THE FALTERED BOND

Cade | Chapter 21

Cade! Heads up!

A loud bark breaches into my ears, and, just as I raise my head, a plump rabbit scurries to safety within its burrow. My lips curl in frustration. Helios' flaming eye!

Just as I am about to attempt to dig into the burrow, a sleek, midnight black wolf emerges from the brush.

Did you get it?Shame flickers in my chest, staring at my empty paws. It slipped through...Angel raises her eyes to mine, glinting with worry. Honestly brother, what's gotten into you? This is the fourth rabbit today!

Although her tone is soft, guilt still stabs into my chest. Apologies I- I can't seem to focus.Her blue gaze softens with her reply. I can tell. What's troubling you?

I haven't had much sleep. Those tents aren't exactly made for big guys like me. Despite being half truthful, my words do little to deter my sister. She posts herself in front of me, and I could've sworn a steely flame burnt through her azure pools. Stepping back, I already know she will not let me go until I give her what she wants.A long sigh escapes my lungs. Angel, let me pass-

Nope! Not until you tell me what's really going on. Come on Cade, I can see something's bothering you, I'm not blind.I can't help but admire her determination, one which has resided within her since we were pups. She had always been my closest- albeit insistent- confidant, never breaking her promises to . So why is it that I cannot bring myself to speak my thoughts? Why must this persistent wall reside around my mind?Why am I so choked up to speak to her?

Angel's soft fur presses against my shoulder, her voice soft with concern. Whichever may be bothering you- Know that I am here for you. I will be ready to listen when you are ready to share.A sudden wave of relief washes over me. Thank you, Angel. I will not forget this.Pulling away, she nods and begins her trekk back to camp. I step forward, ready to follow when I find myself hesitating as Angel's words sink in further. Worry flickers in my chest, thoughts drifting back to Ava, and, as her delicate face appears within the back of my mind, a memory bubbles to the surface. A soft, childlike voice tickles my ear.Pain stabs into my heart and I snap to reality, the pressure building behind my eyes threatening to spill over.

I brush the memory away and take a long, calming breath before I catch up to Angel.
We trudge on in silence, the buzz in my ears growing louder as we go. I try to ignore it, push it away as I usually do, but the pressure stubbornly persists.When we finally arrive at camp, all I can think of is a long rest in my tent to clear my thoughts. Just as I am about to dismiss myself to my quarters, a soft, jolly voice calls to me. "Cade!"

I raise my gaze and meet Ava's hazel pools as they glint with joy, a freshly caught rabbit dangling from her hands. ''Look what I caught!!''

A familiar pride blooms within my chest and I catch myself nearly brimming with tears. She giggles, a gentle, child-like laugh exploding from her throat as she continues, ''I can't believe I actually did it!

- She's a real natural.'' The words came from Zedekiah, his icy orbs glinting with something mischievous as he says, ''You should've seen her, I could barely keep up.''

It is then I connect the dots, understanding he had purposely held back and allowed Ava to take the lead and catch her prey. I make sure to thank him through the link, somewhat surprised to see this softer side; the twins were known to be quite competitive and reserved towards the other members of the pack, pressured by a constant need to prove themselves worthy to their peers. Perhaps he felt no such need in Ava company, I myself find comfort having her around.