Page 2 of Damaged Princess

"You're not alone," Evie assures me, squeezing me tight. "Aww, crap. My boobs are tender as hell lately. Okay, side-hug only."

I laugh as she pulls back so I'm not squished to her chest. I swipe a hand under my eye, trying to make sure my makeup hasn't run all over my face.

"Vik doesn't seem the type to play games," Evie says, grabbing a handful of tissues. She comes back, offering them to me.

I take them, blowing my nose.

"Yeah, he didn't seem that way to me either. I think I misinterpreted things." I sigh, shaking my head. "We were like oil and water anyway. It never would have worked long-term."

"My guys and I couldn't be more different from one another," Evie says, guiding me back into the office and nodding for me to have a seat on the couch. "You two obviously have chemistry. That much was plain to see, even to me. Hell, I could've seen that without my glasses."

I snort. She really is cute sometimes. Is there such a thing as cheesy mom jokes? Because, if so, Evie will be the carpool mom busting them out left and right.

It's so hard to think of Vik. Yeah, the sex was off-the-charts incredible, but it was heat sex. I'm pretty sure there's no bad sex during a heat. But it's not the fucking that made it so unforgettable.

It was the way he tookcareof me.

My entire life, I've always sworn to myself that I'd never get involved with a guy like my father or any of his men.

That unrepentant alpha who takes and barks to get what they want.

Sometimes, Vik reminded me a little too much of my father. Other times, the differences were clear. I never thought he'd be the type to disappear, but I've learned that I'm not a good judge of character.

"He's coming back soon." Evie takes a seat on the edge of her desk. "I know things are complicated, but I do think the two of you should talk."

"He's not the talking type," I say, laughing. "He's more the kind to grunt out demands, then get pissed if you don't follow orders."

"Yeah, I've got one or two of that kind myself," she says. "I know it's been hard on you. It's a huge adjustment from what you're used to, but you are safe here."

"I know," I agree, wiping my eyes. "I think I let myself believe that he'd be a more permanent fixture in my life and…" I shrug. "I needed that stability."

I shake my head.

We only spent a couple of weeks together before he left. I think I became the woman who goes on one date and starts planning a wedding.

My stomach churns. I'm supposed to be stronger than this.

I thought I was more resilient than to fall apart at the seams over a man. Everything feels so out of control lately. I don't know where to begin fixing it. My impulses demand I hide, but I don't even have a nest of my own. Not really.

"I get it," Evie says, drawing me out of my thoughts. "It's even harder, because as an omega your system seeks an alpha for protection and validation. Without it…" She sighs. "I totally get it. But Ana, you're going to have to talk to him or make some kind of other arrangements. Your next heat will be here before you know it."

"I know," I grumble. I'm not looking forward to meeting alphas or putting myself out there again. "Honestly, I don't know how you did it and managed to stay so upbeat and positive."

"It's not easy," Evie says, sighing. "Especially because our instincts demand we please alphas. And being rejected?" She hums. "It was very bad for my self-worth. In all honesty, I don't think Viktor is rejecting you. I think he had some things he needed to take care of."

"Yeah." I laugh derisively. "Something that takes a month to accomplish? Sorry, I'm not buying it." I blow out a breath. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

Evie smiles. "I know. I get it. You're frustrated with Vik. And seriously, you have every right to be. He should've made it clear if he knew he'd be away this long. He also should've clarified what he was doing. I guess all I'm saying is don't lose hope. Don't completely write him off until you know for sure the specifics of the situation."

Evie really is too sweet for her own good. In the real world, when a guy ghosts you for four weeks you don't give them the opportunity to lie and cover their ass. You ignore their bullshit excuses and move along to the next well-shaped dick.

Which would be a whole lot easier if my impulses weren't demanding I track him down and make him…like me?

Love me?

I don't even know.

All I do know is I hate it. Every instinct in my body needs his approval, and it makes me feel entirely too vulnerable. And seriously pathetic. I want to bang my head against the wall until I locate some sense.

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