He's going topunishme.
The fear is automatic, ingrained. My hands shake as I stagger toward the door, not even bothering to grab my hoodie.
I yank the door open and bolt straight into a solid chest.
Strong hands come up immediately, gripping my arms to keep me from bouncing off entirely.
"Vee—hey. Whoa. Easy."
Alex.
I barely register him beyond the fact that he's there, blocking my escape. I try to pull back, panic roaring in my ears.
"I have to go," I babble, words tumbling over each other. "I didn't go home, I—I shouldn't be here, Ragon's going to—he's going to be so angry, he's going to punish me again—"
Alex growls.
It's low and sharp and absolutely not directed at me.
"What did you just say?"
His hands tighten—not painfully, but firmly—anchoring me in place. I shake my head, breath hitching, tears burning behind my eyes.
"He'll punish me again. I left and I wasn't supposed to and he's going to think I ran away and he'll—"
"No," Alex says, voice firm, cutting cleanly through my spiral. "That's not happening."
I laugh hysterically, the sound broken. "You can't stop it. He's my alpha."
Alex's eyes darken.
"He won't touch you."
I stare at him, disbelieving. "You can't promise that."
"I can," he says, without hesitation.
Behind me, I hear movement.
Finn's voice, soft but urgent. "Vee?"
I turn just as Finn steps into the hallway, concern written all over his face. He's fully dressed now, hair still a little mussed from sleep, eyes sharp.
He moves closer, careful not to crowd me.
"It's okay. You're safe. You didn't do anything wrong."
I shake my head violently. "I disobeyed him. I didn't mean to stay away so long. I just—I was so warm and comfy—I guess I fell asleep."
"You left a situation that was hurting you," Finn corrects gently.
"That doesn't matter. He told me to stay."
Footsteps pad down the hall behind Finn.
Malcolm steps out of his room, shirtless, wearing only pajama bottoms slung low on his hips. He stops short when he sees me, eyes immediately softening.
My gaze drops without permission.
