Page 98 of Believe it or Knot

“Talk to us, Sor. Tell us what happened so we can fix it.”

I let out a wavering breath as Eponine sings about being on her own. My mouth quivers and a tear drips over my cheek. “They all left me.”

Vee’s brow furrows as she glances at Sadie. “Who did, babe?”

With a huff, I push myself into a sitting position until I’m leaning against the headboard. “Gage and the Cordova pack.”

Sadie must choke on air because she coughs in surprise. Vee reaches out to pat her on her back. “Don’t die.” Sade glares at her, still coughing, and Vee turns her attention back to me. “Gage is back?”

“The Cordova pack?” Sadie gasps out at the same time.

I nod sadly. “Yes, and yes.”

“When did he get in?” Vee asks, folding her arms over her chest like she’s offended that she wasn’t one of the first people to know what he’s back. They met once when he was home on leave a few years ago and hit it off fairly well. Well, as well as Sylvie can be with any alpha who isn’t her fated mates.

“A few weeks ago.”

“You’re that mysterious woman that was seen around the city with them?” Sadie practically shouts. “The one that no one could get a clear shot of because they were always covering your face?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Sylvie tilts her head. “Did Gage leave for another tour?”

I shake my head in answer, teeth sunk into my lower lip to keep it from trembling again. At the same time, Sadie curses and lunges for her phone.

“If you’ve been out and about with them for the last few weeks, why the hell are they out with Hollis Grailess right now? And have been for the last few days?” She holds her screen in front of my face, showing me a picture of Hollis and Grayson together. His arm is around her waist and he’s smiling at her the way he used to look at me. They look so fucking perfect together that my little beta heart clenches and then breaks. The picture under the one of the happy couple is of Liam, Rafe and Hollis on a red carpet. At the premier they originally asked me to go to, to finally reveal me to the world as a new member of their pack, along with the interview that answered all the questions the public would no doubt have.

Sylvie reaches out and pushes the phone down so I’m no longer staring at what should have been my life, but now I’m here, a goddamn hot mess, unable to leave my best friend’s apartment.

I have to get over this. My life can’t stop because I’m disappointed this didn’t work out.

Disappointed doesn’t begin to cover it, though. I literally feel like I can’t go on. Like what’s the point of living if I can’t have them?

I hate feeling this way.

I wasn’t even like this when my parents died, largely because I knew they’d want me to keep going, to be happy, to thrive. They loved me and I loved them. I was devastated, but I kept going for them. Working tirelessly to see their dream thrive.

I’m pretty sure the Cordova pack doesn’t want me to keep going, to succeed, to be happy. No, they want me to melt away into obscurity and to never think of me again.

I harden my resolve to get over this. They never have to think of me again, but I refuse to let them break me. I deserve better than what they gave me.

Taking a deep breath, I answer Sylvie’s easier question first. “No, Gage isn’t back on tour. He’s home for good. Or at least he was, but that was before he told me if I pick the Cordova pack, I couldn’t-I couldn’t have him.”

Vee’s eyes narrow. “He told you what?”

I nod. “Ultimatum, pure and simple. One or the other. He did this right before an interview where we were going to announce,” my lips tremble and I have to take a moment to stiffen them up before I can continue. “We were going to announce that I was joining the Cordova pack.”

Both of my friends stare at me, eyes wide with surprise.

“Okay, I’m sorry, wait,” Vee says, gripping my hand. “How did this happen?”

“And how didn’t we know about it?”

“It’s a long story,” I say, settling back on the pillows.

They settle in on either side of me. “Good thing we have nothing but time,” Sadie prompts.

So I tell them. Everything. From start to finish, I tell them my once in a lifetime love story with America’s sweetheart omega and his pack, with my best friend from childhood. I tell them about how I tried to not let my heart get involved and how hopeless it was. How they made me feel important, seen, listened to.

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