Chapter 43. We’re Not Ready

There’s a murmur and uneasiness as people glance around at one another, questioning, and I catch the whisper of my name on the hushed wave of sound. A mixture of relief that my survival ensured their own Santo Alpha and the bitter ones, calling me a reject and querying how I was the only one who survived.

I catch the low, body vibrating, internal growl from Colton as his protective instinct kicks in at hearing my name, and a couple of nearby Santos glance this way, eyes widening in surprise, and they instantly stare down at their feet, turning meekly submissive in a flash. Faces darkening with fear and shame at being caught by him, of all people. Realizing he’s right here, among them, and not down there with his immediate family. I turn away to block them out and stare towards the front instead, mentally blanking them all because this has always been my life, and I’m not bothered by their remarks.

I catch sight of his grandmother in the shadows when they settle down, a w