Chapter 732: The Things They Carried

Annabeth could argue with him.

She could tell him he was wrong. She could insist that he did not understand. She could point out a dozen different reasons why she should feel guilty.

But deep down, she knew he was right.

That was what made it hurt even more.

She could not take responsibility for another person’s choices. She could not carry guilt that did not belong to her. Josiah had made his own decisions. Whatever happened to him now would be the consequence of those decisions.

Yet knowing that did not make the ache in her chest disappear.

Because this was not some stranger.

This was Josiah.

A man she had known for years.

A man who had shared meals with her people.

A man who had stood beside them through difficult times.

A man who had comforted frightened children and offered guidance to younger pack members when they needed it.

For many of them, Josiah had been a father figure. But most of all, he was family.

And now he was sitting behind bars.

The thought made her stomach twist.

There was also another part of her she hated admitting existed.

A selfish part that wished it had been someone else.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, guilt followed immediately after.

The Nightshade Pack had welcomed them.

Protected them, fed them and given them homes.

She should not be wishing that they suffered this instead.

She knew that.

Yet she could not help it.

Because this hurt.

Her throat tightened.

Why? Why couldn’t Victoria simply leave them alone? Why couldn’t she be satisfied with what she already had?

Even from miles away, she still found ways to hurt people.

She still found ways to manipulate them. She still found ways to destroy lives.

And all because she wanted what her daughter possessed.

All because she wanted power that was not hers.

Annabeth felt fresh tears spill down her cheeks.

She was tired of crying.

Tired of feeling helpless.

Tired of watching people suffer because of Victoria.

Yet no matter how much she wanted the tears to stop, they continued.

She lowered her head and the room around her blurred.

At some point, Ronan rose from his chair. She did not even notice him move.

The next thing she knew, strong arms were wrapping around her and she found herself pressed against his chest.

He said nothing. He did not offer advice. He did not try to force optimism where it did not belong.

Instead, he simply held her.

One hand rested against her back, moving slowly in soothing circles.

The steady rhythm grounded her. And she let everything out.

Minutes passed and Annabeth eventually found herself relaxing against him despite everything.

The tension in her shoulders eased.

Her breathing steadied.

And somewhere beneath the sadness and frustration, another realization settled quietly.

She was getting attached to him. Far more attached than she had intended. The realization should have frightened her.

Instead, it felt strangely comforting.

---

Sunlight filtered through the window in Orion’s home, painting pale streaks across the floor.

Sophia sat at the table wrapped in one of Orion’s tunics which was quite oversized on her small frame. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

A steaming cup sat between her hands.

She looked far better than she had the previous night.

The exhaustion from whatever ability she had used on Josiah had mostly faded.

Though Orion still thought she looked tired.

She had already caught him staring at her three times.

The fourth time earned him a look.

"What?"

"You pushed yourself too hard."

Sophia rolled her eyes.

"You have made that extremely clear already."

"And I’ll say it even more."

She opened her mouth to reply when a knock sounded on the door.

Both of them paused.

Sophia immediately glanced toward Orion.

They already recognized the scent.

He stood and walked toward the entrance.

When he opened the door, Brynhild stood outside with snow dusting her shoulders.

A frown immediately appeared on Orion’s face.

"Brynhild," he said. "What’s—"

"I’m sorry."

The words came out before he could finish his words.

Brynhild rubbed the back of her neck.

"I told the guards to remain vigilant but..."

Her gaze shifted moving all over his face.

"Josiah tried to kill himself."

Orion blinked once.

Then he nodded.

"Okay."

Brynhild frowned at that.

"That was not the reaction I expected." She said with a laugh.

"You expected him to show more concern right?" Sophia asked from where she sat.

Brynhild nodded. "Yes."

Orion shrugged still calm.

"He didn’t succeed though so why should I be concerned?" He asked.

Brynhild paused at that and then laughed again.

"No."

Orion nodded.

"Then we’re good."

The amusement faded slightly after that.

"He’s at the medical facility now," Brynhild continued. "Lysander stabilized him. He’s also been cuffed to the bedposts per his request."

"How exactly did he try to do it?" Sophia asked. "There no weapons in the cell right?"

Brynhild nooded. "There were not. But that doesn’t mean one needs weapons to kill themselves." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "Whatever Josiah used was more like a hidden compartment within his teeth. Biting down on it would release poison, sending it straight to the bloodstream and then to the brain. It would kill whoever had it within minutes."

Sophia’s eyes lit up, a spark of genuine intrigue flashing across her face. "That’s actually—"

"Shorty, this is not the time to be intrigued about that device," Orion cut her off, though there was no real heat in his voice.

"But it sounds—"

"Let’s keep the curiosity to a minimum, shorty. And perhaps the enthusiasm too." He reached back and gently tapped her forehead with two fingers. "We have much to do, after all."

Brynhild chuckled at the exchange, the sound warm despite the grim news she had delivered.

"Don’t worry, Sophia," she said. "I’ll meet with some others, and if I can get explanations on how that device works, I’ll let you know."

Orion rolled his eyes, but then, suddenly, all humor vanished from his face. His expression shifted into something harder, something colder.

"Tell Lysander to make sure Josiah doesn’t die," he said to Brynhild, his voice low and steady. "No matter how many times he tries to kill himself. Keep him alive."

Brynhild nodded, a slow smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. "You know," she said, "you are one of the reasons my husband has a sadistic side."

Orion chuckled, the sound dry and unapologetic. "I only encourage it," he told her.

Brynhild smiled, then gave them a small wave. "I’ll see you guys later."