CHAPTER 85
ALETHEA
I understood now. With everything happening in the pack and the pressure of pretending with Axel, it was easy to forget how much the outside world didn't know. Elijah had no idea about the charade, the lie I was living to protect myself and everyone else in the pack. It felt like I was walking a fine line between my own reality and this world I had to keep up for Axel’s sake.
When the phone rang, I was surprised to see Elijah’s name on the screen. My heart did a little flip, and I quickly answered, trying to sound calm.
“Hey, Elijah,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Hey, Alethea! I’m sorry I didn’t check up on you last night. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.” His voice was warm, genuine, and it made me smile despite everything.
“Oh, it’s fine,” I sa
