Page 27 of Betrayed Alpha Mate

“Yeah, you’re right. I hope the girls can get through to her, though. She’ll have to make peace with this, just until we defeat Grimes.”

I nod slowly, thoughtfully, wondering if this is something Emily can make peace with. I, on the other hand, can hardly make peace with her shutting me off so brutally when all I want to do is help.

Perhaps it’s wrong of me to want her a second time. Maybe I’m not allowed to. And maybe she can sense my ulterior motives, just like I can sense her emotions through this binding spell.

Be there for her, and pray she gives me a second chance…

Well, that seems like it’s off the table, and it’s something I’ll have to accept. Emily needs to use her powers, and I can’t be selfish enough to make this about me. I’ll change the trajectory of my thoughts, my intentions, and hope that she senses it and focuses on her magic.

That’s the only thing that matters right now, not me wanting Emily.

Chapter 8 - Emily

I have never lost my temper with anyone from the team, so it shocks me that I feel irritated when Arianna and Delilah follow me into the kitchen. My glass is full, but my fingers tremble as my thirst dies as soon as they find me, their approaching footsteps dramatically thunderous in my wary ears.

Taking a deep breath, I set the glass down beside the sink, turning to them and trying not to scowl, because I know I shouldn’t be angry with them, but I can’t help it. I’m still upset with myself, still angry with Sean.

I’m a mess, and I just made an even bigger fool of myself outside. Embarrassed, I hang my head, hiding behind my palms that still tingle with the remnants of the magic I wielded.

It’s all too overwhelming for me, and a sob rips from my throat.

“Oh, honey!” Delilah cries out, her voice carrying over my sobs before her arms close in around me. Another pair of arms is added—Arianna’s—and I’m just a weeping mess being held by my sisters as they console me with encouraging words.

“I-I don’t know what’s going on with m-me,” I sniffle, lifting my head and looking at them through tear-blurred vision.

Arianna wipes the tears from my cheeks while Delilah goes to the sink. She comes back with water, and this time, I find the courage to drink.

“You’re just overwhelmed, Em,” Arianna says with a soft, consoling smile. “A lot has happened in the span of three days. I don’t blame you.”

“It’s not that, Ari,” I pout, lifting the glass to my lips with a trembling hand. “I just…I don’t wanna be tied to Sean. I don’t want to depend on him for my powers like this.”

“Why?” Delilah asks, and I see the skepticism in her eyes, and my heart lurches.

I can’t tell them the truth.

“I-I don’t wanna be tied to anyone,” I lie. “If I wasn’t stupid—”

“No. You’re not doing that,” Delilah says firmly. “You’re not talking down to yourself because of a mistake you made. We all make mistakes, but we don’t let it bring us down.”

“Delilah is right, Em,” Arianna adds, cupping my cheek. “And you need to remember that you’re not alone in any of this. We’re here to support you,” she says as she points from her to Delilah. “The team is here to support you. And Sean is part of that team.”

“He’s a friend, and he cares about you,” Delilah says gently. “Don’t look at it through a personal lens, but rather, look at how it can serve you.”

“How?” I ask, my interest piqued, and Delilah and Arianna gently lead me to the kitchen table.

“It could have been worse,” Delilah proposes, and Arianna agrees with a nod.

“Yeah, the spell could have worked on someone else,” Arianna offers. “It could have been someone you don’t know, someone you don’t like.”

I bite my tongue when she says that, because she has no idea…

“At least it happened with someone you do know,” Delilah adds.

“So, you’re saying I need to look on the bright side of things?” I scoff. “I’ve been struggling with being positive through all of this.”

“You’re our Little Miss Sunshine,” Delilah states proudly, her chin raised, a glint in her hazel eyes as she smirks. “You joined black ops and brought sunshine into our darkest days. I don’t even know how I’d survive without you.”

“You helped me through the birthing process with Tyson,” Arianna reminds me with a soft smile. “I don’t know how I could have gone through that painlessly if it wasn’t for you. It was your smile, your hopefulness, that got me through that, Em. You’ve always been there for everyone.”