Page 117 of Puck My Life

I stay under the tree, just watching.

“Vae? Is that you, honey?”

I turn and spot our neighbour, Dash. He's a middle-aged alpha with a beta who is his life mate and two small children.

I swallow thickly and try to smile.

“Another party, huh?”

“I…” I struggle really hard not to cry, but the tears start again. He comes over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Oh, Vae, it’s okay. It’s a party. We know it’s not your fault, and you tried to stop it. No judgment from us, honey.”

“Call the police.”

He stiffens, his mouth falling open. “What?”

“Call the police on them. I know I always try to stop you, but, this time, do it. Call the cops. Report them.”

“Vae,” he says in a deep, concerned voice. “What’s happened? Did they hurt you?”

I swipe at my tears and shake my head. “No-”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not-”

He inhales. “You had your heat.” He looks at the house and growls. “You had your heat,” he repeats and shakes his head. “What are they thinking?”

“Call the police, please.”

He looks at me, and he must see something in my face. “Okay, but, Vae, go stay somewhere else. Let them stew. They’ll show who they really are if they have a night to wallow.”

He leaves, but I’m still searching the porch, waiting to see any sign of them. I need to see them.

Raynor comes out onto the porch, followed by Mal and Deacon. They are laughing and having fun like normal, like everything is the way it was. Like the last week meant nothing. My heart clenches. I will go over there, and they can tell me it’s all just a big misunderstanding.

One last chance. That’s all they deserve. Just one.

But then the universe, my whole world, grinds to a stop. Indy comes up and puts her arms around Mal. He puts his hands on her waist and says something that makes her laugh.

I can’t move; I can’t do anything but watch.

As if he can sense me, Deacon lifts his head and stares right at where I am.

Indy swings to him and puts one of her delicate hands on his cheek. He looks down, looks back at me, and then leans down and kisses her.

My stomach heaves, and I cover my mouth. I can’t take my eyes off them. He’s kissing her. He lifts her up, and she wraps her legs around him, rubbing all over my alpha.

No…not mine.

I guess…I was wrong.

My breath hitches in my lungs; the screaming is only inside my head. I’d never let it out. I’ll never let them know.

The problem with the Lost Boys is that no matter how hard you want to be with them…they never, ever grow up.

I turn, leaning on the tree for a minute, and then, while the street fills with sirens and blue and red lights, I limp away.