Chloe
I sit on the couch in Alpha Drew’s office, my legs folded under me, clutching the worn teddy bear my mother gave me the day I was born. I still have him because Freddy, my bear, is the only link I have to my parents. They died when I was five, and I was raised by my abusive grandparents. I can’t bear to part with him. As crazy as it sounds, apart from my mate, Freddy is the only thing that makes me feel safe.
The shadows play across the shiny wooden floors, hinting at the turmoil beneath the calm exterior I struggle to maintain. My blue eyes, once bright and full of life, now hold a quiet resilience that speaks of unspoken horrors. My mate can see it, and it hurts to see the pity in his eyes when he looks at me.
Across from me, a group of men and one woman, each embodying strength
