Page 3 of Who We Were

My throat closes and I fight the wobble of my bottom lip. "I know," I whisper, and close my eyes.

"As for your?—"

My head snaps up, a little growl slipping from my thudding chest.

Whining, purring, hissing, growling or ANY instinctual sound is FORBIDDEN.

Another rule from the academy that rehab has worked to override and one of the only ones that's been easy for me to kick.

"As forPaul," Kate continues, stressing the alpha’s name, "I think you two really need to have a conversation."

Angry now, I brush past her, opening the door and stomping my way outside. Turning to walk backward, I throw my arms wide with annoyance. "What's there to say?Hi, I'm the daughter you never gave a shit about. Sorry I'm so fucking damaged you have to babysit a twenty-two-year-old so she doesn't kill herself?"

Kate's mouth pops open and her gaze flicks over my shoulder. A second later, the scent of fresh snow and a choked, pained voice assault my senses.

"Amaya? Is that you, darling?"

I fight the urge to curl in on myself, but I do anyway. It seems every strong, independent skill I've learned flies out the window in the face of the man who should have loved me more than anything in the world. There were many scenarios I thought about the past few weeks since the OPS got into contact with my father, the man I've only known of by name, but this wasn't it.

I completely wilt under my father's imposing stare and towering height because, while I have been put through alifetime of humiliation, none is worse than forcing my father to pretend to care about me.

No expectations.

For all I know, he's just here to protect his reputation. I bet he'll stick me in a house and forget about me as soon as we're out of here. Paul never wanted a cute, bubbly little girl, so he sure as shit won't want me now. I'm just a shredded girl who has no clue how to survive.

And I don't know if I even want to.

2

PAUL

“Hello, is this Mr. Arison?"

Tucking my phone between my shoulder and ear, I drag my notepad toward me. "This is. How may I help you?"

A relieved sigh fills the line, but I'm used to strange reactions when people get ahold of me. I'm a highly sought after lawyer in Baltimore, so I can't make time for everyone who needs me, unfortunately.

"Mr. Arison, this is Stacey from the OPS Rehabilitation Center."

I've heard of the new system that was thrown together to help those poor kids get back on their feet. I haven't worked with anyone directly from the center, but maybe they need some help too. The amount of shit that needs sorting from that god awful academy has been brought to my attention and even landed on my desk a few times this past year.

I'm part of a whole team of enforcement and lawyers trying to sort this fuckery out and make sure these monsters are thrown away for good. Not to mention the omega traffickingthat seriously needs to be brought down. Aside from my daily work, I've used all my extra time and energy helping the OPS dismantle The Premium Designation Academy from a legal standpoint.

"How can I help you Stacey?" I reply, readying myself to take notes.

It's silent for a beat until Stacey clears her throat. "I'm contacting you on behalf of Amaya Rose."

Rose. That sounds familiar.

My brows furrow as I rack my brain in hopes of why that name strikes a chord. I deal with a lot of people, good and bad guys, so I'm going to need some more direction. "I am unfamiliar with that name."

"Yes, my apologies," Stacey says. I detect a hint of nervousness, but my concern for the woman flies out the window with her next statement. "I'm calling on behalf of one of our omegas here at our rehabilitation center. Amaya Rose needs your help. Your daughter, Mr. Arison."

For the pasttwo weeks that phone call has played over and over in my mind.

I have a daughter!

That's not the only part of that phone call that ripped my heart out and shredded my soul. Not only do I have a daughter who I never knew existed, but the poor girl was at that fucking academy. I spent hours and days going through the information they sent me on Amaya.

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