They were acting like I was simply throwing a tantrum. Clearly, the assholes had no clue that I had found out about their relationship with Darcy.
The tears were gone now, leaving only anger behind. They’d shown me their true colors and I refused to shed another tear over a pack that had no morals.
I grabbed one of the moving boxes that still lay empty and started to throw any remnants of my pack into it: a note they left me in the kitchen, a book my beta had left behind.
One by one, I filled it with the few things they had left here.
It shouldn’t have taken so little time, but I felt better once I had it gathered.
The omega clinic in town had programs for helping omegas leave situations like mine. There would be someone to help me gather my things tomorrow.
For tonight, I needed sleep.
I watched from behind the tinted windows of the omega escort vehicle as the police approached the pack house that I was nevergoing to set foot in again. Thank God for the Omega Network and their quick response, otherwise I never would have gotten my belongings.
The police quickly escorted my three former pack members out of the way, all looking furious. As if they could sense me watching, they turned to face the SUV I was hiding in. I knew they couldn’t see me, the staff had promised me as much, but that didn’t stop me from cowering in my seat.
The advocate next to me reached over and rested a hand on my leg. “It’s okay. They can’t see you, Aspen. You’re done with them,” she promised.
“Will they have any trouble getting my things?”
“No,” she said quickly. “The alphas, by law, are forced to cooperate. You gave a list of the things you wanted to the staff, so they know what to look for. They’ll get everything from your list, to essentials, and important documents. I promise you we’re doing everything we can to make this as seamless as possible.”
“Thank you,” I said with a tight smile.
It took them nearly an hour to gather the boxes that were mine. By the time they were closing the back doors of the moving truck, I’d managed not to cry once. The police allowed my exes to walk back in. Of course, they had Sadie and Darcy by their side, Trent wrapping his arm around Darcy, tucking her to his side like I used to be.
It was absolutely a move to hurt me, and yet, I felt oddly at peace with it. They truly deserved each other. I knew that now. All I could hope for was that they would move on and simply leave me alone.
My phone pinged with another message, and I glanced down. It was the third I’d received from Cole, and I knew I was avoiding him, but I’d been busy today.
“So, what are your plans for the holiday?” my advocate asked in her soft-spoken voice.
I glanced over and shrugged. “Still thinking about it,” I admitted.
“You don’t want to go spend it with family? Reconnect with them after this ordeal? You do have a support network, correct?”
My mind immediately went to Karina and Cole. Perhaps I was clinging to their presence as a way to calm my own nerves and reassure myself I wasn’t truly alone, but the reality was I had no real ties to them outside the lie that unfolded last night.
The weekend was only two days away. Two days to make my decision and pack, if that’s what I was going to do.
I should be figuring out what to do with my apartment and clothing, but that could wait until after the new year.
I finally glanced down at my phone, opening up the messages from Cole.
Cole
Are you alright?
Cole
Actually, ignore that. Of course you aren’t. We don’t have to do this if it’s going to be painful. I’ll figure it out.
Cole
Checking in again, could you let me know what you’ve decided?
I let out a sigh, not sure how to even respond. Everything Karina mentioned about Pine Ridge was running through my mind. It would be such an abrupt change of pace that it might be exactly what I needed to get those assholes out of my head.
