From the side, I caught a glimpse of Sienna. She stood alone, her arms crossed tightly, her eyes downcast. Shame clung to her like a second skin. For a moment, I didn’t say anything, choosing instead to look at her and amplify her discomfort.
She didn’t meet my gaze.
“Goodness,” Miss Loveson said, rushing toward us. Her heels clicked furiously against the pavement. “Do you two have any idea how worried we were? You disappeared without warning!”
“We’re fine, Miss,” Cade replied calmly, stepping forward. “But if it’s alright with you… prefer not to report this.”
we’d
Miss Loveson looked between the two of us, her lips pursed in thought, but then she sighed and nodded. “I won’t. Thank goodness you’re safe. Come along now, gather your things. The buses are boarding already. We don’t want another scare like this.”
Cade turned to me, then to Tessa. “I’ll drive us back. Arden, are you okay to ride with me?”
“Can I come too?” Tessa asked quickly, her eyes
wide with eagerness.
“Of course,” Cade replied with a short nod.
But not everyone was as willing to comply.
“Wait a minute,” Rowan called, stepping forward, a hint of defiance in his voice. “She doesn’t need to
go with you. I can drive them both.”
Cade tilted his head, unfazed. “I already offered, Rowan. Just go ahead.”
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Nearby, Elias observed quietly, while behind him, Jaxon leaned against a post, his eyes narrowed and jaw locked in tension.
I didn’t dare glance at either of them.
Cade opened the car door and held it for me. “Come on,” he said gently.
I didn’t hesitate and stepped inside. Tessa followed after me, taking extra care as she maneuvered around my external injuries.
The door closed behind us with a soft click, muffling the sounds of the forest. Cade slid into the driver’s seat, and the car eased forward, the tension from the forest fading with every turn of the wheels.
He didn’t speak right away, and I didn’t need him to. The silence between us was comfortable
now.
Then, after a few moments, he glanced over at me, his voice quiet.
“Sleep, Arden. You need a lot of rest.”
It felt as though his words were a spell, lulling me into slumber almost immediately.
When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the soft weight of a blanket over me and the familiar scent of my pillow. Blinking my eyes open, I felt disoriented, trying to piece together how I had ended up here.
“You’re awake!” Tessa’s voice chirped from somewhere beside me.
I turned my head and found her sitting cross–legged on the edge of my bed, already dressed, her hair pulled into a high bun.
“What time is it?” I mumbled, my voice still rough from sleep.
“It’s nighttime again,” she responded. “You were out cold.”
I sat up slowly, running a hand through my tangled hair. “How did I get back here?”
“Cade carried you,” Tessa said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “It was so sweet, Arden. He was so careful with you, like you were made of glass. He gently placed you on the bed, tucked you in, and even made sure your head was resting on the softest pillow.”
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My cheeks warmed instantly. “He did not.”
“Oh, he so did,” she insisted. “He even looked around our place and asked if everything was comfortable for us. Obviously, I said no. He hummed and nodded! I think he really cares for you, Arden.”
“Is there something going on between you two?” she followed up, her curiosity piqued.
I shook my head a little too quickly. “No.”
Tessa raised a brow, unconvinced. “Really?”
“No,” I repeated, but this time it came out softer–quieter. A small twinge of disappointment followed, one I wasn’t particularly proud of.
“But do you want there to be?” she asked, leaning in closer.
I groaned and covered my face with both hands. “I don’t know.”
“Goodness, Arden,” she said, a teasing smile on her face. “You like Alpha Cade.”
My hands slid down just enough for me to peek at her. “I think he just wants to protect me. That’s what this is. He’s True Alpha Cade. He protects people.”
“No way,” she said firmly, shaking her head. “He doesn’t look at other people the way he looks at you. You should just ask him.”
“I don’t know,” I said again, though this time it wasn’t about denial. It was simply the truth. I really had no idea. Cade had so much going on–much more than anyone really understood. Between the secrets beneath the cabin and the hidden truths we had uncovered, asking him how he felt about me felt… selfish. Misplaced, even.
Then there was the issue with Mr. Winters. I wanted to help Cade figure it out. I wanted to expose what was happening here–what Elite had become. Someone like him didn’t deserve to keep that kind of
power.
“Earth to Arden?” Tessa asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I turned to her and changed the subject. “How about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “That afternoon, after the battle. You disappeared. I couldn’t find you
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The teasing in her expression faded immediately. She looked down at her hands, picking at her nails. “I just needed space.”
“If there’s something wrong, you can tell me,” I said gently. “You always tell me to open up, and I want you to do the same, Tessa.”
“I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone in this,” I added softly, hoping to convey my
support.
Her lips pressed into a firm line, and I could see the internal struggle happening behind her
eyes.
“It’s Rowan, isn’t it?” I asked softly, finally breaking the silence.
She flinched, just barely, but it was enough to convince me that Rowan was the source of her distress.
I reached for her hand. “What do you two have going on between you? If I may ask.”
For a long second, I thought she might not answer me.
But then her shoulders slumped a little, and her voice came out in a quiet whisper. “We’re mates.”
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