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“Oh, I bet,” I mutter, turning back to the sidewalk. The last thing I need is a visual of these alphas demonstrating their skills.
“You know, you’re really stubborn,” Dash comments, falling into step beside me. “It’s kind of cute.”
“Cute?” I snort. “I’m not cute. Puppies are cute. Babies are cute. I’m…”
“Adorable?” Dash suggests, his grin widening.
“Annoying,” I correct, giving him a pointed look. That’s what I need to do—be as annoying as possible.
“You’re not annoying,” Malachi says, his tone sincere. “You’re…cautious, and given the circumstances, that’s understandable.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What circumstances?” What does he know?
“The ones that make you avoid us like we’re the plague,” he says lightly, though there’s an undertone of seriousness.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Malachi steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine. “Yes, you do, and we’re here to help, whether you want it or not.”
I blink, taken aback by his bluntness. “Why?”
“Because we’ve seen too many people fall through the cracks,” Malachi answers, a shadow crossing his face. “Our pack... we’ve all got stories, Aria. Stories that’d make your skin crawl. Helping folks like you? It’s how we make peace with our past. Besides, all we are doing is escorting you a few blocks home. It isn’t that deep.”
His words hit me harder than I care to admit. They assume I’m stubborn because I’m alone with no one to help, not because I’m basically living in this smelly city because I have to. It’s pure survival at this point, but they are also kind of sweet.
No. Do not think like that!
A war rages inside me. Part of me yearns to accept their help, to let down the walls I’ve built so carefully. It would be so easy to lean into their strength, to let someone else shoulder the burden for once. But the other part, the part that’s kept me alive and hidden all these years, screams danger. Trusting others has only led to pain before. Can I really risk everything I’ve fought for on the off chance that these alphas are different?
I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. The loneliness of my existence weighs heavily on me, but is the alternative any better? Can I trust them not to hurt me when they discover what I really am?
“I appreciate the offer,” I say softly, “but I can’t afford to take it.”
Dash sighs dramatically, shaking his head. “You’re really going to make us work for this, aren’t you?”
“Work for what?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“To prove we’re not bad guys,” he replies, his tone serious for once.
“I never said you were,” I whisper.
“Good,” Malachi says, his smile returning. “Then we’re making progress.”
I can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. “You’re relentless, you know that?”
“We’ve been told,” Dash says with a wink. “Now, how about that laundry?”
I shake my head, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “Fine, but if you even think about sniffing my underwear, I’m kicking your shins.”
My scent is strongest there.
Dash raises his hands in mock surrender. “Deal. We’ll stick to the boring stuff.”
Don’t do it, Aria. “Boring stuff?”
“Sports bras.” He wiggles his brows.
“I regret asking.” I shake my head as my apartment building comes into view. Relief settles like a dead weight in my stomach.
