My mouth dries, tongue sticking to the roof. “We mutually decided the pack wasn’t working.”
A lie, but easier to say than admitting Auren pushed me out after draining every bit of security and stability he could from me.
“It wasn’t mutual!” Auren hunches inward, and he clutches the blanket in tight, trembling fists. “They made me agree to kick you out. They said they would hurt me if I didn’t go along with it.”
My heart hammers, and the room tilts, forcing me to widen my stance to stay balanced.
“That’s not what happened,” I say, my voice steady despite my vision blurring at the edges. “But that’s irrelevant to tonight’s situation.”
The male officer takes a step forward. “Ms. Wilson, your current relationship with Mr. Dovelle is…?”
“I’m an ex-pack member.” I manage to extract myself from Auren’s grasp. “Nothing more.”
The officer studies me for a beat, as if trying to drag the truth out. My skin prickles under the scrutiny, but I don’t waver until he nods and steps back.
“We’ll need statements from everyone.” Officer Chen flips to a new page in her notebook. “Starting with Mr. Dovelle.”
The next thirty minutes pass in a blur of accusations and denials.
Auren weaves a tale of abuse and neglect, trembling at all the right moments. Mark counters with evidence of shopping sprees and expensive gifts, pointing out inconsistencies in Auren’s story. Jacob backs up Mark, offering times and dates that contradict Auren’s claims.
Throughout it all, I stand still, answering only direct questions with facts uncolored by emotion.
When the officers leave to consult with the doctor, the room falls silent except for the steady beep of the monitor and Auren’s exaggerated breaths.
“This is ridiculous.” Mark runs a hand through his hair. “We’ve done nothing but cater to your every whim for months.”
Auren turns away, a perfect tear sliding down his cheek. “Em, don’t let them take me.Please. I can’t go back there with them.”
My fingers tingle with numbness, and I flex them to restore circulation.
“Can you give us a moment?” I motion toward the door, suggesting the Alphas step out.
“Fine.” Mark tosses the satchel onto the visitor chair. “Here are the clothes you demanded we go back home to get for you.”
When the door closes behind them, I turn to Auren. His eyes shine with unshed tears, his lower lip caught between his teeth, bruising the plump flesh.
I sink to my knees beside the bed, bringing us to eye level, and the hard floor digs into my kneecaps. “You can’t stay with them if you feel unsafe.”
He brightens. “I knew you still loved?—”
“But you can’t come home with me,” I cut in.
He freezes. “What?”
“There’s an Omega protective house in Pinecrest. They have counselors, security, and resources. You’ll be safe there.” I rest my palms on the mattress, careful not to touch him. “I’ll help you get settled, but that’s all I can offer.”
Auren stares at me, betrayal flashing before it morphs into fury. The monitor beside the bed beeps faster as his pulse spikes with the first evidence of real emotion.
“You don’t mean that.” His voice drops to asoft, dangerous whisper. “You’re my Alpha. You’re supposed to take care of me.”
“I’m not your Alpha anymore, Auren.” I swallow hard. “You made your choice when you pushed me out of the pack.”
His pheromones spike with anger, sweetness twisting into a cloying haze that fills the room, clogging my nose and coating the back of my throat.
He reaches for my hand. “You can’t abandon me again.”
I pull back before he can touch me. “I didn’t abandon you before, and I’m not abandoning you now. I’m offering help that isn’t…us.”