Page 73 of Freeing My Alpha

My heart stings with the sudden silence, and Amy shrinks.

She lets out a soft whimper, gripping her head. “God, I’m so sorry, Aliya... That was way too harsh.”

I clear my throat. “No, you’re right, calling myself those things does sound like him, now that you say that. That makes me sick to my stomach. I’d much rather listen to people I love dearly like you and Noah, and I could never imagine either of you saying those things about me. I’ll work on it.”

Amy rubs her forehead, hiding her face from me. I don't want her to feel ashamed about her outburst now either. She doesn’t always say things in the gentlest ways, but I know where her heart is—and where her intense agitation comes from when it comes to me being hurt.

She also has second-hand trauma from witnessing what Steven did to me. From finding me on my worst day. I didn’t know who else to call, and walking through my broken front door to find me changed Amy forever too.

Just like I’m afraid of, my pain hurt her. But like Amy said, she would rather feel this pain than be separated from me. My heart twists so tightly with love for her that it stings.

I tackle Amy onto the couch cushions, startling a small shriek from her.

Laughing, I nuzzle her cheek. “I love you, okay? Thanks for not giving up on me, even when I’m a pain in the ass.”

“You’re not a pain in the ass!” Amy cackles, rocking me in a tight hug. “You’re just too strong for your own good. And I already know you’re always thinking about it, beneath the surface. You couldn't even say his name until last year.”

“It’s true,” I mutter. “But now I can. I guess I’ve made a lot of progress, in some ways.”

“Good! Give yourself more credit, babe. I’m so fucking proud of you.”

I’m so flustered that I don’t know what to say. Instead, I nuzzle Amy’s cheek, my heart softening at the giggle it produces from her.

As we settle into each other, I sigh. “We haven’t even picked a movie, after all that.”

Our heads whip around at the same time at a strange noise, only to find Kira chomping popcorn in the doorway. “You’re done fighting, right? I can finally come in?”

Amy gasps. “Kira! Rude!”

Kira smirks, snatching the abandoned remote from Amy’s side. “Let’s watch that new ridiculous rom-com until Amy pisses herself laughing again.”

“Hey, it was one time!”

I burst into laughter, cuddling in as Kira and I trap Amy into an Amy-sandwich. “I guess we really did need an Alpha to come in here and make some decisions for us, Amy. Maybe the stereotypes are true, after all.”

Kira snickers. “See, Beta? Omegas are an Alpha’s best wingman.”

Amy throws her head back with a groan. “Oh, my God, shut up, both of you!”

Kira cackles, kissing Amy square on the lips until she melts into a gushy puddle.

My heart feels looser now that the air has been cleared, allowing me to soften my tense abdominal muscles. I love seeing Amy so happy.

But as the movie begins and I settle back into the cushions, my bond with Noah suddenly shifts into chaos.

Noah's emotions gnaw at my stomach, ripping my insides into shreds as he spirals further into anger, overwhelm, and something too primal to describe.

I’m on my feet in a heartbeat. “Oh, God.”

Amy stands with me, her eyes wide with panic. “What is it?”

I grip my chest, panting through Noah’s tumbling emotions. “I don’t know. Noah feels—”

Kira is with you and Amy, right? Noah mindlinks.

I freeze. Yes, why?

I want to make sure you’re well-protected.

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