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“My pack and I go for a run with a group of friends a few times a week. It’s really lowkey, and we choose a different route whenever possible,” she explains. “Since you enjoy running and being outside, would you like to join us?”

I don’t know if I should say yes. I really want to, because I would love it and it would give me a chance to spend more time with them. I just don’t know if my mother would feel it was an appropriate choice.

“We can run it by your mother as well,” Abbott adds. “Trust me, we’ve all been in contact with her for the past year, and she’s intense. Let us run interference. We just need the nod of approval from you.”

“Then, yes,” I say with a nod. “I’d really like that.”

The other packs make sure to find their own ways to spend time with me, and my head spins at how loud it becomes.

“Oye!” Carter yells, banging on the table. “A little less of that, please. She just went white as a sheet.”

“Shit, sorry,” Easton says, wincing. “It’s safe to say we’re all enjoying ourselves and got a little excited. What if we put our numbers in your phone, and text you throughout the week. We’ll make plans only if you’re comfortable. You don’t need to agree if the vibes aren’t right.”

“In fact, you don’t even have to respond,” Carter says,making my lips part in shock. “No, it’s not rude. Ghost their asses.”

The very idea makes me giggle. “That’s not nice,” I tell him, pulling my phone from my clutch. There’s not a lock feature on it, so I simply hand it to the alpha beside me.

“You shouldn’t leave your phone unlocked,” the alpha next to me mutters, opening my contacts before glancing at me.

I know there aren’t any contacts, no social media apps, not a single text message that he’ll find on the phone, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment. If this doesn’t say I’m being held hostage by my mother, then I don’t know what does.

As he enters his number, he bites his lip hard as if he’s angry.

“Everything Carter said is true,” he drawls under his breath, releasing his lip. His name is Silas, and I can tell he’s measuring his words carefully. Everyone else is talking, which means only I can hear him. “However, I think it’s important to see the world outside of these four walls. There is a small step between a well meaning parent and a jailer, Nina. Use us to get out. Even if we aren’t who you want as your pack. Abbott is right. We’ve all been in communication with your mother, and recognize that she’s a tyrant.”

My heart pounds as I watch him hand my phone to the next person, and it begins its journey around the table.

“Just think about it,” Silas adds.

He’s right. I know he is. I just need to make sure I don’t do anything that’ll cause me to end up at Weeping Willow again, or any hospital like it. Their form of therapy, or rather torture, isn’t something I ever want to undergo again. It’s why I’ve been so careful to jump through every hoop my mother has presented to me.

My phone makes it back to me, and I tuck it back into my clutch just as the omega who haunts my thoughts steps outside. My energy is beginning to flag after speaking for so long. If I’m not careful, the dulcet tones I’ve trained myself to speak in are going to sound harsher.

My mother smiles as she makes her way over, her eyes sharp as she gazes over everyone.

“Miss Vivian,” Easton says with a cultured smile. After spending an afternoon with him, I can tell that it’s fake. It’s not a bad thing to speak to my mother with the utmost deference. “Tea was wonderful, and I can already say she’s going to be busy this fall as we’re all very excited to spend more time with her.”

“All?” my mother asks curiously. Everyone nods as they slowly stand. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that.”

“Nina shines brightly,” Cassidy says. “In a world where so many people lose their light, it’s a breath of fresh air.”

I don’t see myself like that at all.It makes me wonder if she’s gassing me up for my mother, because I don’t recognize the girl Cassidy is talking about. I’m who my mother tells me to be, and no one else.

Silas pulls my seat out, helping me stand. My legs have fallen asleep, and it takes a moment for me to get them to work. Smiling in thanks, I follow everyone back inside. My mother holds her smile until she says goodbye to the last person and they walk out the door.

“I didn’t know you were so charming, Nina,” she says accusingly. I have no idea why she’s so angry, so I try to deescalate whatever narrative she has running in her head.

“I used the talking points you gave me,” I lie. “I’m glad I had them.”

“Oh,” she says, deflating slightly. My mother reminds me of a cat whose fur puffs up when she’s angry. It only seems to happen around me, because I’m constantly angering and disappointing her. “I suppose all the lessons are working. You’re free for the rest of the day if you want to nap then.”

“Thank you, Mom,” I murmur, turning away to walk up the long staircase. I used to love these stairs when I had more energy, and when not wearing heels.

As soon as I’m on the second level and out of her sight, I pull off my torture devices masquerading as shoes and walk to myroom. I ignore the fact that I’m missing my door and move to the closet to change into pajamas, remove my wig, and then close the blinds before faceplanting into my bed.

I wish I was an alpha. Then, I would have so many more choices in life.

My eyelids get heavy and I drift away into dreamless sleep, marked safe from the feeling I get every night that I’m missing something very important.