Page 194 of Alphas Like Us

Her grit and willpower is even greater and stronger than mine. Reverse our positions where she’s the one injured, and I’m pretty sure she’d be pushing beyond the limit. And maybe that’s why she’s not able to stopme.

It reminds me of yesterday. I don’t know why. But I think about the moment where we were on the stern’s swimdeck.

Sullivan was flexing, showing off her carved bicep. She kissed it. Luna stuck out her tongue, no piercing, but she must’ve eaten something blue. Janie tossed her arms in the air. And Farrow and I—we were mid-teasing, our arms wrapped around eachother.

My mom, out in the sea on an inner tube, snapped that picture. And when Luna saw the photo, she said, “Alpha chicks anddudes.”

“Total-fucking-ly,” Sullismiled.

Jane beamed. “Oui.”

The media has latched onto Farrow and me as alphas. Not always as a compliment. And hearing my sister and cousins use that word to describe themselves made me love itmore.

I blink out of a short stupor. Only to see Sulli and Akara facing one another. One stair above me. Seriousness tensing their postures and faces—I must’ve missed the start of some sort oftalk.

“You have lots of friends, Sul,” Akarasays.

“Who?” Sulli says wide-eyed like he’s not living in the same universe as her rightnow.

My scowl deepens, and I slowly twist the cap back on mywater.

“Dean.” Akara takes off his backwards hat, pushing back his black hair. “He’s yourfriend.”

“No, he’s just a swim buddy at the club,” Sullisays.

“A buddy is a friend.” His smilepeeks.

Sulli sets her hands on her head, distraught. “It’s not the fucking same when I have to censor myself with them, Kits. And I already suck at talking to people. My little sister would hate it if I said anything about her and someone spilled itonline.”

Saying a private thing to the wrong person—it can be frightening for us. The consequence could hurt the people welove.

“Hey,” Akara says, “with that criteria you still havelotsoffriends.”

“Who?” she asks, breathing harder than she has been running up this damncliff.

“Your family,” he says strongly. “Familycan befriends, Sulli.” He emphasizes both words. “Not all family is as close as yours, and you made those bonds. You didthat.”

She touches her lips,contemplating.

“And I’m your friend. And…” Akara motions to his left. “Jack is yourfriend.”

Farrow and I look over, and Jack Highland smiles a charming smile to Sulli while he reattaches hissteadicam.

Sulli shakes her headrepeatedly.

“Sullivan, right in the heart,” Jack says playfully, not reallyhurt.

“Oh hey, I know we’re friends, and I was excited about that because I can trust you, but it’s different…” She hangs her head, hand to hereyes.

I’m about to go comfort mycousin.

But Akara steps forward. “Sulli.”

She holds out her hand to stop him from edging near. “I just feel like you stole him from me. Like Jack was supposed to be the perfect fucking friend, the guy I could hang with, the one I could talk to about anything without fear—and now you two are best friends and where am I?” She pauses. “Not that…I mean, I wouldn’tclaima friend like that…I just…” Her cheeks roast brightred.

I walk up one step, her embarrassment eking into theair.

“Sulli,” Akara starts,worried.