Behind the Trees.

Chapter 15

Summer P.O.V

"I think we should take this into the living room." Kayden sighed turning away. I followed him into the living room as he called the others in too. I sat down on the couch and clasped my hands as Alec and Levi sat on either side of me.

Kayden spoke quietly to Levi who suddenly looked nervous. Levi cleared his throat and rubbed his hands together.

"I know I've hurt you all the past three years and I'm sorry of that I really am. You guys have no idea how bad I wanted to talk to you. To hear your voices and hear how you were doing. I missed you all so much." He swallowed hard.

"But the reason I only spoke to Kayden was I was because I was forbidden any contact with anyone but him."

"Forbidden?" Alec scowled.

Levi nodded.

"I wasn't locked in that cell like you thought. I was sent back into the rebels camp to get information on their plans and other locations through out the country. I was betraying my people but...I'd do anything to be with you guys again so I did it. My contact was Kayden. Every month as you know I'd call to give him all I knew and he'd relay it to his contacts. Kayden couldn't tell you because he was forbidden too like me and if we did tell you it could comprise my cover."

"We wouldn't have said anything!" Matt protested angrily.

"We know that." Kayden said gently. "But we had our orders and it was just safer for everyone. I'm sorry I-we hurt your feelings."

"Your home early. Is there a reason for that?" Matt asked.

Levi grimaced. "I--uh got caught on the phone with Kayden and was labeled a traitor. Escaping took time."

My eyes widen in horror. "Were you hurt?"

Levi quickly shook his head but Kayden frowned at him. "Don't lie their going to see it anyways."

"See what?" I panicked.  

Levi glared at Kayden before slowly turned around and tugging off his shirt. I gasped in horror at what I saw. Huge painful scars were slashed across the soft flesh of his back over lapping each other.

He'd been whipped.

I quickly went to him gently touching his back with my fingers. He tensed but relaxed when I kissed his scars. I felt tears well in my eyes and one roll down my cheek. My mate had been hurt and I hadn't been there. The only way he could get scars like these is if silver was involved and that had to be extremely painful.

Oh my poor baby.

I started to cry in earnest now and Levi turned around before grasping me around the waist and picking me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and legs around his waist as he rubbed my back as I cried. It was stupid that he was comforting me when he was the one who had been hurt.

"Shh it's okay. I'm okay." He cooed in my ear.

"No its not! They hurt you, they could have killed you!"

"But they didn't I got away and I'm home now. I'm sorry for being so secretive. I just wanted to keep you guys safe."

"They couldn't know about you guys and the kids and no one knows I'm mated expect our parents. I have no connection to royalty in this country and Levi would only speak to me, it was the safest bet. I know it hurt you the most Summer I'm sorry." Kayden said softly.

I sniffled and rubbed my face. "Just...don't do it again."

They all chuckled and soon we were in a group hug me and Levi in the center.

"No more secrets between us okay? I don't like the distance it puts between us. The only way this works so well is because were honest and open with each other. I love you all so much and I don't know what I would do if I lost one of you. We're finally all together again and I want to enjoy the most of it. "

"We have plenty of time baby I'm not going anywhere. I worked to hard to get back to you all." Levi laughed.

"I love you guys." Levi grinned. "Even you Kayden."

Kayden rolled his eyes but a small smile twitched his lips and I was stunned when he leaned forward and kissed the side of Levi's head.

"Your still an asshole and I still don't like you but I love you too. Damn mating bond." Kayden muttered the last part looking really annoyed.

"Well how about I make up for being an asshole? It is your birthday after all." With that Levi grabbed Kayden's hand and took us into the bedroom where we all wished Kayden a very happy birthday. It was the best of my night.

An for the first time in years I went to bed with all four of mates laying with me our bodies tangled becoming one.

I finally had my family togeather and the future looked so bright now. I thanked the day I ran into the woods. The day I choose to look behind the trees.