Alpha Divided (Alpha Girl Book 3)

“Holy shit,” Raphael said from the top of the stairs. “Are you okay?”


“No. I’m not okay.” I went to get my things, grabbing out a shirt from my duffle. I wrapped the jars in the T-shirt so they wouldn’t break. I tucked them carefully inside my messenger bag before grabbing my keys. Then I scooped up the rest of my stuff and headed for the door. “Anyone who wants to leave can come to the pack. I’m not waiting a second longer.” I didn’t pause as I strode toward my car. I took the jars out of my bag, set each one in a cup holder, and then threw everything else in the back. I didn’t want them out of my sight.

I buckled my seatbelt as I drove over the cattle guards. My bond to Dastien slammed in place, but it was weak. Barely there. I heard him cry out, but couldn’t even make out what he was saying, only a vague feeling of fear and anger. I couldn’t answer. I didn’t have the strength to.

I was in the zone as I drove. Maybe it was shock. Or maybe I was ready to kick some ass. Or maybe I was traumatized. All I could see were the road stripes as I hit the accelerator. I focused on the road. I pushed my car to go as fast as it could. Nothing was getting in my way. I was going home.





Chapter Twenty-One



As I pulled through the gates of St. Ailbe’s, I was still numb. My hands shook as I grabbed the two jars from the cup holders, and cradled them to my chest. I left the rest of my stuff in the car. I didn’t need it. There were two things that I really needed.

A shower and Dastien.

I bumped the car door with my hip, closing it, and as I turned, my breath caught.

Dastien stood at the edge of the parking lot, waiting for me. Meredith, Donovan, Mr. Dawson, Adrian, Chris, and Dr. Gonzales were there too, but I hardly spared them a glance. Dastien alone filled my vision as he took slow measured steps toward me. He was wearing a pair of sweats and nothing else, which meant he’d shifted too quickly to go home for clothes.

I walked straight to him and no one said anything. His arms wrapped around me, and I buried my nose in his chest.

He muttered things that I couldn’t understand, rubbing his hands up and down my spine. “Are you okay?”

“No.” I stepped away from him, and started toward the dorm. I didn’t pay attention to what anyone was doing. I kept moving. Any questions, any comments fell on deaf ears, as I moved woodenly.

I didn’t stop until I got to my bathroom. I closed the door and started the shower. I placed the glowing jars on the counter and stared down at them.

It was like two stars were trapped inside. In the one with my alpha powers, the light flickered and swirled with a glowing red orange center and yellow and white along the edges. The energy in the bruja jar shone vibrant blue and green on the outside with a pure, bright white center. It looked like they should be burning, but both glasses were cool to the touch.

I took a quick shower, and when I was done, I felt maybe ten percent better. But I couldn’t scrub away that oily feeling. I couldn’t shove aside the knowledge that something had been stolen, and even if I could get it back, I might never be the same. I’d never trust in the same way again.

The worst part was, I didn’t trust myself anymore.

I felt like everything I’d done since the Tribunal was a mistake. I tried to let go of my anger and frustration, but it wasn’t easy. If only I could learn lessons the easy way…

I reached through the shower curtain for a towel, but found it much closer than it was supposed to be. I peeked out to see Dastien leaning against the wall, holding a towel out to me. I hadn’t noticed when he’d come in, which said how out of it I was, but I was glad he was there. I wrapped myself in the towel and got out. The first thing I did was grab the jars.

Dastien watched me without a word as I left the bathroom.

Everyone was in my bedroom. Meredith and Chris stood up from where they were sitting on my bed when I walked in. No one was talking. I was back early, and they knew that I wouldn’t be here—not speaking—unless something terrible had happened. They all had to know something was wrong. Majorly wrong.

I didn’t have a free hand to make sure the towel was tightly wrapped, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“What’s in the jars?” Donovan said.

A tear slipped free and I shook my head.

“Cherie.” Dastien’s voice rolled through me. His body heat warmed me as he stepped close, his chest brushing my back and I closed my eyes. “What’s in the jars?”

I kept my eyes shut tight as I held up the one in my left hand. I didn’t think I could take their sympathy and hold it together. “Alpha.” I held up the one in my right. “Bruja.”

It was quiet for a second before Donovan spoke. “She’s been stripped.”

It was chaos after that. Questions. Arguments about whether or not it was possible. About how it could’ve been done.

I couldn’t handle it. Not then. Especially not in a towel.

I turned to Dastien. “Hold them please. Don’t break them.”