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Chapter 199
“What?” I raised an eyebrow, my lips curling slightly. “Are you suggesting I need to make the call myself p>
My mind was made up–1 had no intention of concerning myself with Sarah Winters‘ fate anymore. I didn’t even care if Thea was upset with me over it.
“So should I really make the call?” Jeremy asked tentatively. When I didn’t object, he reluctantly pulled out his phone.
Just as he was dialing, there was another knock at the door.
Jeremy’s face brightened as if he’d been saved. “Alpha Alexander, let me get that p>
He practically fled to open the door. Standing there was a young woman with a delicate face, looking timid.
“Alpha,I am Lily.” she greeted softly, her eyes darting nervously to me before quickly looking down again.
She had changed clothes and was wearing a white dress that made her look innocent and pure. “It’s you!” Jeremy recognized her immediately–of course he did.Trust Jeremy to remember every face he’s seen once.
The girl smiled shyly. “Yes, I finished my cleaning duties and came straight here. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest p>
“Why are you looking for me so late? Wait-” Jeremy suddenly seemed puzzled. “How did you know where I was staying p>
The girl lowered her head as if ashamed. “I’m sorry. I followed you earlier. I didn’t mean to, I just wanted a chance to express my gratitude p>
“What gratitude?” Jeremy looked completely confused. “I don’t remember doing anything deserving thanks. If anything, you helped us identify a bad guy this afternoon p>
I watched their exchange with growing impatience, wondering why Jeremy was wasting time with this servant girl–Lily.
“That’s not it,” she shook her head. “That man called Alpha Reid wasn’t originally after that Miss this afternoon. At first, he was harassing me p>
My attention sharpened instantly.
Jeremy’s surprise was evident. “What? What happened? Tell me p>
The girl proceeded to explain everything that had happened that afternoon, tears streaming down her face by the end of her story. “It’s all my fault. I put Miss in danger. I wasn’t thinking clearly–I was just scared and asked her for help p>
“Miss almost got taken away trying to save me. If you hadn’t arrived when you did, I can’t imagine what might have happened. If anything had happened to her, I would have felt guilty for the rest of my life. I would never have been able to forgive myself p>
Each word she spoke twisted something inside me. Sarah hadn’t been flirting with Reid. She hadn’t been the
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target at all. She had been trying to save this girl.
The realization struck me like a physical blow. I’d accused her of being promiscuous, of lacking dignity, when all along she’d been putting herself in danger to protect someone weaker. Someone who needed help.
“So that’s what happened.“Jeremy finally understood, nodding slowly.
“I thought Miss Winters was the one being harassed this afternoon. I was wondering how a young girl like you, who was scared to tears, would dare to step forward and testify p>
When we’d arrived on the scene that afternoon, we’d seen Reid’s sleazy arm around Sarah, who was smiling in his embrace. But her smile had been forced, her body tense. I’d seen it, but in my anger and confusion, I’d chosen to believe the worst of her.
The girl wiped her tears and asked, “Sir, do you know where Miss is staying? Could you tell me p>
“I want to apologize to her personally and thank her face–to–face p>
“And also p>
Before I knew what I was doing, I interrupting her words. Rage–not at the girl but at myself—coursed through me, needing an outlet.
Jeremy’s spine stiffened. He turned around with a forced smile. “Alpha Alexander? What’s wrong p>
Standing in the doorway, I stared coldly at the girl, displacing all my self–loathing onto her. “If you didn’t want to sell yourself, why board this ship at all p>
“You needlessly endangered someone else. What good are apologies or thanks now p>
She couldn’t control her tears. “I’m sorry, Alpha p>
Jeremy looked confused. “Alpha Alexander, you’re scaring the young lady p>
Logically, I shouldn’t have been this angry over such a minor issue, shouldn’t have been berating a girl who might not even be of legal age. But my anger was real and intense–directed at her, at Sarah, at everything. “What do I care if she cries?” My voice was ice as I walked past the girl and left.
Jeremy called after me, “Alpha Alexander, should I still call for the helicopter p>
I gave him nothing but my cold back as I walked away.
I was acting strangely tonight, even I could feel it. But I couldn’t stop myself. Everything about this situation— about Sarah Winters—was making me irrational.
Behind me, I heard the girl collapse, sobbing. “I didn’t mean to,” she cried. “I just wanted to earn more money… My grandmother is sick… I need a lot of money p>
I didn’t turn back. Let Jeremy handle it. I needed to be alone, needed to sort through these foreign emotions that had invaded me since the moment I saw Sarah Winters.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” I whispered under my breath, my fists clenched.
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My wolf stirred at the back of my mind, silent for a long moment.
* I don’t know,* he said finally, voice low and uneasy. *But I’ve never felt this way before either. *
I pressed my palms against the wall, chest heaving.
“Why does everything about her make me lose control p>
*Maybe she matters.To both of us p>
Could that really be true?