In the Alpha’s Arms

Stack Attack

Lita finished her drink in one swallow, Fuck it, she needed to rip off the band aid sunner or later, “I was in the car.”

“What car?”

*THEE cat….

James‘ car… that night… when he died.” It was like all the s heartbeat. All she could hear was blood rushing to her head.

sounds around her went out the window, giving way to that pulsing heat of her

Are hid his surprise well but the pity was harder to mask. He hugged her and didn’t say a thing. Then they just stood there, watching the city move below them as the weight of her words kind of floated in the air around them.

Thanks,” she whispered as the noise around them slowly filtered back into her, “I didn’t realize how much I needed to just say it.” He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. She wasn’t crying. The grief hadn’t come back to swallow her whole. She just existed. A girl who’d watched her brother die and lived. The memories didn’t have to kill her. But what about the guilt?

“It was my fault,” she blurted.

better of it, leaning further over the guardrail as he waited for her to continue. She hadn’t meant to ruin whatever fun they were having. She hadn’t meant to take her baggage wherever she went but there it was, the crux of her: her fucking guilt, her fucking misery. If no one had seen that bruise, her brother would still be alive, Lita just started

have been. But I didn’t see any of the signs for what they were,

her, instinctually wrapping an arm

the guy’s ass. And followed, trying to convince him not to. We were speeding down the highway, arguing about the whole thing. He didn’t see the car come over the divider until it was too late. And if he hadn’t been trying to do right by me, he wouldn’t be dead, you know. It’s my fault. I’m the reason we

Ace finally spoke, turning her back to face

have to. The force of his words said it all. Lita understood him

her face back up, I can tell what you’re thinking. Nothing’s ruined. It’s okay to be a

you

more fun,” Ace set their drinks down

made a motion to the tableman and the dice ended up in his hand, “Lita, blow on these for

tableman yelled as

dimples on full display, “My little good luck

thumbs up. She absent–mindedly thumbed her phone, wondering when Cole was going to arrive. Her and Ace had been at the party for at least two hours and still nothing. And the drunker she got, the harder it was to find the line

up at midnight but it wasn’t Cole. She stared at the message icon from Brian as if she were