Alex finds me sitting by the side of the river. I’m sitting on a rock so I don’t get my skirt in the mud with my knees pulled up to my chest. I throw pebbles into the water absentmindedly. They’re not a good enough distraction to save me.
“Are you here to gloat?” I say without turning to look at Alex. “Alpha?” Bitterness coats my words, and I know I’m being unfair.
Alex crouches down on my rock without touching me. “No.” He sits down and stretches out his legs before saying, “I wouldn’t even if I was happy about this.”
“But you're the next alpha. And I don’t even get to stay in the only place I’ve ever felt at home.” I want to push him into the water, but I settle on not moving at all.
“Layla, I never wanted this.” He turns to face me but keeps a distance between us.
“Okay sure,” I sc
