Cam squeezed her fingers. “It’s been a long eventful day. I’m not surprised you’re exhausted. Get some sleep. It’ll be a couple of hours before we’re home.”
She nodded, eyes already dropping shut. Today had been exhausting. But also wonderful.
And tomorrow would be even better.
AT SEVEN O’CLOCK the next morning, Rachel stood on the pavement outside Cam’s building, keys in hand. Cam and the other betas had all come down to see her off.
“Be careful with my car.” Daryl winced as he glanced at the black SUV behind Rachel. His was bigger than the one Cam originally lent her, more suited to motorway driving.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut up. There’s nothing wrong with my driving.”
“You hate driving around London. You actively avoid it.”
He had a point.
She shrugged. “I’ll be fine once I get on the motorway.”
Daryl grunted but stepped forward and gave her a hug. “I’ll keep an eye on your unit while you’re gone.”
“Thank you.”
Nathan hadn’t been overly thrilled to find out Daryl would be their go-to beta in her absence, but it was only two days. They could deal.
The other betas said their goodbyes, and then Cam stepped forward. He took both of her hands in his. “If you need longer than two days, then take it.”
“But the pack bonding?” They were due to finalise things in the next couple of days. Cam wanted it to happen as soon as possible, and that could be in as little as a week, two at the outside. She wouldn’t jeopardise that.
“We can work around you.”
“No. Two days will be fine. We’ll be back Wednesday night.”
“I’ll see the two of you when you return then.”
She beamed at him. It seemed to be her natural reaction every time someone mentioned her and Sara coming back here.
He put his hand on the base of her throat, left it there for a couple of seconds, then drew back. “Be safe.”
THE DRIVE TO Penzance was longer than Rachel remembered. She stopped halfway for a break, and it was early afternoon by the time the familiar fields came into view.
Rolling down her windows, she welcomed the fresh country air into her car, the tang of the sea faint this far out but definitely there. Breathing deeply, she let it fill her lungs.
Home.
It felt strange to be back.
She hadn’t been gone all that long, but so much had happened, it felt like a lifetime. Her phone buzzed on the passenger seat as she left the main road and turned onto Penwith pack property. The dirt road up to the main pack building was long and windy, and unable to wait, Rachel slowed to a stop and reached for her phone.
Sara’s name flashed up on the screen.
With nothing to stop them now, they’d finally exchanged numbers. Rachel opened the message, already smiling.
Just stopped at the services. Should be there in an hour or so. I miss you x
I miss you too xShe typed back, then added,I’ve just got home. See you soon x
Setting her phone back on the passenger seat, Rachel sighed and glanced at the road ahead. For some reason she was nervous about seeing her father again. It wasn’t as though they hadn’t spoken in the weeks she’d been away, but still…
Something felt weird, and she couldn’t shake it.
