Page 16 of My Shy Alpha

“Let’s start with that. Why don’t you grab some water and a blanket to help yourself relax.”

I grip Noah’s borrowed clothes on instinct, curling up with them on the couch. “Okay. I already have water.”

“Okay, great! So what are you thinking about that’s bringing up some panic?”

I take a deep, shuddering breath. Inadvertently, I inhale a wave of Noah’s scent, and that single whiff stops me from shaking.

He’s important; even my body knows it. If I’m honest about Noah, Jenny might never believe me. But I don’t want to lie to her either.

“I met a man last night,” I mutter. The silence on the other line sends my breath into a sprint. “I thought it was something real. Even deeper than my dream. But I woke up and he–” My tears choke me out. “H-he was gone.”

“Oh, honey... Did he hurt you or coerce you?” Jenny’s aching voice inspires fresh tears.

“No. I’m just hurt emotionally, now that he’s not here.”

“Is that why you’re feeling sick?”

“No, I– Well, it could be from stress, but I think I have a bad fever. It’s making me dizzy.”

I’m too embarrassed to tell her that I’m also horny as hell.

Which is really why this fever feels worse. Every time I think of Noah, another wave of heat hits my body. I’m so sexually frustrated that it hurts - my hips squirming on the couch with pounding pain deep enough to make me nauseous. But I feel way too sick to do anything about it. Even more ridiculous, my body screams to let Noah - onlyNoah - do something about it. But what if he’s gone, forever? I whimper, crying even harder.

“What about Amy?” Jenny asks. “Could she come check on you?”

“Yes, I could call her.”

“Great! Let’s have you do that, and then text me what happens.”

“Thank you, Jenny.”

“Keep me updated. Promise?”

“I promise.” Even though I have no way of explaining this to her.

Before I can land myself in ruminating hell, I call my best friend.

Amy’s familiar pep softens my breath. “Hey, girl! What’s up so early on a Saturday?! You’re usually dead asleep if I try to call!”

“Hi, Amy.”

“Whoa, are you okay?” Her voice darkens. “Do I need to come over there and kick someone’s ass?”

I smile through tears, inhaling a deep breath of Noah’s scent. “I’m sorry to ruin your anniversary weekend. I’m just not feeling well.”

“Oh no, like how?”

I need to tell someone about Noah, or I’m going to lose it. Thankfully, Amy has seen me lose it before.

“A., I met someone. Someone I thought was my soulmate.” My sobs hitch, warping into bawling. “But now all he left was the clothes he borrowed, and they smell so good, but...”

“Wait, hold up. You had sex with him?!”

“No! But I wanted to! Can you believe that, Amy?”

“I mean, no, to be honest.” Amy’s shock only makes me cry harder.

“And it’s super embarrassing, but I feel horrible now that we didn’t have sex. I’ve never felt like this.”

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