"Of course you didn't," Jasper says. "That's why Arden told us to get outside perspective. Knowing you're biased doesn't make you evil, Ragon. Refusing to adjust when you see the bias does."
Marie jerks upright in Drake's lap, eyes blazing. "I am not being put out. I'm the scent match. I'm important. I didn't ask for any of this and I do not deserve to be sent away because Vee can't handle being an omega anymore."
The words land hard.
Ragon's gaze snaps to her. "No one said anything about putting you out,” but his tone is careful now. "Arden only suggested—"
"Arden suggested removing the trigger from the environment," Jasper says. "That means Marie. At least temporarily."
Marie rounds on him, eyes wet. "I'm a person, not a trigger."
"You're both. So am I. So is Ragon. That's the point. The fact that she can't even look at your door without hurting means your presence hurts her. That doesn't make you a villain, Marie. It makes the situation untenable."
Marie throws up her hands. "I won't do it. I won't be shoved into some sad little apartment like a dirty secret while Vee monopolizes my alphas and paints herself as some tragic wounded bird."
My stomach twists. I'm half tempted to applaud the creativity on that metaphor.
Ragon rubs a hand over his face, fingers digging into his eyes. "It wouldn't be like that. It would be temporary. Just while we get Vee stable. I'd still— we'd still take care of you." His jaw tics. "We could cover rent. Make sure you're safe. Visit. It's not exile, Marie."
Drake stiffens. "You want us to just send her off to live in some apartment? Like we're divorcing her? There has to be a better way."
"If you have one, I'm listening," Jasper says. "Besides the current strategy of 'pretend time will fix it'."
Their scents are starting to spike and clash again.
That's enough.
"Stop," I say.
Four heads whip toward me. Marie and Drake startle; they hadn't clocked me in the doorway.
I step into the room, fingers slipping into the hem of my oversized t-shirt. I resist the urge to fold them.
"I'm awake. And since you're all shouting about me, I'm pretty sure I get a vote."
"Vee," Eli breathes, shoulders sagging with relief and dread.
"Verena." Ragon's voice gentles instantly. "We didn't mean to wake you, sweetheart."
"You did. But that's okay. Better than waking up to someone in my bed."
I walk around the edge of the coffee table and lean my hip against the arm of the farthest chair, keeping distance between us like a moat.
"You don't have to send Marie away. I'm fine."
"No, you're not," Eli says immediately.
"I am. At least enough that I don't need you uprooting your lives for my issues."
"You shed your nest," Jasper says. "That is not an 'issue,' Vee, it's—"
"I don't hurt. I'm functioning. I'm cooking, I'm cleaning, I'm gardening. I'm not having meltdowns. You don't need to rearrange yourselves for me. I can handle it."
"That's not what 'fine' means," Eli mutters.
"And if someone has to go, it doesn't need to be Marie. She's right, she didn't ask for this. You found her, you wanted her, you picked her. She shouldn't be exiled for being exactly what you wanted."
Marie stares at me like she can't decide if she's grateful or suspicious.
