Chapter 81

_Chase’s POV_

I settled into my seat, the soft leather enveloping me as I gazed out the window. The cityscape below grew smaller, fading into the distance as the plane lifted off.

My mind wasn't on the view, though. It was consumed by the news that had shattered my world.

Alex was gone.

My best friend, my brother, my beta, my partner in every sense of the word.

The memory of his laughter, his smile, his unwavering loyalty – it all flooded my mind, threatening to drown me.

I'd received the call that night, just as Elodie was standing before me, her eyes full of love and concern.

I'd pushed her away, unable to process the emotions swirling inside me.

Guilt, anger, grief – they'd all tangled together, forming a toxic knot in my chest.

His death has knocked me off balance and threatened to tear down everything I ever thought I knew. I hadn’t grieved as hard as I’d done in the past three weeks, and each time it dawned on me that I wouldn’t hear his silly jokes anymore, my world was ripped