Page 25 of My Possessive Alpha

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see her or that I didn’t want the chance to make amends, but in all honesty, I was nervous. I was afraid of what she would have to say to me, even if I deserved every angry word she might have to sling at me.

I left her behind, and during a time, I believed she was rotten, just like the rest of her family. Of course, that was so far from the truth, and even without talking to her for years, I knew that much to be true.

But as that guilt mounted higher within me, I swallowed back my fears and pulled the door open.

The moment Zoe straightened herself out, acknowledging our mutual reopening of the muddied connection, she met my gaze with a heaviness in her dark eyes.

Maintaining eye contact was difficult at first, as we could both feel the immediate awkwardness as it hung between us, but Zoe eventually sighed.

“Hi.”

Trying to wade through that unspoken tension, I tried to pull a small smile for her. “Hi, Zoe.”

At the sound of her name leaving my mouth, I watched as her shoulders dropped, releasing the tension in her body as if finally lowering her defenses. “Can I come in?”

Even if I wanted to say no, I just couldn’t. There was too much left unsaid between us, and given how she had reacted to seeing me when I first arrived, I was afraid of missing the chance to explain myself. At least she seemed more receptive than before, and I took that as a good sign.

While that awkwardness lingered between us as I moved aside to let her in, I closed the door and followed her into the living room. Since it was her brother’s house, she moved through the space with familiar ease and sat on one of the love seats. In tow, I claimed the one beside it and found my throat impossibly dry.

I harbored so much regret for how everything happened, and with the opportunity in front of me to clear the air, I didn’t want to screw it up. Yet, I couldn’t find the right thing to say and didn’t know where to start.

Thankfully, Zoe sighed and met my gaze. “I’m sorry for how I reacted the other day…but it happened so fast, and I just couldn’t wrap my head around seeing you again. It was rude of me, but if you’re willing, I’m ready to talk and try to make up for it.”

While it was only the beginning of the conversation, hearing that from her gave me the hope to see it through and regain my bearings.

I nodded without needing to think about it. “I would like that very much. And I don’t blame you; it was very sudden. If you don’t mind, I’d like to explain myself first.”

Seeming prepared to listen, Zoe nodded and figuratively offered me the floor.

Gathering myself with a deep breath, I knew it was now or never. “I didn’t know my family was moving until the day it happened all those years ago. My parents lied to me and said some horrible things to make sure I didn’t see you or your familyagain, which was why I never said anything before we left the pack. I was confused and afraid about what they were telling me, and regretfully, I believed them. What they said stopped me from ever reaching out, and it took me running away from them to realize how much they sheltered me since that day. With Sebastian’s help, I’ve been deconstructing those lies, and as a result, I’ve realized that my preconceived notions of you and your brother were all because of them. I’ve also learned that those opinions don’t accurately reflect how I really feel.”

Zoe’s eyes never left mine as I spoke, taking in every word as carefully as possible. I watched as understanding moved through her gaze, eventually softening. “I’ll admit, I felt abandoned when it happened. For a while, I wondered what I had done wrong or if I had pushed you away somehow. I questioned if I had been a bad friend or if I didn’t do enough to keep you in my life. It was really hard, but Sebastian called me the other day and told me about what happened with your alpha, and I know it wasn’t your fault. None of it was.”

“But I never even tried to contact you,” I murmured, feeling a swell of regret and guilt in my chest. “We were so close. We spent almost every day together, and I disappeared without saying anything. I could’ve tried at least.”

Zoe closed her eyes at that and shook her head gently. “I used to think that way before, but with what I know now, I’m aware it wasn’t that easy for you. Your parents…they wouldn’t have allowed that. Even if you tried, you would’ve gotten yourself in trouble.”

“I would have, but it would’ve been worth it.”

“Maybe,” she hummed, letting go of a slight chuckle, smiling faintly. “But there’s nothing we can do about that now. Now, I can only say that I’m sorry I ever resented you forwhat happened. I’m sorry you had to go through that with your parents and alpha. I’m sure it was far from easy.”

Nodding with a grateful air thanks to her understanding, that familiar dread reappeared in my chest at the reminder of where I came from and what I had left behind. “It’s been difficult to unpack, but Sebastian has helped a lot with that.”

Zoe’s smile pulled a little more at that, falling into a familiar ease that used to come to us so naturally before. “That part is…a little strange to me still, but I’m glad you’re here and that you two have each other.”

Catching on to how she must be feeling due to the recent developments of our bond, I couldn’t help but put on a sheepish expression. “So, you don’t completely hate that I’ve bonded with your brother?”

She laughed at that, and the sound was enough to erase the slight hesitation in my chest. “No, of course not. It’ll take some getting used to, but if it had to be anyone, at least it’s you.”

We shared a mutual smile at the sentiment, and at last, the remnants of tension seemed to ebb away. It made me feel better knowing that Zoe wasn’t angry with me anymore and we had the chance to move on from everything.

“That being said, do you want to go walk around town for a bit? We have some pretty nice trails around here,” Zoe suggested, letting that relaxed familiarity settle between us.

Heart lighter than before, I smiled and prepared to pick up where we left off. “I’d love to.”

Chapter 15 - Sebastian

I used never to understand why the guys would get so lost in thought while at the office and be constantly hung up on their mates, but I was beginning to understand just how easy it was to slip into those daydreams.

---