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“Why are you trying to save them when they don’t care? Why are you trying to save your family?”
The words lance into me, hitting a spot I didn’t even know was an open wound.
“Because family is family, and my sisters can’t survive without me.”
He snorts. “Family are the people you get tossed into a genetic lottery with. The people you choose are the people who you should save, rescue, and cherish.”
I’m floored by his insight, by the shadow of pain in his eyes.
“Darion…”
His eyes flash, and he sways in towards me. His breath smells faintly of pizza. He’s going to kiss me, I think, and I’m startled by how much I want it. I lean towards him. We’re so close, but then he sways back, shaking his head.
“Go to bed, Missy. I need…I need to be alone.”
I watch him disappear into the shadows, and then I do as he asked because there was something in his eyes that said he knew what I was doing and why. He understood, and he hated it for me. He cared.
I find myself concluding that I don’t know these alphas at all. They are completely different from the men that people warned me about.
They are so much more.
twelve
Missy
My dad opens the door and grunts. That’s it for all the time I’ve been gone, a single grunt of acknowledgement. My mother comes out, looks at me, passes me, and when she doesn’t see any of my pack, she retreats without a word. Darion steps out from the side of the house and gives me a half smile that makes my heart lift.
Trin sees me and hugs me tight. She spots Darion on the porch, and her eyes linger there in a way that makes my stomach clench uncomfortably.
“Where’s Elise and Muse? I sent word I’d be here.”
Trin leans in close. “Mum organised for them to go out.”
Bitter disappointment makes it hard for me to think of an appropriate response.
“I see.”
Mum comes out of her room a few minutes later, dressed in a tight black dress that looks expensive and new. She’s got a full face of makeup and gold jewelry on her hands, fingers, and neck.
“Hi, Mum.” My tone carries a note of warning, and her eyes flash angrily at me.
“Hi, darling.” She smiles at Darion as he enters the home. “Have you been behaving? You know how you do like to get in trouble. All that attention-seeking behaviour, stirring up the alphas.” She laughs but keeps her eyes smoldering on Darion.
My skin heats and prickles with a blend of shame and fury that I’m more than used to experiencing.
“Hello, Mrs Clark.” Darion says with a polite smile that is so fake it makes my teeth ache.
She nods absently and leads me deeper into the house. My father looks up when he sees me and smiles widely, full of fakeness to impress the power that comes in a moment behind me. Darion turns and retreats, but I’m acutely aware of the fact he hasn’t gone far.
“You did really well. Really came through for your family when we were in a tight spot. Loyal, that’s you, Missy.”
I clench my jaw and try to force a smile.
“Finally found some use for you.” Mum says snidely.
I flinch and find Darion’s eyes in the corridor. He’s talking to Trin. She’s actually talking to him. Panic and something else rush through me, and I realise with a start that I’m jealous. Guilt immediately chases the other feelings deeper into me.
I turn back to my parents. “Where are Elise and Muse?”
