Page 13 of Drown My Sorrow

“Put me down, Shale.”

He hums and then hoists me up so I’m at eye level with him. “I’m very cross with you, little omega.”

I blink several times. “It’s not my fault!” I snap, outraged.

“No? Did you tell them to go away? That you were, how did you phrase this again, not in the market for alphas, or is that just us you don’t want?”

Shale sounds dangerously like he might be jealous, but that would be impossible, wouldn’t it?

Oh, no, I did it again.

Shale, Keagan, and Beau might be three of the wildest, most dangerous alphas I know, but they are still human, and they still have insecurities. I hurt their feelings. Again.

I sigh and look away, trying to find the words to undo what I’ve done. “I’m not looking for alphas, either you or them. Honestly.” I wait a long moment, and the word just slips out. “But-”

Shale’s jaw tightens, and I think he might actually lose it, but instead, he just murmurs the word I let slip.

I swear internally and struggle to find the right words. It’s with great caution that I say my next sentence.

“I would like to know some things.”

“Like what?” Shale asks and presses his lips into a thin line.

“Like why Gael was searching for me. Or why Ezy blocked my emails when I didn’t show up. Or-”

“Or why that dick head hurt you?”

I flinch, and Shale huffs and shifts my weight in his arms.

“You don’t need to carry me.”

“Of course, I do. When else do you let me hold you?”

I snap my jaw shut at his bitter comment and have this fleeting wish that I could be normal and allow these alphas into my life. After all, they’ve more than earned it.

They have saved me over, and over, and over.

Whenever I feel alone, they are here keeping me safe, circling like my own pet sharks, ready to rip anyone who gets close apart.

But, one day, they will meet someone and leave.

I know it.

“You know, that only makes things harder for all of us,” I murmur.

“Yes, because you still don’t believe we’re devoted to you and only you. What is it going to take, Aspyn?”

I blink at him. “Can we not have this conversation right now? I’m just so glad you guys were there to save me. I thought I was going to die yesterday.”

Shale tightens his arms around me. “Never!”

I cling to him and let the horror of it come back to me. The water was so strong. I shudder, tasting my potent fear. But Shale’s arms are big and warm, and I know, no matter what, he wouldn’t have let the ocean claim me. He is that powerful.

Shale stops and shifts me so he can touch my face with those gentle fingers.

“Aspyn?”

I blink and look up at him.

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