Page 26 of Alpha's Redemption

Tears burn my eyes and Zoe's. Macey purses her lips, looks at the ceiling, and clicks her tongue. I suck in a breath before walking out toward the doors.

"Valarie wouldn't want you to risk yourself like this—risk her grandchild," Macey says, and I stop.

"That's unfair, Macey," I tell her, spinning around, and she shrugs.

"It's true," she says.

"Who do you think I am doing this for?" I tell her as tears slip down my cheeks.

"She gave me everything when I had nothing. She fought for me and all of us when no one else did. This—everything we have done and all those we helped—is for her. She had the vision to make this city free. It was supposed to be free. And they took it from her,” I tell them.

"I’m just getting it back and doing what she wanted. Nobody knew sacrifice more than that woman did. So yes, she wouldn't want me to do it, but she would understand why I have to; you don't get to use her against me!" I tell them before turning on my heel and walking out before one of us says something we can't take back.

Her words sting because I know she’s right. But Valarie, too, risked her life fighting for the rogues. She could have walked away, hung up the banners and stopped fighting, given in and reformed, but she didn't. She lost her son, her family's reputation, her home, and the city, and I will be damned if I let that keep repeating.

It takes me a few seconds to regain myself and I groan when I feel Valen getting closer at an alarming speed. I wipe my face just as Macey and Zoe come out behind me and Valen runs around the corner of the main building, looking panic-stricken. I’m a deer in headlights, suddenly feeling trapped—caught between my mate and my best friends, the girls I trust more than anyone. Valen grabs my arms.

"What happened? What's wrong?" he asks, his clothes in disarray from running. He looks around frantically for any danger before looking at Macey and Zoe behind me. I wait for it, wait for everything to unravel and fall apart again. We’re so close, so close.

"I'm fine. Where is Valarian?" I ask him.

"In the car with Marcus. What's going on?"

"Nothing. We disagreed. I'm fine, everything is fine,"

"You don't feel fine," Valen growls, cupping my face in his hands and looking at the girls.

I swallow, waiting for them to say something. "Why is everyone crying? Answer me, someone!" he snaps, looking at us all, and I look at them. Zoe opens her mouth. I beg her with my eyes not to, and she closes it.

"Nothing. We had a dispute over rosters. We wanted her to take some time off," Macey lies, looking at me. Relief floods me and I hang my head.

"Well, that's a good thing. I agree with them," Valen says, rubbing my arms. "I thought someone died or hurt you. Geez, you nearly gave me a heart attack," he murmurs, hugging me. I keep my mouth shut, unable to speak, but I’m grateful they didn't say anything.

Macey walks over to me and throws her arm over my shoulder. Zoe follows. We walk out to the car and find Marcus leaning against the hood. He moves to the back door and opens it, and Casey climbs out.

"Everything alright?" he asks Zoe, who nods to him. He doesn't look like he believes her either, but we all say our goodbyes. Macey grabs me as Valen climbs in the car.

"Thank you," I whisper to her.

"Please don't ever ask me to lie like this again.” She sighs. “But, I get it. Kick his fucking ass! I’ll be cheering from the sidelines and ready to hammer him if he hurts you," she whispers, kissing my cheek, and I chuckle.

The drive home is silent, but Valen keeps glancing at me. I can even feel his eyes on me as I stare out the window. He clutches my hand and I look at him before his voice flits through my head. His eyes go to Valarian in the mirror.

‘If it's about tomorrow, you can back out. I know it must be hard to challenge your father,’Valen says. I shake my head, and he squeezes my hand.

‘It's not that. Just don't be mad afterward,’I tell him, suddenly feeling guilty. We’ve come so far, and now I’m not only risking myself, but us. But I have a reason. He turns his head to the side to look at me.

‘Why would I be mad? I could never be mad at you,’Valen says.

‘What's going on?’he asks when I don't answer.

‘Nothing, I think Dad just got in my head,’I lie. It’s becoming a thing. Lying shouldn't be a thing, yet I know the rogues need this.Ineed this. This will set us free. But why does it have to risk so much?

‘If you're scared, Everly, you can back out. It's ok to be scared,’Valen says.

‘I'm not scared,’I tell him.

‘Good. Because the moment I think you're in trouble, I will be pulling you out. I won't let him hurt you.’

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