JAKE
My phone buzzed suddenly, breaking the tense silence in the room. I glanced at the screen and saw Alyssa’s name glowing softly. Immediately, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me, even amidst the pressure from Grandpa Jack, Grandma Amelia, Rosita, and Sonia. Without thinking, I held up my hand to pause the conversation.
"It’s Alyssa," I said quietly. They all stared at me, but I could feel their attention shift just slightly. “I need to take this,” I added, stepping out of the room before pressing the answer button.
"Alyssa, hey... are you alright?" I asked as soon as the call connected. My voice was filled with concern, knowing I hadn’t reached out to her since my father, Alpha Jerry, forced me back home.
There was a soft sigh on the other end. "I’m fine, Jake. I just wa
