Page 97 of My Shy Alpha

“It sounds like they made you feel bad too.”

“Y-yeah.”

“And now you’re still alive, having to face how that pain actually feels.”

I swallow hard, digging down to the truth. “I wish my dad involved me in his culture and spirituality more before he died. I feel like I missed out on a community I could’ve had to support me this whole time.”

Jenny’s eyebrows warp in sympathy, but my heart sets into a heavy pound. Dammit, she’s going to wonder why my parents left me out again. It’s impossible to explain without the wolfy details.

Thankfully, Jenny doesn’t mention that again. “Are you worried Noah won’t accept you into the community either?”

“No, I know he’ll accept me. In all ways. Which is why I want to tell him about my OCD diagnosis too. I just haven’t found the right time to bring it up.”

Jenny gets a scheming look on her face that makes my heart race. “The ‘right’ time, huh?”

I laugh. “Ugh, I know. That’s totally OCD talking.”

“Well, what if I was here to help guide the conversation?”

I grip my jeans. “Like... Next Tuesday or Friday?”

She shrugs. “Or today. Isn’t he picking you up after our session?”

Oh, God. Today?

Even though I didn’t say that out loud, Jenny laughs. “I know that face. Are you waiting to tell him because you’re not ready yet, or are you worried it’ll hurt him?”

I sigh through a laugh. “You’re right, as usual. I’m more worried it’ll hurt him. Which sounds like an intrusive thought...”

She smiles. “Then what do you say? Should we call Noah in?”

A momentous feeling wells in my chest. Strong enough to get Noah’s attention.

I know you’re in therapy so you don’t have to respond, but I’m here for you, sweet Omega.

Ugh, I love him.

I nod to Jenny, feeling like it’s now or never.

Actually, my shy Alpha, can you join me in therapy? I need to tell you something.

Relief allows me to relax into the couch cushions.

But Noah’s emotions heighten into alert. Are you upset with me? Did I do something wrong or hurt you?

Oh, God, no! I’m so sorry! My jaw clenches, and Jenny’s eyes widen. This is actually about what I told you once - how I get really afraid of certain things. But I want to explain why.

I’ll be there in five minutes.

I’m left gaping at the immediate resolve in Noah’s stance. This felt like an even bigger relief for him. Like he’s been waiting for me to let him in. Patiently, at that. I appreciate him so much.

Jenny’s head tilts at the whirring emotions flicking across my face. “So... Are you going to call or text him, or...?”

Shit, I forgot I was using mindlink in front of her. It must’ve looked like I blanked out. I laugh it off, almost dropping my phone before tapping Noah’s name on my contacts. “Whoops! Actually contacting him would help, wouldn’t it?”

Jenny laughs with me, but I know she’s studying me a little closer - a slight pinch tugging her eyebrows together.

After multiple rings, I wonder if Noah will answer at all. Yasmine made a joke the other day about Noah’s year-old, unread texts. Maybe he won’t even–

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