We pull into the gym parking lot. Alex parks close to the entrance and turns off the engine.
"You don't have to wait. I can take the bus home."
His head snaps toward me. "Absolutely not."
"It's really not a big deal."
"And I don't care. That's not safe. I'm happy to wait. I'll get some work done on my phone."
He reaches for the door handle, then pauses.
"Actually, I'll sit on one of those benches by the lockers. That way you don't feel like I'm hovering."
I blink. "Inside?"
"Yeah."
"My alphas usually wait in the car."
Alex turns fully toward me now, eyebrows lifting. "They what?"
"They— They wait. It's easier. You'll be more comfortable here."
"I'd rather come inside."
There's no anger in it. No edge. Just certainty.
I hesitate. "Please. It's fine. It's only an hour."
His jaw tightens. He studies my face for a long moment.
"...Alright. But I don't like it."
I give him a small, grateful smile and grab my bag, exiting before he changes his mind.
Inside, the gym hits me like it always does—rubber mats, sweat, citrus cleaner, music pulsing through the space. It's loud and alive and grounding.
"Vee!" Jess waves from across the room.
Noah jogs over, grinning. "We thought you bailed."
"Never," I laugh, falling into step with them.
Warm-ups start. Jess cracks jokes. Noah exaggerates his movements until the instructor glares at him. I laugh harder than I have all day.
"On five, we turn," Jess says, already half laughing. "And by 'we' I mean Vee, because Noah's hips are still on strike."
"My hips are in a union," Noah protests, rolling them outrageously. "Demanding better music and hazard pay."
"Hazard pay for what?" I manage between breaths. "Existing in a body that refuses to obey?"
"For being this hot," Noah deadpans, then winks at me. "Focus. Chest proud, chin up. You're shrinking again."
I lift my sternum and lengthen my neck. My shoulders want to creep toward my ears out of habit. I force them down.
Jess slides in on my left, voice low. "Touch?"
"Yes," I say.
