Page 114 of Bitter Truths

I shift, testing, and feel him harden. His fingers dig into my hips, stilling me.

“My turn,” Tristan says, breath tickling my neck. “Bianca. Truth or dare.”

“You can’t pick me,” I protest. “I’m already doing a dare.”

“Different dare. Different person. Answer the question.”

I sigh, hyperaware of every point where our bodies connect. “Truth.”

His arms tighten around me. “Who is Ezra to you?”

I stiffen against his chest. “How do you even know about him?”

The alphas exchange glances, unspoken words passing between them.

“In the hospital garden,” Owen says, jaw tightening. “You were on the phone with him… plus you smelled like male omega.”

Tristan’s fingers trace circles on my hip. “So. Tell us about him.”

I feel them go still, listening. They’re already preparing for the answer.

“He stopped those alphas from... you know,” I say, navigating this as carefully as I can.

“And then?” Owen presses, leaning forward. Veins stand out on his forearms as his fists clench.

“And then he told me about the refuge,” I try to keep my voice steady.

“What is the relationship between you?” Weller asks directly, his tone deceptively calm.

“He’s my best friend.” The words come out quiet but firm.

“And what else?” Owen’s expression darkens.

“What are you asking?” My voice sharpens, defensive.

“Were you with him?” Tristan asks directly, fingers tightening on my waist. “Sexually.”

The question hangs heavy as a storm cloud. I feel Tristan’s chest expand against my back as he holds his breath.

“Yes.”

A chill bleeds into the suite. Tristan’s grip turns merciless, pressure bruising my skin, as their scents darken, harsh and possessive enough to choke me.

Owen works his jaw. Weller goes still, only his rapid breathing betraying his reaction. Freddie looks gut-punched, his complexion paling.

“How many times?” Freddie asks, voice cracking.

I laugh, the sound a little too high, trying to ease the suffocating tension in the room. “Seriously? That’s what you want to know?” I shrug, feigning nonchalance despite my racing heart. “I didn’t count.”

“Estimate, Bianca,” Weller suggests, his tone edged with danger, control stripped to reveal the predator beneath.

My pulse pounds in my throat, likely visible to all of them. “I don’t know, and it’s nothing complicated… just sex. We’re not together.”

Owen makes a wounded sound. “Just sex?”

I roll my eyes at their collective alpha meltdown. “I mean, you didn’t think I was going to stay a virgin all this time, right?” The exasperation in my voice is genuine.

“He has been good to me.” I watch their faces and soften my voice despite myself. “If it helps, I wanted it to be one of you, but it is what it is.”