Chapter 40-3

Aiden was instantly wrapping an arm around her waist, hugging her against his side in comfort. She snuggled into his hold, no longer having any reason to be discreet about it. "Now how do you fit into all this?" He asked Alec, who was walking closely behind Leo. "Some of the locals were being assholes, and that was that. I wandered away from the main party to cool off. I found Marley struggling to hold Elena up. Offered to help. And now we're here." "I'm glad you're both okay." Marley reassured, but she wanted to shake Elena awake and ask her what happened to her. "Was she-" Marley cut herself off, her voice breaking off in pain as her eyes fell on her muddy, bare feet. There was a story here, a big one. Something happened, and it wasn't good. How bad it was, only Elena could say. "Shh, calm down, okay? We'll figure it out. I'm here. You're safe, and now so is she." Aiden's lips pressed against her temple and