Page 38 of My Possessive Alpha

Even thinking about it made my stomach ache, and I couldn’t shake that feeling of betrayal.

Regardless of their lies and disturbing allegiance to Jack, I still felt guilty for disappearing without a word.

Since I had never stood up for myself before, they had been under the assumption I was okay with their encouragement in allowing Jack to pursue me. I left without a trace, and it struck that little girl within me who sought her parents’ approval. The girl who did whatever they said and followed the rules perfectly, all so that I could remain in their good graces.

As much as I knew that shouldn’t have been my responsibility to bear as a child, that reflex still ached within me—the one that yearned to conform and gain validation through obeying them.

Despite the guilt, I still didn’t trust them. How could I, after finding out everything I thought I knew about Sebastian was a lie?

Dad's expression softened at my hesitation, unable to utter a single word to them, and he held a hand out for me. “We understand that you might be confused and apprehensive about the arrangement back home, but we just want the chance to explain ourselves. We want to work things out, Lydia.”

“Please,” Mom repeated, allowing me to see the emotions gathering in her eyes. “Just talk to us. It’s been so long, and we’ve been worried sick about you.”

While I didn’t doubt that was true, it was difficult for me to discern what was really them speaking and what simply came from their need to maintain control.

Caught between two places—one that spoke of my rage and sadness over their lies and the other being that instinctualneed to follow their orders—my stomach was in knots. At that moment, it was all too much.

I should’ve been able to stand my ground and advocate for myself, but seeing them like that, all while knowing the nuances of the situation, I could only reach for a feeble excuse.

I let go of a shaky breath. “I’m meeting someone, and they’ll be here soon.” I couldn’t take my eyes away from them as I did my best to maintain my composure. “Leave before someone notices you’re here.”

Mom’s sadness deepened even more as tears filled her eyes, and Dad put a supportive hand on her shoulder. Even from there, I saw how she shook in place.

“Just…just think about it,” she said, sniffling. “Whenever you’re ready to talk, we’ll be here. You only need to seek us out. We just need to see you in person—it will mean more that way.”

As I stood there like a deer caught in headlights, that guilt and remorse ebbed and flowed within me. On one hand, I wanted to hear what they had to say. I wanted to know what could’ve possibly possessed them to lie to me for so long, but on the other, I was still upset. Facing them from that distance alone was hard enough.

Even if seeing the emotions on their faces made me waver somewhat, I knew I couldn’t talk to them just yet.

I was torn, but I could feel the existence of my bond with Sebastian in my chest. It was the evidence of something meaningful and real between us, not a relationship built on a foundation of lies and deceit.

I trusted him and knew he wouldn’t want me to give in.

At least, I was too paralyzed to make that decision anyway, and keeping my distance was more of a default reaction.

Swallowing back the confusing twist of emotions, I pointed toward them with more urgency. “Go!”

They both flinched slightly at my tone, but with some reluctance, they eventually turned and continued back the way they came. I watched all the while their figures disappeared within the trees with my heart in my throat.

Shaken and distraught about the whole thing, I pulled myself away and hurriedly followed the path into town, afraid I might find myself in a worse situation if I waited around.

All the while, I could barely process the encounter.

A part of me wanted my parents in my life, but I was still angry with them, and I wasn’t sure if that trust could ever be repaired again.

It was all so confusing, and it felt like I had to choose between them or Sebastian, which didn’t make the situation any easier.

I cared very much for him, and I didn’t want anything to come between us and our bond, but it also felt like a piece of me was being pulled away, knowing I couldn’t associate with my family anymore.

Given their associations with Jack, I knew Sebastian would freak out, and I couldn’t blame him. He was working hard to keep me safe.

He was looking out for me as he had been since the day our paths crossed again.

Pulling it together again, I silently urged myself to keep it in. I was about to see Zoe, and I didn’t need her to catch on to the fact that something happened.

I saw a future for myself by Sebastian’s side with his pack, and I didn’t want anything else. I certainly didn’t want to bewithout him, but something in me still wanted to have faith in my parents.

As I eventually reached Zoe’s place and made my way up the front steps, I tried to put together reasons why my parents could’ve sought me out.

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