"Hear me out, Alpha. If you're planning on arguing, I'm not in the mood for that at all." I explain to Derrick, exhausted, "I have to make sure the two pups I am now caring for suffer as little as possible from the circumstance that has developed. You've succeeded if your goal in coming here is to aggravate my wounds. My life is a complete wreck, and I'm at an extreme loss for how to continue. I hope you'll be satisfied with this information."

The Alpha gives me a startled, denial-filled shake of his head.

He steps forward and uses his two fingers to gently lift my face. "You're not...