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The outpouring of support from people about my situation was unexpected. There was still significant hate, but I avoided my comment section to keep my head clear. Moving forward was hard when you still held on to the past. Hadn’t Pan and Lloydtaught me that lesson? They were making changes, and I was inspired.

When Seph reached out, I balked, but it was necessary. Chase affected her just as much as me and I owed it to her to explain my side of what happened.

“Did you have any idea what he was hiding?” I leaned forward.

Seph shook her head, looking over my shoulder at the expansive yard below us. Both our packs were down there, pretending to sunbathe by the pool. Really, they were waiting for any sign to intervene.

“It’s funny, people always say trust your gut and I wish I’d listened to mine. Deep down, I always had this notion that he never loved me. I don’t think he was capable of it, looking back. I can’t tell you how many nights I spent crying, wondering what I could do to make him see me.”

“Seph—” I protested as her eyes flooded with tears.

She dashed them away with a soft growl, and with great effort, she pulled her shoulders back. I saw myself in the movement. The way all women are forced to at some point in their lives. They take the hurt, bruised feelings and put them behind a shield. She’d revisit them in the midnight hours, when the quiet and shadows didn’t judge how she broke down.

“It makes sense, but I’m so angry.” Seph dabbed her eyes. “What he did to you makes me feel sick, and because of him, we lost so much time together. My pack has been incredibly supportive, even though they lost a brother.”

Seph’s soft, buttery scent was so familiar. But it took me to a place where I didn’t want to exist anymore.

“I don’t know what to say, but I’m glad your pack is looking after you.”

Seph had a worldly air, but was still humble. As a friend, she was spontaneous and generous. I wanted love for her, a deep,all-encompassing love. She needed healing, like all of us touched by Chase’s lies.

“Likewise.” Seph peered over the balcony and waved at the group of tense men. Ajax showed off something on his phone, doing his best to distract Seph’s alphas. “Do me a favor though, don’t let what happened with Chase ruin your future.”

My chest ached at the thought of my pack. Each day that passed, I softened more and more.

They’d made me their center and kept showing up, even when I was ungrateful or skittish. Forward was the only way, but I was stuck. I rubbed the mark Pan left on my neck and relaxed. There was good sprinkled amongst the bad right now. Pan was bright and tight in my chest, and I liked the feel of him.

After being alone for so long, it comforted me.

“Excuse me?”

“I saw you smiling at the gala, Tully. You saw a future with them until Chase…” Seph cut off and her hand scrambled over the small table and tangled in mine.

“I don’t know how to let it go,” I admitted.

I stared over the railing, and one by one, my pack turned their heads up. Lloyd sent me a bright smile and a wave. But there was a furrow in his brow I recognized. They were worried about what was happening up here.

“Look at your pack. They’re coiled tighter than springs right now.”

I considered them again, finding more stiffness the longer I looked.

Seph was right, but I still didn’t know what to do with the information.

Maybe I just had to lean into the mess like I did when I kissed Lloyd and let Pan fuck me with his tongue.

I changed the subject and for another hour, Seph and I talked about what we’d been up to. When it came time for her to leave, she paused for a moment.

“I debated whether I should give this to you. But I think it will help.”

My phone pinged with a video file. Seph smiled, and it was a bright footnote on a day I’d dreaded.

When she left, I marinated in her words. I shivered, reaching for a blanket on the couch before I paused. My pack milled around the kitchen. Ajax was cooking and the other three were helping.

“I’m cold,” I barely said it before they all bounded over. Lloyd tore off his hoodie and pressed it into my hands.

“Wear this, honey girl.”

Walden spent a good five minutes fussing with a blanket. Tucking it around my legs until I was perfectly cozy. When Walden was done, Pan placed a hot chocolate on the side table and gave me a wink.