Axel’s jaw clenches further, but he doesn’t look away from Alpha David. “And we were right not to,” he says, “those pills hurt her, they strip her down piece by piece, and after everything she’s been through we’re not doing that to her again.”
“They don’t see it that way,” Alpha David replies quietly, “they see it as a safeguard.”
“A safeguard for who,” Atticus asks, a sharp edge creeping into his tone now, “because it certainly isn’t for her.”
The Alpha rubs a hand over his face, the first crack in his composure. “They’re scared,” he admits, “and scared wolves make demands, and if I ignore them entirely I risk losing the pack’s trust altogether.”
“So you sacrifice her instead,” Axel snaps, anger flaring hot and immediate, “you make her smaller so everyone else can feel comfortable.”
