Page 61 of Who We Were

I narrow my gaze, still half hiding behind a rumbling Vincent. "Every nap I've had, my doorbell rings."

"Oh," the beta mumbles, cringing.

Emmett nudges Oliver and clears his throat. "Maya, can we talk to you?Please?"

Sass sizzles in my veins, begging to be unleashed on the men who've hurt me, but before I can sayaren't we talking right now, Kate's car pulls into my driveway, followed by Paul's.

I release a soft groan and slam my forehead into Vincent’s back in defeat.

"I'm sorry, little mate." Vince turns and tucks me into his side. He places a kiss on top of my head and explains, "I wasn't gonna be able to hold them off forever."

I nod and release a sigh.I knew this was coming.I've been silent and obviously struggling for weeks, then the cops were called. I'm shocked the suicide watch didn't show up sooner.

"Who's that?" Emmett growls.

As I step around him and Oliver on my porch, Vincent responds for me. "Her dad. The other two would be Kate and Beckett. Check-in supports from rehab, and our friends."

"Ohfuck!" Oliver gasps. "Is that Beckett? Shit, Em, he's going to kill us."

I ignore his dramatics and the fact that he knows Beckett. I have bigger problems; convincing everyone I'm just fucking fine.

40

OLIVER

Ihalf expect Amaya to turn around and tell me not to worry about her friends. The girl I knew when we were kids would always console me when my anxiety started showing. She's the only one who never expected me to be anything but myself.

When a smile wasn't plastered on my face, she never looked at me funny. Amaya always made it known that she loved me whether or not I was cracking jokes.

So why the hell had I forgotten who she was when it mattered most?

My kindhearted omega walks down her driveway without a backward glance at me even though I'm freaking out. The last time we saw Beckett, I thought he was going to fucking murder me.

"So you've met Beckett?" Vincent drawls and when I glance at him, he's smirking and fuck if it doesn't set me further on edge. Never have I seen this alpha smile, and this one is nowhere near friendly.

"Uh," I stammer. "I'm pretty sure he doesn't like us."

Vincent snorts and doesn't hide his words. "Can't imagine why."

I turn back to the driveway just in time for Beckett to realize we're here. Amaya is on the other side of the car with her friend and dad, so at least she isn't in the line of fists and rage.

"Why are they here?" Beckett snarls at Vincent, having stomped his way to us.

To my utter surprise, Vincent growls, then shoves his way between the blond alpha and us. Emmett tugs on my shoulder and places me behind him, which almost makes me take my first step inside my omega's home.

The yummy scent of flowers invades my senses, calming me enough to put a hand on Emmett's back to soothe him as well.

"Watch your mouth, Beckett," Vincent warns, squaring off with him.

Nudging my alpha to the side a bit, I watch Beckett frown and study us. "You can't be serious?" he hisses incredulously. "You'reprotectingthem? After everything Amaya has been through?"

Emmett growls low in his throat. If I'm being honest, I don't really care for my omega's name in this guy's fucking mouth either.

"Careful," Vincent warns, his fists twitching. "I'm doing whatmyomega asks of me, and she hasn't requested I beat them to death like you look like you're about to."

"But they?—"

"Are not your fucking concern, Beckett!" Vincent snarls, cutting the other alpha off. "They aremyfated pack, and Amaya ismyomega."

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