Page 30 of Puck Your Neighbor

The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken pain. My inner alpha growls, a low, menacing sound, the urge to hunt down those bastards almost overwhelming.

Ours. Hurt. Punish.

I clench my fists, trying to control the rage.

She continues typing, her face pale, her lower lip quivers. The light from the phone illuminates the tears that are now freely falling down her cheeks.

"They tried to kill me. They cut my throat. I played dead, and they dumped me in some alley. A homeless woman found me and got me help. They went to prison because of her, because I survived. I testified against them in court."

The details, even so brief, are brutal. I can't imagine the terror she must have felt, the betrayal. Never again. We protect, my inner alpha vows, and I echo the sentiment in my heart.

Jenson, who's been quiet until now, speaks up, his voice rough with anger. "They're still in prison, right? They can't hurt you anymore."

She nods, then types again, her fingers moving slower this time, as if the energy is draining out of her.

"The leader, Luis Salama, he's getting executed soon. The two others, Gent and Luvo, they have appeals coming up."

"Appeals?" I repeat, a cold dread spreading through me. "When did you find out about this?"

We'll kill them!My inner alpha is on high alert, ready to defend our omega at any cost.

She types more.

"I got an email about it. The day you found me outside crying. I couldn't read it all, I panicked."

I swallow hard. "Do you want me to read it for you? So you know what's going on?"

She hesitates, her eyes flickering with fear, then nods. Her fingers tap around the screen before she holds her phone out to me.

I take the phone, my fingers brushing hers, and start to read. It's from a detective, the lead on her case, apparently. My eyes scan the text, my heart sinking with each word.

"It says here," I begin, my voice low, "that the leader, Luis Salama, his execution date is set for July 24th."

Anya flinches. Leo pulls her closer, wrapping his arm around her. She leans into him, seeking his comfort. My inner alpha approves.

Good. Pack comforts.

Jenson scoots over to rub her back from his spot beside Leo.

"The other two, Gent and Luvo," I continue, "they have appeals coming up, but the detective says here that he's certain they'll be denied. He says you don't have to worry about taking the stand again."

I look up at her, gauging her reaction. She's pale, her eyes wide, but she nods slowly, as if absorbing the information.

"He says there's no obligation for you to be there, at the execution," I add, "but he wanted to let you know, so you could have some peace of mind."

She closes her eyes for a moment, her body sagging with a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

"Do you...do you want to go?" I ask, the question hesitant. "To the execution? We could go with you. As your mates."

It feels strange, saying those words out loud. We haven't officially declared anything, but it's the truth. We're her mates, her pack, and we'll do whatever it takes to protect her, to help her heal.

Ours.

She opens her eyes and looks at me, her gaze searching. She takes back her phone. "Maybe. I think it might give me closure," the robotic voice says.

Jenson hums. "We'll be right there with you, Princess. We support you either way."

Leo nods. "Always, sweetheart."

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