Apologies Are For The Weak Novels & Stories

"The proximity response. I've been working with Zara every day this week and I was holding it for four clean repetitions before it fell apart." "Stop," Draven says. "The windows are going to need—" "Stop apologizing for your power." He says it flat, not unkind, which is strange enough that I close my mouth. "Windows get replaced. Saying sorry for existing at full strength is a habit worth breaking before it gets permanent." I look at him. "That's not why I'm apologizing," I say. "Then tell me why."

flashed across the screen, crap. “Hey tay, what’s up?” “What do you mean what’s up?” “It’s almost 5 PM and I haven’t heard from you all day, hello? It’s your birthday party tonight!” “Don’t be mad, but I can’t make it, I’ve come down with the flu or something.” “That’s such bullshit Charlee, you’ve never liked parties, and now you’re trying to back out.” “Really tay, even call and ask my mom, I wouldn’t lie to you about this… I really am sorry, we can do something next week before I leave.”

Rhea told me. I snorted and drank water. “Yeah, right,” I replied. I lay down in the clearing, resting after all that running. — You are special, Chloe. You just don't see it yet. — Rhea continued. — I'm not special, Rhea. I am useless. You heard the alpha himself saying that. He won't accept me as his partner because I'm weak. A useless wolf. As I spoke, I remembered his hurtful words. I couldn't help the moan that escaped me.

His tone sounded resigned, hopeless. “Why are you apologizing?” I asked him, confused. “Because,” he said, voice so very soft, “I will be the one you must breed with.”

I hate how she uses my weakness, our baby. "I'm sorry." I apologized even though I don't know what I was sorry for but I know it was the right thing to do and that she wanted to hear coming from me. "I'm sorry.” “You don’t even know what you are sorry for.” She cries. I sigh heavily, “Maybe you're right. I'm just too stressed with life and with work. And everything that's been happening lately."

I asked when he didn’t respond to his name. I felt him stiffen. “You will,” His words were cold as ice. My assumption angered him and I held the apology back, knowing well that would upset him the more. I was learning to be strong and he told me just two days ago that only the weak apologizes at every opportunity, so I pushed further. “If I die-“ I paused, waiting for him to interrupt me, but he didn’t, “Or if I’m not my normal self again, please –“

I was too weak to handle this, too fragile. Shame washed over me as I realized how pathetic I was for not giving an immediate response. Most strong women my age went through worse than this every day and thrived. Meanwhile, here I was, throwing off the chance of making things right. “I just want to be sure you're okay, I'm…” I stuttered. “I'm sorry too,” I added. “You don't have to apologize for doing right by me,” He protested. “No” I objected. “For being too persistent with my questioning,” I said lowering my head.

I asked, turning around to face them once again. “I need an apology from you,” he said. “Why should I apologize? I was only warning you.” “A warning can only come from someone who is qualified and you are not. A weak and feeble wolf like you should never undermine me, so you must apologize or else!” he said. “It's funny you think I am weak. I can bring you to your knees in a single fight without breaking a sweat. I am more than qualified to tell you what you lack,” I told him.

And for now, that was enough. Alaric continued to hold me close, his hand resting lightly against the back of my head as if shielding me from the world. My sobs began to subside, though the ache in my chest remained, dull but persistent. “I’m sorry,” I whispered into his chest, my voice hoarse and fragile. “For what?” His tone was sharp, almost offended. He pulled back slightly, just enough to look me in the eye. “You have nothing to apologize for.” I shook my head, my fingers still clutching his shirt. “For being weak. For crying. For—”

His one hard brush against his hair in frustration. I gave him a piercing look and watched his lips open but then close—as if he was hesitating to say something. Was he trying to apologize for what he did to me? I grimaced as I solely felt the numbing feeling of my lower jaw. No. Alpha Aster won't apologize. Just like what Cecil said, people like us should be proud not to apologize because it's like showing weakness to other people. And the last thing an Emperor like Alpha Aster does is to show weakness to anyone.