Page 98 of Stalked By the Alphas
“Carter,” he says quietly. “Do you really think we have a chance? After everything?”
I consider his question carefully. “I don’t know,” I admit. “But I know we have to try. We owe her that much.”
Noah nods, but I’ve never seen him so unsure about anything.
We part ways, and as I enter my room, I carefully place the package for Hazel on the desk. I hope it will help show her how much she means to me and how sorry I am for everything we’ve put her through. I know it will take more than gifts to earn her forgiveness.
I strip off my clothes and head for the shower, letting the hot water wash away some of the tension from the confrontation with my parents. As I stand under the spray, I go over again about what I’ll say to Hazel tomorrow. It’s going to be a long wait to see her after work, but I won’t force her into an uncomfortable position.
After my shower, I lie in bed, just wanting to sleepso that tomorrow can be here. However, I end up staring at the ceiling and sending up a little prayer to whichever deity is listening, hoping that Hazel will give us a chance to make this right.
56
HAZEL
I wakeup with a pounding headache, my mouth dry and tasting like something died in it. Groaning, I roll over and fall off the couch, hitting the carpet with a soft thud. That’s when I remember last night. Leah came over, and we drank. A lot.
Squinting against the sunlight already streaming through the windows, I spot Leah curled up in the armchair, still fast asleep. The empty vodka bottle sits on the coffee table next to a half-drunk bottle of wine, a silent testament to our night of… what even was that? Moving on? Forgetting our woes? Celebrating freedom from the prisons of our torment? All of the above?
I push myself up, wincing at the way the room spins. God, I haven’t been this hungover in... well, ever. Stumbling to the kitchen, I gulp down water and fumble for some painkillers. As I swallow them, memories of yesterday come flooding back of Zach in myoffice, the mind-blowing sex, the guilt and confusion afterwards.
But I can’t think about that right now. I need to make sure Leah is okay, and then I need to hit the shower and go to work. The thought makes my stomach churn, but I shove it aside.
“Hey,” Leah says, coming into the kitchen looking like a ray of sunshine. I scowl at her, and she giggles. “Sorry, me and alcohol have this understanding. It helps me function, and I don’t throw it all back up and ruin its job.”
I nod, getting that on more levels than I’d like. “Yeah, I can see how that is mutually beneficial, but are you okay?”
“I’m not an alcoholic if that’s what you’re asking me. Or at least, I probably am, but a highly functioning one.”
I have no idea what that is, so I nod again and take her word for it. I’m not here to lecture on how to deal with her pain, nor to berate her on drinking to forget. I probably would, too, if I weren’t such a lightweight.
“So what now?” I ask cautiously.
She smiles. “Now we move on with our lives and try to forget, perhaps find something or someone who can help with that.”
“You are really strong, Leah,” I blurt out. “You’re amazing.”
She shrugs. “No, I’m not. I’m faking it. But it’s a start, right?”
“Right.”
“I’ve got an Uber on the way. Thanks for last night, Hazel. I needed it, and I know you did, too. But let’s not make a habit out of it, okay? Seeing you… I just can’t. I’m sorry. I know it’s selfish and cowardly?—”
“God, no. I get it, Leah. Christ. I seriously get it. It was nice to see you, too, and there aren’t enough thanks in this world to give you for what you did the other day. I won’t… I won’t ever tell anyone…”
“I know. I’m not worried about that. But I have to start healing, and so do you.”
I go to her, and I hug her tightly before stepping back. She didn’t return it, but I don’t take offence. She is dealing with this how she thinks is best for her. I should take a leaf out of her book and fake it til I make it. God knows I could do with smiling and being normal again—whatever that is.
“Bye, Hazel.”
“Bye, Leah.” I watch her go, and she slips out of the front door.
I realise I didn’t even lock and bolt it. I was too drunk to remember or care. It was liberating but not something I can make a habit out of. I’ve neglected my business enough these last few weeks.
With that resolve firmly in place, I smile and head up to the shower. If Leah can do this, then so can I.
Moments later, as I stand under the hot shower, I run my hands over my body and over my pussy. The feel of Zach’s cock thrusting into me, sends shivers over me. I cup myself gently, feeling how bare I am there, and the shiver turns to a shudder as I remember Aydenshaving me. I close my eyes, and the memories of the alphas killing David and Ayden crash through my skull. I want to push it away, pretend I never saw it, but I can’t do that. I need to face it. I let myself remember what I saw, however fuzzy it was, through the haze of shock. The three alphas hurting those who hurt me. This is something that stampedes over all the bad things they did. Even the sex. I slide two fingers over my clit as I think about how it felt to have their knots inside me during my heat. My heart beats quickly, and I pant, teasing myself as I remember. I don’t know who was who or what was what, all I remember are the white masks and the pleasure.
