“Are you spending the night there? I mean, it’s so late, the weather is shit, and…oh. Oh mygod,Blair. It’s the anniversary.”
I swallow. “Yup. So, it’s been kind of an interesting night.”
“Are youokay?” she asks. “After everything, are you going to be okay with them?”
“I will.”
“Do you need me to drop off any supplies?”
“First of all, I had my emergency bag in the car, with enough scent blocking deodorant to last a lifetime. I have an extra dose of suppressants, too. Second, don’t youdaredrive out in that storm right now, and especially not for me.”
“Fine,” she sighs. “But you call me if you need anything at all, okay?Anything.”
“I will. I’m okay, Pipe, I promise. I just wanted to let you know where I was. I’m sorry I ignored your call earlier. It was a lot to handle all at once.”
“Yeah. I was about ten minutes away from calling Ryland or Rowan to figure out where the hell you were. I copied their numbers down from the paperwork they filled out when they adopted Ash and fostered the kittens.”
I scoff. “Of course you did.”
“Of course I did,” she repeats fondly. “You know I love you.”
“Yeah, I know,” I murmur. “I love you, too.”
I’m lucky to call Piper my best friend.
“You’ve been there for me over the years, you know? I can be here for you now,” she adds. “So, call me if you need anything. You’re still coming in tomorrow—well, I guess today, right?”
“Yeah. I just need some rest.”
But resting while I’m around my three scent matches doesn’t seem plausible.
How am I supposed to sleep in a room while the Alphas are in the same house, only feet away?
My mind is exhausted, but my body is awake and alert.
“Do they know, by the way?” Piper asks.
I don’t need her to clarify. She’s talking about the accident.
“Travis knows some of it,” I say. “But Ryland and Rowan don’t.”
“Are you going to tell them?”
I swallow.
“I’m going to have to,” I sigh, “if I want anything productive or healthy to come out of this.”
“I agree. I’m proud of you.”
“Huh?” My brow furrows. “Proud of me? For what?”
“For not running away. For being brave.”
Piper gives me far too much credit. I amnotbrave.
The only reason I’m still in this packhouse is because I knocked over the pack’s trash cans while trying to drive away like a coward.
Brave? I planned to spend tonight crying my eyes out and nesting, surrounded by a bunch of cat toys.
