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.

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 talking, unsure of why or

know it at the time. James always hated him apparently but I was young. Still in high school actually and he was older, probably older than he should have been. But I didn’t see any of the signs for what they were, didn’t listen to any of the red flags.” Lita rubbed at her

her, instinctually wrapping an arm around her

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

have to. The force of his words said it

Nothing’s ruined. It’s okay to be a little fucked up. Bad shit happened. Happens to us all. Do you

I–I was having fun before, you know, all this,”

have more fun,” Ace set their drinks down and they retreated

his hand, “Lita, blow on

the tableman yelled

stop,” Ace smiled, dimples on full display, “My little

the dance floor. They waved and sent her thumbs up. She absent–mindedly thumbed her phone, wondering when Cole was going to arrive. Her and Ace had

phone lit up at midnight but it wasn’t Cole. She stared at the message icon