The fucker was dead. The piece of shit had been smashed up like he deserved and left to die in the disgusting old house he'd lived in. And Kaden was alive, and had actual hope for an actual future, not just being dragged into the horrible shit that Ares would've had in store for him. Kaden would've been dead before that initiation duel, and if he wasn't, well...
Kaden was hiding his face in her shoulder and making tiny snuffling noises as he breathed through his teeth. He was getting tall now, taller than her, but she held onto him just as tight as he gripped her. "You have me," she said, her voice rough with emotion. "Whatever- whatever happens- you have me."