"I did understand. I do understand." He says it like he's being perfectly reasonable. "But I also found a solution. Ryan and Joel helped me see things more clearly?—"
"More clearly?" The words taste bitter.
"We've talked about it extensively. About what omegas need, what makes a healthy pack." He's got that conviction in his voice now, like he's quoting someone. "Family first, then career. That's the natural order. You just had the timeline wrong."
Oh.Understanding crashes over me. He hasn't changed his mind. His new pack has reinforced his beliefs, made him more certain he knows what's best. The Terrance who accepted our breakup is gone, replaced by this version who thinks he's found all the answers.
"Bea, you need to be realistic." His voice takes on that patient tone I've come to hate. "You can't build a business while raising young children. It's not practical."
"Plenty of omegas do."
"Sure, with help. But why struggle when you don't have to?" He reaches out like he wants to touch my arm, then seems to think better of it and lets his hand drop. "We'd take care of everything. You could focus on being a mother first, then pursue your hobbies?—"
"My career isn't a hobby."
"I didn't mean it like that." Frustration creeps into his voice. "I'm trying to give you everything, Bea. A pack, a family, security. And you're throwing it away for what? Some pipe dream about running a business?"
"It's not a pipe dream. It's my future."
"Then build it later!" His voice rises slightly, and a few people glance our way. He takes a breath, clearly trying to calm himself. "Look, I get it. You're young. You think you want independence. But Ryan and Joel have helped me understand—no alpha is going to support you putting career before pack. That's just not how it works. I'm offering you the best of both worlds, just in the right order."
My hands clench into fists. This isn't the Terrance I broke up with. That Terrance had looked sad but accepted my choice. Two other alphas telling him he's right has reinforced this one.
"Maybe I'll find an alpha who does."
"You won't." He says it with such certainty. "I've talked to Ryan and Joel about this. We all agree—family comes first, then career. That's the natural order. You're fighting biology, and you're going to end up alone and miserable."
People are definitely watching now. I can feel their stares, hear the whispers starting. This is exactly what I didn't want. A public scene, everyone judging.
"I'm not fighting biology," I hiss. "I'm fighting your expectations."
"Because you're scared." His voice softens, turns pleading. "Bea, I love you. We could be so good together. The pack is ready. We're just waiting for you to say yes."
"I'm saying no."
"You don't mean that."
"I absolutely mean that."
"Then why are you here alone?" He gestures around the festival. "Why aren't you with someone else if I'm so wrong for you? It's been a month, Bea. If you really wanted something different, you'd have found it by now."
My throat tightens. He's being pushy, not listening, still so convinced he knows what's best for me. And the terrible thing is—he genuinely believes he's offering me everything I could want.
He just doesn't understand that what I want isn't what he's offering.
"Is there someone else?" he asks, and there's a challenge in it now. "Someone who magically supports all these dreams you have?"
I open my mouth. Close it. Try to find words that will make him understand.
And that's when I realize Seth is still there.
Just a few feet away, pretending to examine the handmade soap display but clearly keeping an eye on the situation. His posture has shifted—no longer relaxed, but alert. Protective without being intrusive.
Our eyes meet.
He straightens immediately, his expression shifting from concerned to ready-to-help. He can see Terrance standing too close. Can probably read the tension in my posture, smell the panic in my scent.
An idea forms—reckless, stupid, absolutely insane.
