Chapter 51
“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you,” Tristan said softly. “Because you were already going through so
much. I didn’t want to add my grief to your burden.”
“I didn’t try to kill myself last night,” I said firmly, watching the way both of them tensed up at my
words. “I need you both to understand that. I wasn’t trying to die.”
Orion pulled a chair directly in front of me and sat down, close enough that our knees were almost
touching. He looked like he was about to conduct an interrogation, and I knew there was no way I was
getting out of this conversation without telling them everything.
“What happened then?” he asked gently, taking both my hands in his larger ones. “Why did you take the pills? Tristan said you were getting better, that you’d even started taking self–defense classes.”
“I… I…” I started, then stopped, the words catching in my throat.
Orion squeezed my hands reassuringly. “Take your time.”
“I think I should leave you two to talk in private,” Tristan said, starting to stand up.
Orion’s head snapped up, and he gave Tristan a look that could have melted steel. The look clearly said ‘sit your ass back down right now or I’ll make you regret it.‘
Tristan understood the message perfectly. “I think I’ll stay,” he said, settling back into his seat. It made
me laugh despite everything.
When Orion goes into big brother mode, even Tristan has no choice but to obey. Some things never
change.
Tristan gently took my other hand from Orion’s and held it, completing our little circle. “You can tell us anything,” he said. “We’re here, and nothing and no one will ever hurt you again. I promise.”
Orion nodded. “We’re family. We protect each other, no matter what.”
I believed him. Orion doesn’t make promises he can’t keep. It’s one of the things that makes him such
a good leader.
“When I was at the market with Leah, I saw someone who looked like him,” I said, refusing to speak Daxon’s name out loud. I wouldn’t give him that power over me anymore.
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Chapter 51
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“The stranger was wearing the exact same clothes lie wore the day I rejected him. At first, I was certain
it was him,” I took a deep breath.
1 panicked and followed him, but when he turned around, it wasn’t him. It was just some innocent guy
who probably thought I was crazy.” I took a shaky breath.
Both of them wanted to say something about me chasing after a potential threat – I could see it in their raised eyebrows and clenched jaws – but they kept quiet and let me continue.
“But by then, I was already falling apart. I came home and couldn’t calm down, couldn’t stop shaking. I took the medication just so I could sleep, so I could make the fear stop.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” Tristan said, his voice thick with guilt. “If I hadn’t left to check on Seraphine,
this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Is there something else you’re not telling us?” Orion asked, his alpha or brother instincts clearly picking up on something I was holding back.
I felt my stomach drop. How could he always tell when I was hiding something?
“We all need to trust each other,” Orion continued, because at the end of the day, we only have the three of us. So if there’s anything either of you aren’t saying, say it now.”
He looked between me and Tristan. Tristan raised an eyebrow. “Brother, this conversation isn’t about me. Besides, you already know about what I lost.” His voice broke slightly on the last word.
Orion nodded and turned his full attention back to me.
I swallowed hard, feeling tears threatening to spill over. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure they could both hear it.
“I lost a pup,” I said, the words coming out like they were being ripped from my chest.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
