Page 12 of My Brutal Alpha

But Zoe was obviously struggling with our plan, and while I wanted to understand, given our past, it still annoyed me.

Regardless, I forced myself to ignore it. It wasn't important.

Pushing everything aside, I kept my eyes on the road and tried to ignore the fact that her familiar scent was filling the cab of my truck, reminding me of the time we had spent together.

Despite her refusal to speak to me, I couldn’t help but reflect on how well we had gotten along before. We seemed to mesh together so effortlessly, yet after the pain I had caused, Zoe was still closed off.

Even if she agreed to help me with my parents, that didn't mean she'd make some miracle one-eighty and stop hating me overnight. I knew that was a long shot.

Eventually, as we passed between territories, moving along those secluded roads, we pulled into my pack grounds. A sense of ease and comfort blanketed me as I took those familiar turns and eventually reached my street.

While Sebastian and everyone else's pack grounds felt like a home away from home, there was no better feeling than returning to your own territory.

Finally, I pulled into the driveway and noticed Zoe's vague apprehension. Yet she corrected herself quickly and replaced it with an indifferent expression.

I had the feeling she was trying to play it cool, but I knew she was trying to come to terms with it in the same way I was.

Given our history, there was no doubt why it felt so strange to find ourselves in that position despite both agreeing to it.

We had been a significant part of each other's life, if only briefly, only to end everything on a cold note. Given the intimate implications of our arrangement, it was difficult to come to terms with.

I killed the engine, pulling the keys out as I looked at her again and handed them to her. "Go ahead, I'll grab your bags."

Zoe looked at me hesitantly for a moment as if second-guessing every little thing I said despite it being completely harmless.

With a sigh, I pushed them into her hand gently before popping my door open and getting out.

Knowing we had been in a good place once was irritating, but I kept silently reminding myself that she wasn't to blame. It was a result of my own carelessness, and it was entirely my fault.

As I walked to the back and hauled her bags out, I watched Zoe unlock the front door before pushing her way inside, leaving it open for me.

While I carried her things in, I couldn't ignore the subtle pain that moved through my chest. I still couldn't believe what I had done to her and how the consequences were still biting me in the ass. As much as I wanted to think I was valid in my reasons for rejecting Zoe before, I knew they didn't add up, given just how hurt she had been by it.

Something in me just wanted her to see that I wasn't a horrible guy, but I knew it would take a lot more convincing than just a few hours.

Even if Zoe had agreed to the plan, she seemed mostly reluctant about it as she walked ahead while I closed the door.

"The spare room's—"

"Upstairs on the right, I know," Zoe murmured before climbing the staircase as I followed.

Hearing that simple recall from her struck me harder than I expected it to.

It was easy to forget how often she had been at my house before and how well she knew the place. That guilt only deepened the longer I considered it.

Before I could drive myself crazy, I followed her up the stairs until we eventually reached the spare room.

Zoe stepped inside first, taking a brief look around while I carefully put her bags down before putting my hands in my pockets.

"I can grab you whatever you need for the ensuite. Just let me know what you like," I said, hoping she'd find something in my offer.

Still, Zoe stood there, glancing around somewhat awkwardly. She looked at me for only a moment, then nodded to herself. "Will do."

It wasn't the greatest answer, but it was at least words, so I wasn't willing to be picky about it.

Instead, I gave her a nod before I backed toward the door, well aware that she wouldn't want me hovering. "I'll be downstairs if you need anything."

At her quiet hum of acknowledgment, I left the room and closed the door before I started down the hall again.

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