Page 72 of Drown My Sorrow

She needs them.

They lock eyes and stare at each other. The seconds pass, and the tension between them grows. Ezy finally pulls free and looks away, clearing his throat. I’m not sure what he’s thinking about, but he better not be rejecting her.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I know I apologized earlier, but I don’t really think I had an understanding of what was going on then. Aspyn, I have a better idea, and I can see how much my behaviour would have affected you.”

“What is your real name?”

“Ezekial.”

“Why is your name Ezy?”

His cheeks turn red. “My grandpa thought it was funny that all he needed to do to get me to do anything was offer me a piece of chocolate. In my defense, I was a pudgy kid because I was obsessed with sweets. I shouldn’t have been making those deals because I clearly had no ability to moderate my food.”

“So your grandpa gave you that name?”

“He did. He was my best friend when I was a kid, not at all like my parents. In fact, my dad and mother were both really ashamed of him. They didn’t enjoy associating with him much, but I loved him. He would get out his old map of all the places he’d been, and wherever I pointed, he could tell me the most amazing story. I guess that’s why I came out here, because I needed to have my own stories to add to his map, and I didn’t want to end up becoming my mother.”

“What happened to him?”

“Oh, he passed away in his sleep one night. It was the nicest way to go. I miss him a lot, although today is the first time I’ve thought about him in a long time.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.”

“I’m sorry for yours.”

They stare at each other, caught in a moment that no one else is welcome to. In the bond, I can feel the first stirrings of something warm and gentle in our boy Ezy.

I hate that I love it.

Chapter seventeen

Aspyn

Aspyn-Aged17

My mother flies into the room and starts packing our belongings.

“What’s wrong?” I hop after her, hissing as my leg tightens painfully. “Mum?”

“Get ready. We’re leaving. We need to hurry.”

I frown but start shoving my belongings into the bag. My eyes are still swollen and sore from crying over the alpha I met six months ago. How has the time passed so quickly?

Kelly.

I dreamed about him last night. That he came to me and rescued me. That he took care of me. He didn’t laugh or mock me, his eyes were filled with concern.

Dreams are cruel.

In just a few minutes, Mum is ushering me out of the hotel. I dig in my heels when I see the older alpha. The cruel one. What is he doing here? How does Mum know him? I angle myself behind her, unwilling to stand before him.

“Mum?”

She ignores me and approaches him with deference. “Alpha Raines.”

He stares at me for another long moment before he turns to my mother with a smile.

“Here you go. As promised.”

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