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“It’s a lot, Dad. I don't know how you did it all and for so long. There's a lot more to it than I thought. I think I'll be okay, though. I’ll figure everything out, somehow.” He tried to laugh.
“Well, why don’t you call it a day? I’m surprised you're not at the bar already,” his dad said.
“I have a lot to do, paperwork to go through. I don’t have the time right now to go hang out.” Spencer sighed heavily.
“Oh, okay. I just thought with Adria being back, you’d want to go see her. Don’t know how long she's staying. Guess that’s your choice though,” he said offhandedly. Spencer's head snapped up, as he looked at his dad with shock and confusion.
“Adria’s here? Back in town? When did she get here? How did you find out?” He fired the questions at his dad as he watched him smile.
“I still hear everything; some things people want me to know and others don’t. I always keep my ear to the ground, so to speak. I guess she just came into town about an hour ago and is now at the bar with Moira, Beth, and Everley.” Spencer got up and grabbed his jacket. “Last I heard, Benet, Mitchell, and Madox were also on their way over.” His dad shrugged. Spencer stopped in his tracks.
“Wait, what? The guys know, and they didn’t tell me?” Spencer frowned. He was the Alpha; his friends should be the first ones to tell him anything and everything.
“Listen, son, you can’t really blame them. After what happened after graduation, they’re probably just making sure she’s okay before they say anything to you. They're in a bit of an awkward situation. You are the Alpha, but they are her friend, too. They have been for years,” he said knowingly.
“You heard about what happened?” Spencer grimaced with the thought but knew that news traveled fast in a small town. Especially when it involved the future Alpha.
“Yes, I did, and I’m not mad. I understand what happened. But now you need to explain it to her.” His father put a strong hand on his shoulder. “Part of being an Alpha is owning up to your mistakes and making them right.”
“You’re right. I’ll make this better.” Spencer nodded. He was so happy to finally be able to set things right with her. So much time had passed. He wanted her to see he was different, better, and more mature.
“There’s something else you need to tell her as well.” His dad sighed. “And it coming from you might soften the blow a little.” Spencer knew exactly what his father was talking about; he knew he had to. He just hoped she didn’t take it too hard.
Dusk was just starting as he walked to the bar, his nerves jumbled with the excitement of seeing her again. He could finally set things right, explain to her what had happened, and hopefully have her forgive him. As he approached the bar, he saw her through the window. She had barely changed in eight years, and she looked truly happy. She was sitting with their usual circle, talking and laughing. The weight of the news he had to tell her crashed down on him. How was he supposed to break that news to her?
Don’t lead off with that. She might just end up hating me more. Grovel first,he thought to himself as he approached the door. Taking a deep breath, he walked inside. He wasn’t surprised that all eyes turned to him. That happened more often than he liked, but he knew it was part of being the Alpha.
He wasn’t surprised that the girls were shooting daggers at him. They had never stopped, but the look on her face hurt him. She had a mixture of fear and sadness, two things he never wanted her to feel, especially because of him. Mitchell got up and walked over to him, blocking his view of the table.
“Listen, I know we didn’t tell you she was back, but it was for a good reason. She asked us not to. We figured that you were so busy, you wouldn’t even know she was here,” he tried explaining.
“It’s fine, Mitch. I told you I would make things better with her if I ever got the chance. Plus, you have to remember I’m the Alpha. I hear more than you think.”
Mitchell nodded, as he turned and led him to the back table. Spencer sat down, never taking his eyes off Adria. Everyone was silent, waiting for him to start the conversation. He swallowed hard as he tried his best to figure out what to say. Beth subtly kicked him under the table while raising her eyebrows at him.
“I’m sorry, Adria. I am so very sorry about everything I said and how I acted. I know it’s eight years late, but I owe you a huge apology—it was wrong of me, and you didn’t deserve that kind of behavior from anyone, least of all me.” Spencer let out a long breath, as he watched Adria closely.
She looked down at her drink and seemed to consider what he said. His palms were sweating with the anticipation of her response. He knew that she might tell him to go to hell, or she might forgive him. He hoped for the latter, but, either way,he was ready for both. After what seemed like an eternity, she raised her head and tried to smile at him.
“I now understand where you were coming from, thanks to Madox,” she started. Spencer gave a nod to his Beta. “And maybe, in time, I can get over it, but, right now, we have a more urgent matter to discuss. And I mean all of us,” she said, looking around the table.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, and I don’t want you to ever think I’m making excuses. Just know that.” He waited for her to nod in acceptance before he continued. “Now, what's going on?” he asked.
“I learned from a friend that a hunter is on the loose. He’s started north, and is working his way down here. I know lots of people say that we have the oak tree protecting us, but, come on, we can't take that at face value, right?” The look of concern for her friends, her family, and her town, made Spencer smile and his heart swell.
“We’ve heard about this hunter, and we are talking about what we can do. Not to worry,” Spencer said confidently, hoping that there would be a time later when he could talk to her, just the two of them.
“Yes, but did you know that he is headed this way? It’s being said that Rosewood could very well be his next target. Plus, he’s only killing Alphas.” Spencer furrowed his brows. That was something he didn’t know.
“Only Alphas?” Madox asked. Everyone looked shocked and worried.
“He will kill anyone who gets in his way, but he is seeking out the Alphas for some reason.” Adria looked deeply concerned. Spencer was getting more worried by the minute.
“Spencer, we need to have another meeting with the council. This is more serious than we thought,” Madox said.
“Yes, we do. I will set something up for tomorrow, first thing. We’re going to need all hands on deck for this. Do you know if he’s alone or if he has any backup?” Spencer asked Adria. He was all business now.
“That, I don’t know, but when I go back to…” Adria stopped and faltered.She still doesn’t want me to know where she’s been staying, he thought with a pang of guilt. “When I go back, I can see if I can find out more,” she finished quietly.
