Her Son Kaden

59| Smoke-filled Sunset

"The scent of smoke hung in the air, making the animals hesitant to go further, in fear of a fire."

Amelia's POV

My eyes peeled open to a dimly lit room and after checking my phone I frowned. I had only slept about twenty minutes.

I sat up with a sigh after looking at the empty space beside me. Was Kaden still outside?

I slowly got out of bed and glanced around the room to find he indeed wasn't here. I frowned and walked toward the door before slipping out and making my way down the hall. I followed his scent down the flight of stairs and paused as it was thrown around the living room. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my confused nerves.

As I stood there the sound of pounding feet caught my attention. I raised my eyebrows and made my way toward the front door.

I listened through the door and soon enough heard the gruff voice of my mate. I opened the door a little and peeked outside into the fading daylight.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck." Kaden growled as he paced on the porch. I frowned in confusion at a soft, repetitive scraping noise. Kaden's back was to me. His words were still slurred and I glanced around to find two empty beer cans. I sighed and slipped outside and shut the door softly behind me.

I walked towards him and saw a spark of light which then disappeared before Kaden let out a frustrated huff.

"What's wrong?" I asked and he jumped and whirled around.

A cigarette hung out of his mouth, clinging to his surprised lips. I frowned at the little white and orange roll of poison laced with nicotine.

Kaden gave me a look before running a hand through his messy hair. His eyes squinted a little as he gazed at me.

"Yougotta light?" He slurred and I scowled. His eyes studied me before he huffed.

"Hell whyam I askingyou?" He said shaking his head and messing with the lighter in his hand. He put it up to the cigarette's end and his thumb flicked as he tried to get it working.

"Since when do you smoke?" I asked and Kaden growled at the lighter.

"Since I wanna." He snapped and continued to fiddle with the lighter. Finally he got a flame and lit the cigarette. He tucked the lighter back in his pocket.

He sighed and sucked in a breath before gripping the cigarette in between his pointer and middle finger. He pulled it away from his mouth and blew out a cloud of foul smoke. My nose wrinkled as it tainted my nostrils and I coughed and waved my hand in front of my face.

"Youwantone?" He slurred and began reaching in his other pocket.

"No. I'm going back to bed. Brush your teeth afterwards. Take a shower. Something. I don't want to be smelling smoke." I said and shook my head before turning to go back inside.

"Wait. Stay outsidewih me." He said and I glanced back at him to find him staring at me with the cigarette poking out from the side of his mouth.

"Okay..." I said and walked over to him and he threw an arm around my shoulder.

We stood on the side of the porch looking out at the forest.

"You know I used t- bring Emma ouhere?" Kaden said in an almost sad voice. I looked to him and coughed as I inhaled more smoke.

"Who's Emma?" I asked and he looked at me lazily. He held a soft frown that faded to a dorky smile.

"Shewamybestfriend. Best friend. I lovedher." Kaden said and took another puff of the cigarette. By now Rain was growling angrily.

"She died." Kaden sighed staring back out at the forest. Rain immediately stopped growling.

I watched silently as Kaden pointed off into the distance.

"Rouges gother... o'rthere." He said and his arm fell back to his side.

I glanced to the dark woods and frowned softly. The sun was dipping behind the canopy and I glanced at Kaden to find him looking at me.

He took another puff before sighing, "You're nothin'like her." He gave a soft shake of his head before turning and walking toward the door. I scowled and shuffled my feet before following him. Okay then...

I picked up the empty beer cans and tossed them into a trashcan that was mere feet away. Kaden then flicked the still slightly burning end to the ground and I glanced at his retreating form before stomping out the cigarette and tailing him inside.

I shut the door behind me and sighed as Kaden disappeared around the corner before I heard a thud and a flurry of curses. I raised my eyebrows and went around to find him beginning to stand up while muttering angrily.

"You okay?" I asked softly and he looked up at me and nodded.

"Yeah, fell." He grunted and made his way back toward our room. I shrugged to myself and followed him closely, ready to help him if needed.

We made it to the room without anymore falls and Kaden stumbled to the bathroom. I let out a breath and climbed into bed.

I listened to the water beginning to run and I glanced to the bathroom to see Kaden fumbling with his toothbrush. He frowned softly and squeezed toothpaste out on his toothbrush before dampening it in water and starting to brush his teeth.

When he was done he left the restroom and clambered into bed beside me.

"I'm goin't-sleep." He announced and I nodded before pulling the sheets over my head and burying my face in a pillow. The soft drone of the fan hummed in the air and I took a deep breath before closing my eyes.

"Amelia." Kaden said suddenly and I sighed and raised my eyebrows but didn't open my eyes.

"Yes?" I asked softly trying not to flinch as his arm suddenly laid against my waist.

"I'm goin't-sleep."

"You already said that Kaden." I breathed with a small smirk forming on my lips.

"Oh... night." He said and I let myself fall asleep.

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