Alec’s

After deciding on my next move, I leave my room and go downstairs. Sniffing the air, I easily locate Micah, so I head towards his direction. He was in his office. In most packs, the beta and gamma had their own offices. Alec's pack wasn't any different. I gently knock, and when I hear his voice telling me to enter, I do so.

"Hi, Micah," I drop down on one of the seats next to his desk.

He smiles at me, his shining eyes conveying that he is actually happy to see me. "How are you, Sadie?"

Because of the risk he took in helping me escape the dungeons and the fate that awaited me, I will always respect him. I will always be grateful to him. I will always owe him because both Aspen and I are alive because of him.

"As good as I can be, given the circumstances," I reply, sinking further into the seat.

"Is everything okay? Is this about Alec?" he asks, genuine concern clouding his features.

I sigh. I don't even have the energy to get irritated at the mention of Alec's name.

"Why does everything circle back to Alec?" I ask, my voice a bit frosty. "The world doesn't revolve around him, you know."

He doesn't say anything for a while as he stares at me, almost as if he is studying. I fight to maintain eye contact with him, something I've struggled with since I became an alpha.

I was raised as an omega. That meant that I couldn't look directly into other people's eyes. Especially if they were higher up than I was, and that was everyone except other omegas. It was a sign of disrespect to do so, and some even viewed it as a direct challenge.

When I was elected alpha, I had to fight against the lesson that had been ingrained in me since I was a child. I still struggle with maintaining eye contact, especially in these kinds of situations.

"Fine," he concedes. "How then can I help you?"

I breathe a sigh of relief when he drops the topic. "I need a car to go into town."

"Done," he replies immediately. "Will you need someone to accompany you?"

"No, I can take care of myself. I'll be going alone."

He doesn't question me about where I am going or what I am going to do. He doesn't even ask me why I am going alone. Instead, he opens his desk drawer, rummages through it and produces a car key before handing it to me.

"Since I am not going anywhere, you can use my car," he says, holding out the key for me to take.

"You know I can use any other car, right? You don't have to give me yours."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

He gives me a boyish grin, one that transforms his whole face. Among the three of them, which are him, Alec, and Jason, he's the only one who didn't come out as cold, unfeeling, and downright arrogant. "I know, but apart from my friend, you are also an alpha. You deserve to ride in style while staying here."

I couldn't help it. I give him a small smile before taking the keys from his hands and standing up. "Thank you, Micah. I promise to return it in perfect shape."

He waves his hand dismissively. "Even if you crush it, don't stress. It's just an object."

After waving him goodbye, I head to the garage. Pressing the unlock button on the key, a black Jeep beeps, its lights flashing while its side mirrors unfold. I walk towards it, open the door and get in. I buckle up and turn the ignition. Before pulling away, I mind-link Martha.

"I'm going out," I inform her, just in case she comes looking for me.

"You are not taking Aspen with you?" there is surprise in her voice. Probably because I don't normally leave Aspen behind when I am going somewhere.

"Yes. I just need some alone time," I reply, while slowly pulling out of the garage. "I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"I understand. I'll keep her busy until you come back. Take care."

Martha behaved like a mother to us. The way she worried about us left a certain warmth encasing my heart.

Despite all that happened three years ago, I found people who were able to drive out some of the darkness that almost consumed me.

"I will," I finally reply, shaking myself from those thoughts.

Once I get out of the garage and cut off the mind-link, I peel out of the parking lot. Heading for the small city that boarded our pack.

When I get to the entrance gates, one look at me, and the guard there opens the gate without a question.

Humans that lived around us never

questioned our settlement. They

always thought that it was an

exclusive community for the rich. community where families were accepted only after a thorough background check. They also thought that we were snobs and didn't like interacting with others, only preferring those within our community.

Like I said, I didn't want to think about anything or anyone, so I drive with absolutely no thought in my head. I am an overthinker, so I put all my energy into blocking out my thoughts. I usually overthink things, which usually leads to stressing about them and then finally gives way to a minor depression.

I put some calming music on and sing along to it until I get to the city. It's around forty minutes' drive. I head straight to one of my favorite ice cream shops. It's one of the places I would go to when I was stressed. I truly believed that getting a brain freeze from eating ice cream relieves stress and cures migraines.

I park Micah's car and turn off the ignition. After taking a deep breath, I get out of the Jeep before locking it. I walk towards the shop and enter, the bell above ringing to announce my arrival. Once inside, something inside me calms. This place feels like home. I've probably spent more time here than I'd like to admit, and every time I did end up here, it was because of Alec.