Chapter 34: Sans Grovelling

VALEN’S POV

Something in my expression must have mirrored my thoughts because Zira raised a curious brow as she continued. “What?”

My eyes narrowed. “Did you just call me ‘Alpha Linus’?”

She lifted her chin defensively. “That’s your name, isn't it? It's what everyone else calls you.”

What she said made perfect sense, and I knew there was no rational reason for me to be angry that she was addressing me like everyone else did. But as I had come to discover some time ago, logic held no place when it came to my reaction to this woman.

“You’re not everyone else,” I bit out.

“You could have fooled me,” she muttered.

‘Whatever she says to you, just remember, it’s your fault. You deserve it.’ Ezra’s voice rang out in my head.

I took a deep breath.

She eyed the boxes I’d left on the table.

I reached for one and held it out to her. “I brought a peace offering.”

She eyed the box in my hand without moving.

I shook it enticingly. “Abigail said it was your favorite.”