Chapter 71. Confronting the Past and Unraveling Emotions

Taya's POV

Jackson looked at me and took a step forward, then stopped abruptly. It was as though I had pricked him.

If only I could.

If only I were a porcupine shifter or something - if those even existed. All those little needles to protect myself from all these Alphas and their tempers.

He let out a huff. “I don’t need you to flatter me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

I’d readied myself to fight with him; I didn’t expect him to say such a thing. It threw me off-kilter. And now he was smiling, which threw me off even more.

He seemed genuinely concerned about my physical condition and asked a few more questions.

Jackson turned around, picked up the plate on the table, and handed it to me. “Eat something first.”

I did not respond, just stared blankly at the food on the plate.

“Taya?”

When Jackson called my name, I slowly raised my head to look at him. I tried to keep my expression bland and indiffere