CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE - CONSPIRACY CONFIRMED

"Because you've been too busy with Vanessa to spare me a moment!" Anna shot back, her hurt and anger finally boiling over. "Do you have any idea how it feels to watch you two together? The way she touches you, the private jokes, the lingering glances?" Erik had the grace to look somewhat abashed. "Vanessa and I have a long history. She's important to the pack." "More important than me?" Anna asked softly, echoing her earlier question. The silence that followed was deafening. Erik opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, seemingly at a loss for words. Anna felt something inside her break. "I see," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think I understand now." As she turned to leave, Erik caught her arm. "Anna, wait. It's not that simple. There are things you don't understand, things I can't explain right now." She pulled away from his grasp. "Then explain them to me, Erik. Help me understand. Because right now, all I see is the man I love slipping away, and I do