Page 50 of Her Arranged Alpha
"I thought Katie said she was trying to help."
She nodded. "She did, but not for that. She couldn't. The Council put me there. No one knew where I even was." She pulled the sheets closer. "I hardly had a voice when Katie finally came to get me. She offered me food and water, but I didn't accept it. And then it was twenty-four hours of straight questioning. The Council took turns asking the same questions over and over. I thought I was going crazy with the details. I suddenly felt maybe I had lied. That I'd made it all up and remembered it wrong."
I watched tears build in her eyes. "I'd remember the color of Frank's shirt, but if I didn't say the color to the next person, I suddenly had cracks in my story."
I pulled her closer, pressing her face to my chest. I hated seeing this look on her face, seeing how scared she was.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, knowing I was part of the reason it all happened to her. The only people who believed her were Frank and Nina at first. Even after her torture, I still hadn't believed her.
I hooked her chin, looking into her eyes. "Why didn't you try telling me? Why didn't you argue with me about this? Try and make me…."
She frowned. "If I couldn't convince you then, what makes you think I would have convinced you now? You either believed me or you don't."
I hated how I'd behaved. She was fragile and already so broken, and instead of seeing it, I'd treated her terribly.
As Alpha, we were supposed to see when someone was telling the truth and when someone was lying. We were supposed to protect our people and be there when we needed them. We had failed her.
I kissed her forehead. "I'll never let anything like that happen again."
"You can't promise that."
I nodded. "I can. Frank stood by your side during the entire time because he knew who you were. And I'm your husband, and I'm starting to see who you are. I won't let it happen."
She swallowed, looking touched. She rested her head back against my chest, and I held her tightly. I knew I couldn't fix my past mistakes, but I could do better in the future.
Chapter 16 - Jillian
I was sitting in the park just a few blocks away from downtown. I had a book propped open that I was reading, trying to enjoy the nice weather. After sleeping with Maddox and the party a few weeks ago, I decided I really wanted to make things work here. I wanted to make this home. So, I was spending more time outside and was trying to get to know as many people as I could.
I took another sip of my coffee, feeling the sunshine bask down on me. It was silent and peaceful.
I looked back down at my book when I heard my name. I looked over my shoulder and spotted Ava and Justiny walking towards me. Two girls that I ended up meeting at my party, and really enjoyed talking to. Ava worked at the dentist's office. She was sweet with a heavy set to her. She had deep red hair that she colored. She was married. Ava and her husband had been trying to have a child for three years with no luck. They were on the list to join Katie's pregnancy program. Justiny was a tall, thin woman who worked at a lawyer's office. She was single, not really looking for anyone. She'd stated she wanted to focus on herself rather than starting a family. She was a little more of a spitfire, but still sweet.
"Hey, you guys. What are you doing out?"
"We both have the day off and are heading to have breakfast at the diner. Did you want to join us?"
I nodded, more than eager to spend time with them. I'd run into them a few times, but we'd never hung out or done anything past that.
I shoved my book into my purse and pulled myself off the bench. I walked over towards them, giving them both a smile.
"So, how is married life?" Ava asked, adjusting her purse.
"It's been really good. How have you guys been?"
Ava groaned. "I got my period, so I'm still not pregnant."
I gave her a sad look, having wished she would get lucky. I could see just how badly she wanted a baby.
Justiny gave her arm a squeeze. "It will happen. You guys are going to be parents."
"I feel like my time is ticking away."
"You're only twenty-four years old." I offered. "You have time."
She sighed. "I suppose. But I don't want the entire breakfast to be about me and my misery." She glanced at Justiny. "How has work been?"
Justiny groaned. "I don't wanna talk about it."
