“Most of them think I should at least give him a chance. So… you guys support me stopping him from claiming me?”
Their expressions stop me in my tracks. Because nobody looks sure. None of them.
“I didn’t see any of your names on the petition, other than Erica’s. What the fuck, you guys?”
Stacy looks guilty. I’ve already figured Stacy out. But the fact that Amie and Ivy are looking at me the way Stacy is has stopped me in my tracks.
“Isn’t that just great,” I mutter, dissolving into full-blown ugly crying.
And the girls close in.
“Bailey, we’re on your side,” Stacy assures.
“You guys are just humoring me.” I state.
“We support you,” Erica says.
“You do, but what about you guys?” I ask the others. “You think I should give in?”
“Nobody’s saying that.” Erica shakes her head. “I’m supporting you whatever your position is on Jason. Because you’re my friend. Also because you’d support me no matter what.”
“I would.”
“You’ve been here for all of us,” Ivy says, squeezing my hand. “You supported each of us through our mating journeys and we’re here to do the same for you. That’s all. End of story. I’ll sign that petition right now. Show me where.”
“Me, too,” Amie agrees.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Grey asked me to stay out of it,” Stacy says, “Or I’d sign it, too.”
I frown. “Grey asked you to stay out of it?”
“He’s doing his hardest to stay out of it so asked me to do the same. Girl, I support you. But I also think that maybe… just maybe… Jase– ”
My phone starts ringing from my desk.
“Got it,” Stacy rushes over to fetch it.
“Saved by the bell,” Amie mutters.
“Lucinda Walsh,” Stacy announces, walking it to me while it’s still ringing. “Want me to get it?”
I nod so she answers while I try to compose myself. Ivy passes me a wad of Kleenex.
“Hello Lucinda, this is Stacy, Bailey’s sister-in-law. She’s right here. One sec, okay?”
I pull in a breath and breathe it out slowly as I take the phone.
“Hi, Lucinda.”
“I can’t speak long. I’ll be succinct. I see what you’ve sent and I support your position.”
“You do?” I ask, shocked.
“It’s never sat well with me, the whole alpha male claiming a female without their consent. It’s prehistoric.”
“I… I agree. I’m running a petition and have a request for testimonials out, cases where females who were claimed by alphas wish they’d had a choice, but it’s only been twenty-four hours and I only have another twenty-four hours before the Young spell expires and–”