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“Are you sure about that?” Blaise tilts his head, still a little too cheeky for my liking. I hate that the smile tugging at his full lips makes mine twitch too. “You’re all alone out here, in the middle of nowhere. No one for miles. Maybe you do need some help.”

I shake my head, frustration bubbling up. “I don’t need anyone, alright? I’ve been fine on my own for years.”

Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t have revealed that. What if they get even more curious and start digging into my background?

“You shouldn’t be out here alone,” the blond one – Xar – says, his voice softer now, like he’s trying to reason with me. “What if something happens? What if?—”

“Nothing is going to happen,” I cut him off, teeth gritted. “I’ll be fine.”

Even if I’m heart-breakingly lonely.

I pause, then add, “If you keep trespassing, I’ll call the police.”

There’s a moment of silence as they all process my words, and for a split second, I think I might’ve won. But then Blaise leans forward, his grin softening into something almost sincere.

“You don’t have to call the cops,” he says. “But we’re just trying to make sure you’re alright. We can mend the porch, fix the lock. Maybe make things safer for you and then be on our merry way. We won’t bother you again.”

I feel the pull of the offer, the temptation to say yes just so I can avoid the hassle of dealing with it myself. The farmhouse always needs work. But somehow I manage to stay strong.

Plus, I think he’s lying about not bothering me again. This feels like one of those, if I give an inch, they’ll take a mile type scenarios. Especially with Blaise. I can tell. He looks used to getting his own way.

Stay strong, Eviana.

“No,” I reply firmly. “I don’t need anything from you. I just need you to leave me alone.”

I don’t need an alpha – or three – charging in here to save the day. I’m not some poor, defenseless, helpless, weakomega. I’m a strong, independent, capable woman.

Sometimes.

The three of them exchange a look, like they’re weighing whether to push further. It’s Blaise who finally speaks again.

“You sure?”

“I don’t need anyone.” I feel the anger bubbling to the surface now. “I’ve been on my own for years, and I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”

“I feel like you’ve said ‘fine’ so many times, it’s lost all meaning now,” Blaise says with a teasing wink. I return it with a flat, nonplussed stare.

The silence that follows is heavy, and I can see the hesitation in their eyes, like they’re torn between pushing me more and accepting my refusal.

Finally, Xar lets out a frustrated breath, shaking his head in a way which makes his long locks swish prettily around his jaw before stepping forward, offering his hand. “Sorry if we’ve made things uncomfortable. We honestly just wanted to make sure you were alright. I know you said no, but if you change your mind, we’re here to help. We’re only a couple of miles down the lane. I think we’re probably your nearest neighbours.”

I hesitate for a moment, my mind spinning with the wordschange your mind. I’m not sure if it’s their offer of help or the fact that I’m standing this close to them that’s messing with me. They’re so…real, so there, in a way I didn’t expect.

I force myself to break the tension with a smile, even if it’s small and a bit shaky. I don’t take his proffered hand though. I’m not stupid. An alpha’s touch can be as intoxicating as his scent, and I refuse to be trapped by a moment of weakness that could unravel me completely. “I really am fine. I’ve told you already.”

They all stand there for a moment, and then Blaise lets out a sigh. “Alright, we’ll go. But you should know…” He leans in a bit, his voice quieter. “If you ever need anything, we’ll be around. We’re here for a while, in the house just down the road, so…just…don’t shut us out too quickly. If you change your mind?—”

“I won’t.” I don’t let him finish, sighing. They’re really pushing it and I feel like we’re all records stuck on repeat at this point.

“Alright,” he mutters. “We’ll leave.”

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod, even though part of me wants to say something else, something to keep them here. But I don’t.

“Goodbye,” I manage, stepping back.

Blaise raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything more. Damn him for being so cute and cocky-looking though. The three of them start heading back to the car, and I stand on theporch, the cold air biting through my jumper, my arms crossed tightly against my chest.

I watch them leave, their footsteps receding in the distance. For a second, I feel a strange mixture of relief and…something else.