Page 57 of Alpha's Redemption

“I'll run you a bath,” he chuckles behind me before kissing my shoulder. I nod breathlessly and collapse on the bed before he speaks again.

“And I should probably reheat dinner, even though you just had a meal of sausage,” he laughs, and I reach for my pillow before lobbing it at him. He ducks and laughs while walking into the bathroom.

* * *

It’s the incessant noise of my phone ringing that wakes me the next morning and has me untangling myself from Valen; it’s still dark outside, so it must be early. He growls, trying to tug me back to him while I lean over him, reaching for my phone. Valen’s hands trail up my sides before he purrs and his lips lock around my nipple as I snatch my phone from the bedside table.

Peering at the screen, I see Macey’s picture pop up on the screen. I sit up, but Valen tries tugging me back to him and successfully pulls me on top of him. I push off his chest, straddling his waist as I answer it. Valen’s hand rubs my thighs as he mutters under his breath.

“Macey?” I ask, answering the call and holding it to my ear. “Macey?” I say again when I hear a choked whimper.

“I didn’t know who else to call. I can’t go home. My brother moved back in with my mother when I moved out. Zoe’s place is too small, and you know we clash when living with each other,” she says before sobbing.

“Mace, what’s wrong?”

“Can Taylor and I come stay the night? I know it’s terrible timing, but I told him, Evie. I told him and he stormed out. I don’t want to be here when he gets back,” Macey cries.

“Of course, come over. I’ll set up the spare room,” I tell her, and she quickly says goodbye. Valen stares up at me, his amber eyes glowing in the dark.

“What’s going on?” he says.

“I think Tatum just broke up with Macey,” I murmur, and he sits up.

“What?” Valen says, shocked, but I don’t want to say anything more because I’m not sure what’s going on myself. I climb off him and retrieve some clothes.

“I need to set up the spare room,” I tell him and he gets up, grabbing some shorts.

“I’ll help,” he says and I nod as he pulls his pants on.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Macey

I feel like an idiot calling Everly, but I can't sit at Zoe’s and try to hold myself together in front of her; she’s too emotional, and seeing her cry will make me fucking cry; the woman is a damn onion. Zoe wears her emotions for the world to see and tends to have an effect on people. I love that about her, but I just want silence right now.

Everly is the opposite. I swear she’s made of steel. It takes a lot to break that woman. Everly is our rock—the glue that holds us all together; she never judges, or questions, and is just there when you need her, no matter what.

So that’s why I chose her. I would have gone home to Mom, but even she isn't an option. She would blame me, and rightfully so. Mom loves Tatum, and so does Taylor. Now Tatum is just another person ripped away from her right as she got used to them—another way I’ve failed her.

Taylor is at Zoe's. I had been going to go over and pick her up, but I decide against it as I climb into my car; I would feel terrible knowing I ruined her night. I know Tatum will come home eventually, and I can't face him.

I should have known better. Werewolf men are all the same. They want heirs—something I can't provide. Is it too much to ask for somebody to want me and not what I can give them?

My phone vibrates as I’m about to pull out of the driveway. I stop, my shaking hands racing to dig it out of my handbag. Tatum's name pops up. It’s only a text message, and I open it.

‘Can you leave the back door open? I’ve lost my keys.’

‘I'm still home. I haven't left.’

‘I’ll grab some clothes tomorrow while you're at work.’

‘Want me to bring some clothes over to you? Where are you?’

‘No, and I’m at Creed's place. I don't want to see you right now. Just leave me be. You and Taylor can stay there until we figure something else out.’

‘I'll leave my keys in the mailbox for you. I’m not staying in your house while you sleep on your friend's couch,’I reply before tossing my phone back into my bag.

It rings and I ignore it. I don't want a handout, and I am not living in a house that belongs to someone who wants nothing to do with me.

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