Page 16 of Bitter Truths

That’s quite the mental image—one that’ll stay with me during the ceremony. Thanks for that.

Weller

Please tell me you’re joking.

Owen

Don’t play games unless you want people losing eyes.

Bianca

This has been fun, but Mom’s home with dinner. See you at my graduation?

Weller

We wouldn’t miss it.

Chatting with them cuts through the fog that has been choking me all week. My shoulders relax, and the tight ball in my throat unravels. Whitney’s poison fades with each message, replaced by warmth that has always felt like home.

This is real.

The questions are still there, burning on my tongue. The need to know simmers beneath my skin. But tonight, seeing their names light up my screen is enough.

3

BIANCA

High school is over.

The crowd’s noise blurs into background static while I scan black gowns and parents with cameras. The diploma holder feels slick in my sweaty palm.

“Bianca!” Mom waves her camera at me, a smile stretched so wide it looks painful. Dad holds her shoulder.

Winston and Clara hover nearby. His arm loops around her waist with that possessive grip I’ve started noticing everywhere. My brother catches my eye. “Congrats, little sis.”

And then there are the four alphas waiting for me.

Ten days since their mouths branded mine. Ten days of replaying every kiss until my lips burn with the memory.

Weller stands in a charcoal suit, his white shirt perfect against his skin. His dark eyes track me through the crowd like he’s memorizing every detail. When our gazes meet, he tilts his head.

Freddie’s face lights up with that grin that could power the whole town. His golden curls fall across his forehead, messy no matter how much he tries to tame them.

Tristan stands near my parents, looking like a hot professor in glasses I’ve never seen him wear before. He twists his mouth into a knowing smile when he catches me staring.

Owen moves restlessly behind the others, all dark jeans and a black shirt. When his dark eyes find mine, he seems to relax.

My heart pounds so hard it feels like it’s going to burst out.

“Over here, honey!” Dad pulls me into a hug.

I clutch my diploma while the graduation gown billows around my legs. I went with a simple dress underneath. Not the bikini, though I bet they’re wondering.

Freddie breaks rank first when I reach my family. His arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground.

“Our little graduate!” His scent washes over me—honey and cedar that calms my frayed nerves. “So proud of you, Bumblebee.”

He sets me down. Tristan steps forward, mischief dancing in his eyes. His lips brush my cheek, lingering just long enough to spike my pulse. His mouth grazes behind my ear. “Brava, sweetheart.”