Chapter 41. Confessions and Carpet

Silvia POV

Alpha Sherman took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his golden hair, eyes avoiding mine.

“It’s not a big deal,” he finally said. “You might actually laugh when I tell you the real reason.”

I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued.

The vulnerability he’d just shown telling me about his mother made this sudden deflection seem odd.

“If it’s not a big deal,” I said softly but firmly, “then you should have no problem telling me.”

He gave a small, reluctant smile, and I could sense something shifting in him—like watching a wall slowly crumble.

“Tell me.” I pressed gently.

“Because growing up, every single time I admitted to liking something—” his jaw tightened “—Zack would somehow find out, and then he’d take it.”

My eyes widened slightly.

This wasn’t what I expected.

“My favorite shoes, my car, even my shirts.” His brow furrowed at the memories. “Once I mentioned liking a particular water bottle,