But I doubt he'd know how to handle it. He’d probably think I’m dying and tear everyone apart.
Geo steps closer, his scent surprisingly pleasant. Earthy and solid, like stone after a warm rain. He looks like he’d smell like cigars and whiskey, but while there is that slight undertone clinging to him, it isn’t part of his scent. I’m not used to alphas that smell good to me. Guess life’s full of fucking surprises rightnow. I let him reach for my arms, adjusting my stance with his rough, warm palms, but keeps a respectful distance.
The proximity doesn't bother me like it usually would, and it isn’t just because I don’t find his scent off-putting. I don't want to think too much about that, either. Not when everything else is already falling apart.
"Square your shoulders," he instructs, his breath tickling my hair. "Feet apart. Both eyes open. And breathe—that's the most important part. Breathe out when you squeeze the trigger."
I follow his directions, focusing on my breathing. In, out. In, out. The simple rhythm helps me channel the chaos of my emotions, gives me something to concentrate on besides the gaping hole where my future used to be.
I squeeze the trigger on an exhale.
The shot hits the target, nowhere close to dead center, but closer than before.
"Again," Geo says.
I fire twice more, each shot hitting the target.
"Not bad," he grunts, almost sounding impressed. "It helps if you picture someone you're pissed at."
An image immediately pops into mind.
Monty's smug face, his possessive touch, the way he paraded me around like a prized mare at auction. My father's indifferent gaze as he sold me to that monster.
His wretched fucking parties.
I fire.
Bullseye.
Geo chuckles. "Nice. Imagining the prince?"
"No," I mutter, taking aim again. "My husband."
A beat of silence follows, and I can feel Geo reassessing me, putting together pieces of a puzzle I didn't realize I'd scattered.
The hatch creaks again. No surprise there. I knew they wouldn't stay away long. Raven emerges first, golden hair catching the dull light. Knight follows, his massive frame barely fitting through the opening. He gives a low growl at Raven, who looks disheveled, like they'd had a confrontation on the ladder.
"Oh, good, we've moved on to the killing phase," Raven says brightly, though his eyes search mine anxiously. "I'm better at that. Just point me in his direction and say the word."
I lower the gun, suddenly exhausted. "No one is killing anyone."
The worry on Raven's face is genuine, though he tries to mask it with a casual shrug. "So, what does this mean, then?" He hesitates. "Are you still planning to leave today?"
I can hear the hope he's trying to hide, and it twists something inside me. One more alpha who thinks he has a claim over me. But unlike the others, he's been honest about it from the start, hasn't he?
"I don't know what I'm going to do," I mutter, looking up at the angry, churning sky. "But the weather's shit. No point in going anywhere today."
I hand the gun back to Geo and head toward the hatch. I need time to think. Time to process. Time to decide what to do now that the future I'd been clinging to has shattered at my feet.
Knight falls into step beside me, his silent, steady presence the only thing that feels solid right now. I don't look back to see if Raven and Geo are following.
One more day in this strange underground refuge. One more day to figure out who the hell I am without Azarel at the center of my plans.
One more day to decide if I even want to find him anymore.
Chapter 2
AZAREL
