Page 38 of Wolf Tormented
I don’t doubt he would get them both—damn the consequences—and when hopelessness isn’t eating at me and making my limbs feel like lead I will tear him a new asshole.
“Then get up and get the fuck out of there. You’re scaring the fuck out of us. I thought you were the alpha female.” Alex pounds on the door.
I flinch at his accusing tone. Gods, why can’t they leave me alone to wallow in peace? I’m allowed to break on occasion.
This is bullshit.
“Can you just leave me alone? I’m just fucking upset,” I cry.
“No,” Alex shouts. “If you aren’t out here in ten seconds, I’m going to get Mom.”
He’s serious. He will get his mom if I don’t get the fuck up, but I’m still wearing only a towel.
“I’m not dressed, Alex. If you want me to come out, you’re going to need to leave for a minute.”
My voice doesn’t even sound like my own. It’s soft but rasping.
“Fine.” Stomping steps lead away from the bathroom door, and the door to my room clicks shut softly.
“He’s gone,” Angela whispers.
My bones ache as I sit up. I haven’t been on the floor long, but it feels like I have been curled in a ball for hours.
Standing, I unlock the door and pull it open, not meeting Angela’s eyes as I hobble to the closet. I pull on leggings and an oversize sweater and crawl into my bed, where I curl into a ball again.
“What happened?” Angela asks sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Nothing,” I say. “I can’t talk about it right now.”
Alex pushes the door open, but I can’t even muster a glare for him. He’s the asshole who made me move, but I don’t even care.
Numbness tingles through me. “I just want to be alone.”
My voice is hollow. Will I ever be normal again, or will I just continue to hope and let Archer hurt me by being a cold bastard?
Maybe my initial assessment of him was right. Maybe he will never love me the way I deserve.
“You need to stop, Jara. You are the alpha female. If anyone sees you like this, you could be challenged.” Alex crosses his arms.
A crazed laugh bubbles out of me. Let them try. I have nothing left to lose. They can’t fucking take me.
“Maybe I don’t care.”
What does it fucking matter anymore if I’m challenged? No matter how many times I prove myself, Archer doesn’t see it. He just pulls heavy-handed bullshit with the excuse he’s protecting me.
But why? Why protect me if he’s going to treat me like I don’t matter?
“You don’t care?” Alex scoffs.
“You watched me tear Crystal apart. Do you really think any female in this pack is stronger than me?”
I pull the blanket up to my chin, turning away from him as tears well in my eyes again. I don’t want to cry in front of anyone, but they won’t fucking leave.
“What is she doing?” Alex whispers in panic.
Angela huffs. “Get out. She’s upset.”
I can’t muster a laugh as I twist to find her shoving him out of the room.
