The floor drops out.
There it is.
Another alpha who doesn't think I'm good enough.
Good enough to help. Good enough to save. But not good enough to keep.
The rejection hits somewhere deep inside me. I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask for them. But to hear that they might not even want me...
I turn away. "Right. Of course."
"Vee—"
The front door slams.
We all freeze.
I hear footsteps in the hallway before Arden appears in the doorway with his leather bag in hand. His expression is calm.Like walking into a room full of tension is what he does every day.
Maybe it is.
"Hey, Vee." He’s calm as ever. Grounding.
I almost laugh.
Almost cry.
A familiar face. Someone not connected to Ragon's pack or Alex's pack. Someone neutral.
"How are you here?" I ask.
He sets his bag down. "Chase thought you'd need me."
Of course.
Chase. Always Chase in the background pulling strings.
But Chase was right.
Idoneed him.
"Will you talk to me?" Arden asks.
I nod.
He looks at the others. "Give us the room?"
They hesitate.
Then Malcolm stands. Finn follows. Alex lingers. His eyes on me.
Then he leaves too.
The door clicks shut.
Arden gestures to the bed. "Sit. Get comfy."
I do.
