Arden makes several notes before finally looking up.
"Observations. Vee shows the highest comfort response with Jasper. Minimal threat association. With Eli—there's significant confusion. He was your primary comfort source, but also the one who physically restrained you during extreme emotional pain. Your body hasn't reconciled those two truths yet."
Eli closes his eyes.
"With Drake, the familiarity triggers unease rather than safety. And with Ragon—" he pauses, meeting Ragon's gaze, "—there's a strong trauma response."
Silence settles over the room.
"And Vee, your willingness to continue despite visible distress is important data. Your omega instincts are still driving appeasement behaviors—even extending toward alphas you aren't bonded to in any way."
He gestures briefly to himself.
I look down at my hands, shame and confusion twisting together.
"We'll try this again later. After you've had some more time. Remember this isn't a race back to normalcy. Healing takes time and it's best not to rush it."
No one argues.
And for the first time since the session began, I realize how exhausted I am—how much of myself I've been holding together with sheer willpower alone.
"Let's bring Marie in," Arden says calmly.
The words alone change the air.
Drake goes to her room to retrieve her, returning quickly.
When she enters, the space feels smaller—walls closer, ceiling lower, the room suddenly crowded. Every alpha in the room shifts, attention recalibrating, scents tightening.
Arden gestures to the chair directly across from me.
"Sit here."
Marie hesitates, eyes flicking to Ragon first. Whatever reassurance she expects doesn't come. His posture is rigid, arms crossed, expression closed off.
She sits.
The distance between us isn't far, but it feels exposed. I fold inward automatically, shoulders drawing in, hands clasping together.
"Marie," Arden says evenly, "we need to address your behavior toward Vee."
Marie's eyes widen. "What?"
"You've engaged in repeated cruel teasing. Public accusations. Hostile framing of events. Including your statements about what happened at the zoo, during the poker game, and ongoing comments suggesting Vee is unstable or dangerous. And statements that you have a stronger hold on your pack than she does."
"That's ridiculous," Marie snaps.
Her posture goes defensive instantly—spine straightening, chin lifting, arms crossing tight. "Everything I've done has been in response to her jealousy."
She gestures sharply at me.
"She tried to kill me at the zoo. Everyone keeps pretending that didn't happen. She's dangerous, and you all know it."
My stomach drops.
"She should be the one kicked out," Marie presses, emboldened now. "But my alphas feel so sorry for her that they keep her around anyway. Even though she's a threat."
The words are harsh, but she doesn’t stop.
