We're Still Standing...Book 5

Repairing What Is Broken

Kaiden POV 

Life has been hell more than hell itself. At least Zeke is finally feeling like himself inside and outside compared to when he just felt like a male on the inside. As for Julian things have been… not so great, he's been isolating himself a lot more since waking up. Not even the kids can put a smile on his face anymore, he's dead to the world. The only time I ever hear a word from him is when we're doing his therapy or when he falls and curses at how weak he is. I've given so much of my venom the last two months he's been home and it amazes me he's not healed yet.

It's quite frustrating to see your mate feel so defeated and to make matters worse, Jaylen ordered someone to watch him at all times. He tried killing himself last month by dropping a radio in the tub while soaking after our sessions. We asked why but he just sighed looking at us with a dead expression and I could feel he's at wit's end.

He hasn't made any progress within the last few months so he's gone back on his word to never attempt suicide again. I can sense when someone is about to die and he has six months minimum. If he doesn't start walking soon I'm afraid we'll lose him for good.

Zander feels it too with his angel powers and there's not a day now he doesn't cry himself to sleep or watching Julian every moment he gets. He's even dreading going to Alpha camp because he knows anything could happen to Julian and he'll feel it was his fault due to him seeing Julian die and he didn't stop it. With everything going on we have yet to tell him we're his mates or that we're supernatural. We don't want to overwhelm him more than he already is.

Speaking of overwhelming, the kids have been feeling the aura of the room and so they no longer stay in the Alpha suite with us, they stay with Collen's brother and his husbands with a barrier that prevents them from feeling our emotions. I miss them with my whole heart but we all made the conscious decision that being here was not right nor safe for them anymore, just yesterday Julian threw a vase at Brandon barely missing his head because Brandon didn't knock before coming into the room.

"Well, he's still not talking to anyone." I looked up from the window in the living area as I was seated on the couch and looked up at Zander. His eyes are sunken in and his hair is a mess. We all pretty much gave up on looking presentable while being in the house. 

"I know, but what more can we do? We talked to the goddesses Skylar knows, I talked to my father since there's always a reason for everything and he just spouted some Yoda nonsense making up excuses about why Julian of all people was dealt such a fucked up hand but whatever. At this point what's the point of me using my powers for good if I can't help my mate? Might as well go back to causing hell, at least I was good at that." I don't actually mean the 'going back to being evil' but everything else was pretty much true. 

"I know, it's frustrating, I can feel my angel spirit going dark too." He sighed flopping on the couch next to me. 

"Is Zeke ok? I know the stress he's been under affected the healing process of his chest, I hope they're healing alright." I groaned, rubbing my face. Why can't shit go as planned? All we want is to live life together, raise a family, see our kids have kids, and die in peace. Is that too much to ask for? I surely don't think so.

"Jacob mentioned a rehabilitation home, place, thing for injured military to go and get whatever help they need. Maybe this is just not meant to be and he's meant to be helped by people with experience and have knowledge about wounded warriors and rehabilitation. We can't keep doing this if we're just killing ourselves trying to help someone who may have to face their new reality but we can't do it anymore. It's been a year since he's been shot, he's had about four months of therapy and still can't stand without falling. If rehab can't help he may need to be put in a home. He may be our mate but we have literally put our lives on hold just to take care of him. I mean Zeke and I almost had to drop out of school, papa is thinking about giving the Alpha title to Maria. Our lives are falling apart and we don't have the help either." Zander rambled venting his emotions and I can understand why. Zeke is about done too, I mean he's going through transition to be who he's meant to be. We can't take that from him just because we have no idea what to do with Julian.