Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 155

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Thu, Jul 9

Where The Ice Gives Way

Chapter 155 Trauma Stories

Charlotte

Emily stays fucked against me for a while. The concrete floor is cold beneath my knees, and Blake’s hoodie is damp where she has cried into it, but I don’t inove. I keep one arm around her shoulders and my other hand in her tangled hair, smoothing it back from her face in slow strokes. I glance toward Gareth. Where will she stay now? I ask through the link, carefully reaching for him the way Shanti has been teaching me. Gareth’s eyes move to mine. We’ve got a temporary building set up beside the rehabilitation house. It isn’t much yet, but it’s warm and secure. We’ll just need to put supplies in there.

I look down at Emily. She is listening to every sound around her, every movement, every breath. Maybe don’t have Theo put those supplies in there.

Gareth’s expression softens with understanding. Agreed. Then he steps forward and speaks out loud softly.

“Emily, we’re going to step out for a moment and give you some privacy to get dressed.”

Emily’s hands tighten in the blanket again. “You don’t have to rush,” he continues. “Take your time. Charlo

the do

will be right outside

e, and I nod with a smile. “I’m not going far.”

hard she swallows as she looks up at Gareth. He lowers himself into a crouch

the Wellington pack,” he says. “My name is Gareth Atlas. I’m

The Alpha here.”

SO

not towering over us anymore.

Des still at the word Alpha, and I’m sure Gareth sees it because he pauses. “You are safe here,” he says. “And you are e here. We’re building this place because we don’t believe every rogue should be put down when there may still be a person ed underneath. Some will be too far gone or too dangerous, but if there is a chance to bring someone back like you, we want to

mily looks at the blanket around her hands, fidgeting with the threads there. “We’ll have doctors check you over. You’ll have food, warmth, somewhere private to sleep, and people who can help you adjust. We’re setting up a rehabilitation building, so anyone who returns has support before they’re asked to step back into pack life.” Gareth smiles at her. “You’ll be the very first one to experience what we’d like to give back to the world.”

The room goes quiet except for the distant growls behind other doors, and Emily’s voice comes out small. “That’s a very nice thing

to do.”

He nods once. “It’s the right thin

Emily looks like she does

let go. My legs ache

clothes Theo left a

How are you

O

feeling all too well. I squeeze her hand lightly before I

e right outside,” I tell Emily, picking up the bundle of

door is between us, Blake turns to me.

O

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Chapter 155 Trauma Stories

“I won’t lie and say that didn’t take it out of me, but I’m okay.” I give him a small smile, and he comes behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean back against him for support, and warmth, and simply because I can

The cell door opens a few minutes later. Emily stands in oversized clothes, the sleeves falling past her wrists, and the sweatpants rolled several times at the waist. Her hair is still tangled, and her face is pale and blotchy from crying,

Gareth smiles gently. “Let’s get you out of here and somewhere more comfortable.”

Emily looks at me first, so I hold out may hand, stepping away from Blake. She takes it, and together we walk through the corridors The growls rise as we pass, but Emily keeps her eyes on the floor and her fingers locked around mine. Every time/one of the doors rattles, she flinches and jumps a little. “You’re okay,” I whisper each time. I don’t know if she believes me, but she keeps walking

Emily clutches my fingers harder as we cross the yard. We head towards the rehabilitation building that stands half-finished under tarps and scaffolding. We veer off to the side of it, where I see a smaller temporary building with warm light glowing through the windows. I also see Theo near the tree line. He stands far enough away that I’m sure Emily won’t see him as anyone other than a patrol member, but I bet she can feel him through that bond. Emily’s hand tightens around mine, and I watch as Theo lowers his

gaze and turns his body away.

Inside the building, there is a small kitchenette with a little fridge, a kettle, a sink, and two cupboards. A bed sits along one wall,

with plain blankets folded at the foot, and a small table with two chairs. I check the bathroom and find a basket of basic things on the bench, including towels, soap, a toothbrush, and a hairbrush still in its packet. It is simple but warm with the heater on, and it has everything anyone would need to start rebuilding their life. “I know it’s not much,” I say, closing the door behind us while Blake and Gareth remain outside. “We weren’t exactly ready to start bringing rogues back.” I give her a small smile. “You’re actually the

first one I’ve brought back since I lost my memory.”

Her brown eyes flick to mine with interest. “You lost your memory?”

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