Page 110 of Alpha's Forbidden Fate

Annie mumbles something about getting sugar for her tea and scurries to the kitchen but hovers near the door, obviously listening. Selene stays quiet, her eyes fixed on the table.

I start to stand up to grab my shoes, but Mom grabs my arm. “I mean both of you,” she says, her tone brooking no argument.

Selene looks up, startled, and I can see the fear in her eyes.

Dad chimes in, “We can’t have this conversation here.”

And he’s right, of course. We can’t risk being overheard.

I shoot a glance at Annie, who seems completely clueless to what is really happening. Bless her heart.

“I’ll go grab my coat,” I say to my parents, trying to keep my voice steady.

They nod, and Mom mentions they brought their car, so we’ll all go back to the house together. Selene’s trembling beside me as we head out of her room. She keeps looking toward the window like she’s searching for an escape route.

“You’ll be okay,” I tell her, trying to sound reassuring even though I’m not sure I believe it myself.

She shakes her head, her voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t know that,” she says, her eyes wide with fear. “If other vampires see me with Council members, I could be in danger.”

I hate that I’ve put her in this position, but I know we have to face this head-on. “I won’t let anyone hurt you,” I promise. “You’re mine, baby, and I’ll protect you.”

She blinks once but does not question my statement, and I know it’s time.

After we talk to my parents, I need to come clean with Selene about everything.

We walk back into the living room, and there’s Annie, sipping on her tea like nothing happened. Dad gives her a nod, and she scuttles away, looking more frazzled than ever.

“Let’s go,” Dad says, and I don’t let go of Selene’s hand as we head out of her apartment and into the backseat of Dad’s car. Mom’s quiet, and Dad’s focused on the road ahead.

“We can talk at my place since it’s closer,” I suggest.

But Mom throws a wrench in the works. “Emmett’s at our house,” she says, and I feel my blood boil.

“What’s he doing there?” I demand sharply.

Mom sighs, her expression weary. “He was worried about you, so he reached out,” she explains, like it’s no big deal.

I growl under my breath, feeling Selene tense beside me. I shoot her a reassuring glance, trying to keep my temper in check.

The rest of the drive is silent, tension thick enough to suffocate. When we finally pull up to the house, Colt and Layla are waiting for us at the door, eyeing Selene suspiciously.

“Stop gawking,” I snap, feeling protective over Selene. We enter the house, and I spot Emmett and Grayson in the kitchen, their backs turned to us.

Grayson greets Selene with a polite nod. “Hello, Miss Black,” he says, and everyone turns to look at us. Selene’s cheeks flush red as she waves at Grayson.

Layla can’t help but make a snide comment. “Just how many people are friends with the vampire?” she asks, and Selene flinches, making my protective instincts kick into overdrive.

“You will call her by her name,” I say.

“Really? You really think that you have any right to speak to me like that after dishonoring our family?” Layla says, stepping up to me.

I take a step forward.

She does, too.

Colt is folding his arms, watching us intently.

“You don’t know what you are talking about, Layla,” I say through gritted teeth.

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