"You're not your family, Calder."
I stroke her fingers, twisting them around in my hand, hardly daring to look at her.
"What did you do when I was in heat?" she asks.
"I stayed close. Left a note. Protected you…" That’s the punch line.
"You gave me a choice." Elowen tilts my face towards her. "Is that what your family would’ve done?"
“Ha! Probably not.” My jaw is clenched so tight I could crack teeth. "I've been afraid this whole time. Watching myself for any sign I'm becoming them."
Her thumb traces small circles against my palm. Her lips are so close I can almost taste the chamomile on her breath. "Your family didn't question their instincts. They believed protection equaled love and never examined that belief. You question yours constantly. Pull back when you're uncertain."
Her lips graze mine, kitten soft.
"That's what makes you different. That's why I trust you, Calder."
I take her chin between my thumb and forefinger. The urge to do more than kiss her is strong, but because of Elowen, because of her absolute trust, I’m not struggling to control it.
"I'll tell you if you hold too tight," she promises. "We'll figure it out together. I'm not Sarah, andyou're not them."
"Thank you." My voice is thick with emotion.
“You don’t have to thank me, Calder.”
I nod. “I think I’m starting to get it now.” Holding her close, I murmur into her hair, “Coming to Elderwood was the best decision of my life.”
“I thought it was going to the greenhouse.” She relaxes against me. “Imagine if you hadn’t been there that first day.”
I smile. “I’d have found you one way or another.”
19
ELOWEN
The attention has changed.
Not subtle glances anymore. Direct stares. Whispered conversations that pause when I pass, resume when I'm barely out of earshot.
Walking to class, I'm hyperaware of eyes tracking my movement. A group of betas near the bulletin board falls silent mid-conversation. Two alphas by the courtyard fountain watch with assessing gazes. An omega cluster near the library entrance includes some supportive smiles, others less friendly.
"That's the one," someone mutters. Not quietly enough.
"Three alphas. Can you imagine?"
I keep walking.
Professor Reed's class doesn't help. Pack formation ethics. Discussing autonomy in multi-alpha configurations. Students keep glancing at me like I'm exhibit A, sitting right there in the third row.
I take notes. Answer when called on. Manage the discomfort.
After class, Seraphina's waiting in the hallway. "Hey, can we talk?" She leads me to a quiet corner near the administration building. "I wanted to catch you before things get messier."
"Messier than public speculation?" My eyebrows shoot upward.
"Much messier." She gives a small smile, not unkind. "I've been where you are. My pack, four of us, two alphas, went through this two years ago."
The adrenaline crash that comes with relief causes me to lean against the wall for support. “I didn’t realize.”
