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My stomach dropped.

“You have to be kidding me?”

“Emily and Maddison are both human it would be desirable if they formed a relationship. They are both experiencing the same thing.”

“So, let me get this straight.” I gritted my teeth. “Emily not only got my mate, but now I am being asked not to attend my own pack meeting at my house because of her?”

“Chloe.” Dad’s voice rose with authority. “You know it would be easier if you weren’t there.”

“Right,” I scoffed. “God forbid Emily feels unwelcome.” Crossing my arms, I glared at the carpet. This was just my luck. Emily was slowing kicking me out of everywhere.

“It will be best for both of you. And you hate going to the meetings,” Dad pointed out.

“So? That doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be able to go!”

“Chloe, drop it.” Dad pursed his lips. “It’s decided.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. I hated Emily and I hated Xavier just as much right now.

“What does it matter, Chloe?” Alec spoke up, and I turned to look at him. Why was he so angry? He wasn’t the one being kicked out tonight.

“It’s my home.”

“It’s a few hours. You can come home when it is finished.” Alec’s voice was firm. Maybe this was what had been bothering him? I glanced at Dad and then back at Alec. But how?

“You knew didn’t you? How?”

“I ran into Alec last night, on his run.” Dad answered my question and it flared anger inside of me. “I thought it was best that he knew.”

“I hope you had a nice chat then,” I snapped and pushed myself slightly away from Alec.

“Can you hear yourself?” Alec looked at me, mildly disgusted with my attitude. “You keep telling me you are over him. But look at you! You are all upset because you don’t get to see him tonight?”

“It’s not him. It’s Emily!”

“Right.” Alec stood up, fuming. “You’re mad because you can’t go to the meeting to see him with his wife. That makes real sense, Chloe.”

“Where are you going?” I snapped at him, watching him walk out of the room.

“Why should I stay?” Alec snapped back at me over his shoulder. “It’s clear what you really want.”

My mouth opened. How had this happened? I jumped when the front door slammed. I looked at Dad and he was shaking his head, as if disappointed with me.

“What?” I yelled, my fingers curling into a tight fist. “You caused this.”

“No, Chloe.” Dad stood up too, looking down at me. “You did.” With those simple words he walked out, closely followed by Mom.

Was Alec right? Was I upset because I didn’t get to see Xavier tonight? I knew a part of me was struggling to move on from him, I knew it had to be done. But…I was coming to terms with it. Especially when I was with Alec. Alec wiped the pain from my mind, he was, no, he is my source of sunlight.

I had just made a huge mistake.

Sighing heavily, I thought I shouldn’t have bothered to get up this morning.

***

Closing my bedroom door, I fiddled with the keys in my hand. Finally, I was swallowing the guilt in my stomach and going to find Alec. At first, I thought I should give him time to cool off, but it wasn’t until just after supper that I finally admitted I was feeling too guilty about how I reacted. That was the true reason I hadn’t tracked him down.

I heard the crunching of gravel as cars began to arrive. Why did I have to leave it so late to finally have the guts to go find him?