The sight of Alpha Alvin standing at a corner, drenched in the rain, back against a tree trunk, hands in his pockets, legs crossed, made her heart skip in embarrassment. She hid her face.

She heard dry tree leaves crunching as he approached her. She felt too embarrassed, realising he had heard her words about him.

He squatted before her, used his left hand to lift her face, and wiped away her tears. He stared down at her with a slight smile. "I didn't leave you, Annabelle. I'd never do that," he said. She averted her gaze.

"But you did," she replied, her face sad.

"I didn't, Annabelle. I've been...