#Chapter 24 - Rejection

Shirley As I watch Ralph tearing down the street, getting farther and farther away from us, I begin to feel panic rise up from my toes. Ralph is leaving. And his urgency suggests that he’s on his way to somewhere specific, or rather - someone specific. Jean. He’s going to reject her. Right now. And everything in me can’t help but feel things might go south. “I have to go,” I say aloud suddenly, taking myself by surprise. But I soon realize that maybe the words aren’t necessarily for me, but for the Alpha still standing at my side. Simultaneously, we both look over at each other. The furrow over his brow causes me to swallow as I begin to back away. “I’m sorry, Keith,” I start. “I have to go take care of something urgent.” I then try to swivel away, but I’m stopped as I feel his hand wrap around my arm. “Wait,” he says, leaving me to look back at him as I can’t move my arm even a centimeter within his grasp. But I can’t wait.