Page 89 of Drown My Sorrow

“We will be.”

I stare in stunned amazement as Keagan spoons the alpha and settles down to sleep like this is fucking normal.

“Stop staring,” Beau teases and puts a piece of toast in my mouth.

I eat until we’re all ready for bed. Shale gets on my side, Gael and Kelly on the other side.

“This is the weirdest night I’ve ever had,” I say softly.

Gael starts giggling. It’s infectious, and, try as I might, I can’t help it. I fall asleep smiling.

Chapter twenty-one

Aspyn

Aspyn-aged18

“Do you know what I hate most in the world?”

I mutter as I walk, ignoring the startled looks of people around me.

“Kids. They torment me. Torture me. Laugh, spit, throw things. Kids are crueler than their parents could ever hope to be. Because they are more honest.”

I am an old cripple. Hobbly-Wobbly. Leather face. Limp Bitch from Crippleville.

“Throw sticks at Old Melty,” they jeer.

Did I lose a fight with an iron? They sing that out at least a million times. Like no one’s ever said it to me before. Kids are not creative at all.

Hit her with stones. Curse her before I curse them. Witch, witch, witch!

Would that I was a witch, I’d curse them all, evil little brats.

They laugh as they jump and dance around me, darting in with increasing boldness. They hurt me, and it doesn’t matter because I’m just a joke to them. There are no consequences to hurting me but a slap on the shoulder from Dad and a wink at dinner.

I can’t escape them. I can’t run. The island is too small.

When did kids become dangerous?

When did they become so terrifying?

PresentDay

If I thought it was over, I was sadly mistaken. I fold my arms over my chest and stick out my bottom lip as I scowl at my alphas.

“I want to go home.”

Shale reaches out and cups my cheek. He smiles softly, indulgently, and simply says, “No.”

I snarl at him, but he just kisses the tip of my nose.

“I’m going home.”

“No, you’re not. We’re going to see this through,” Shale says calmly and picks up a piece of toast and starts eating.

“I’m with her. Let’s leave them and go home,” Keagan says, which earns him a slap from Beau.

Shale hits him with a flesh-stripping glare. “No. And stop that.”

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