"Because I want to serve in your Alpha unit just as I do in your mates," he said, the words rushing out as if he'd been holding them back. "Not as your Beta—I haven't earned that—but in whatever capacity you'll allow. I need to make this right."
I couldn't help the short, incredulous laugh that escaped me. "You tormented me for years, and now you want to be in my inner circle?"
"I want to prove I'm not what he made me," Dean said simply. "And I think you, of all people, can understand that."
His words struck deeper than he could have known. Wasn't that exactly what I was trying to do? Prove I wasn't defined by what had been done to me?
"I don't trust you," I said honestly.
"I know." He met my gaze unflinchingly. "I haven't earned it yet. But I'm asking for the chance to try."
I rose,
