"What was this past month, then?!" Alyssa's voice cracked into a scream, tears spilling over. "When you held me, kissed my forehead, took me to Pendarva to see the tower—what was *that*?!"
Hysterical, she grabbed a throw pillow from the couch and hurled it at Derek. "If you don't love me, why do all those things?!"
Derek's breath came heavy, but he had no words. It hit him like a freight train—he'd been acting out of habit, a delusion that he still loved her. He'd treated her like a mate without even thinking.
"Did we… miss our chance?" Alyssa gave a bitter laugh, tears streaking her face. "I was fool enough to go to Rachel, asking her to 'give' you to me…"
Her voice faded to a whisper. "Turns out, I'm the biggest joke here…"
Derek's head hung low. "I'm sorry… From now on, we're just
