Sherman A scream tore through my sleep, yanking me back into that same nightmare. The darkness, the weight of her body shielding mine, the sickening thud of bullets meant for me hitting her instead. Each impact reverberated through me like a physical blow. The memory churned in my gut, relentless. Bile scorched my throat as I shoved off the hospital cot, the sheets a tangled trap around my legs. I barely made it to the bathroom before collapsing, retching violently into the toilet. My body convulsed, trying to expel the horror that had carved itself into my bones. I'm an Alpha. I'm supposed to be strong. I'm supposed to be in control. But right now, I'm just broken. I'm useless. Gasping for air, I heard Orion 's cries escalate from the nursery. Pushing up fr

