You're not going to cry during the ceremony, are you? Your makeup will run.
Where are you? People are asking questions.
My hands shake as I scroll until I find the number I need.
Sharon.
I helped her arrange the Tangle wedding, which became wedding of the year. And as a result, not only did she find a pack who loved her, but she’s pregnant now. Her last message was from three days ago. A photo of her growing belly with the caption:Twins are no joke. Come visit before I'm too huge to move.
I hit call before I can second-guess myself.
It rings twice.
"Jessica! Oh my God, shouldn't you be walking down the aisle right about now?"
Sharon's voice is bright and warm.
"I can't do it." The words rush out. "I'm in the bridal suite and everyone's waiting and I'm supposed to marry him in fifteen minutes but I can't. I can't breathe, Sharon. I can't do this."
Silence on the other end. Then Sharon's voice shifts, softer but still steady. Still strong.
"Okay. Deep breath. In for four, hold for four, out for four. Can you do that for me?"
I follow her rhythm, clutching the phone like it's the only thing keeping me tethered to earth. Mom watches from across the room, her face a mixture of concern and possibly pride.
"Good," Sharon says after a minute. "Now tell me what you need."
"I need to leave. I need to get out of here."
"So leave,” she says.
"It's not that simple."
"If you don't want to marry this man, then don't. Get in a car and drive. Right now."
"I don't have anything. He controls everything,” I confess feeling like a fool.
"Come to Pine Hollow." Her voice is firm. "I would love to spend time with you before these babies arrive and I turn into ahouse. We'll figure everything else out later. You can stay as long as you need."
Pine Hollow. Where Sharon lives with her pack. Where I could disappear for a while with the protection of Sharon’s pack.
But.
"I can't. Not yet. I need to go home first. Largo Waters. I need to face my past.”
This has to be a new beginning for me. I need to be strong.
I spin around, and I can see Mom making calls. Telling the caterers that the wedding is canceled. Calling the hotel, where we have an extravagant reception planned. But she isn’t telling Callum’s family. She’s giving me a ten minute start and here I am chatting to Sharon. I need to get out of here now.
"Why?"
The ache low in my belly pulses, a reminder of everything that's changed in the past month. Everything I've been trying to ignore.
"I need my suppressants."
Sharon goes quiet. Then, carefully, "You're officially an omega?"
"Late-presenting." The words still feel foreign on my tongue. "I was a beta my whole life, Sharon. Twenty-eight years of being completely normal. Then three weeks ago at Aunt Linda's, my body decided to betray me. Started feeling off - hot flashes, heightened senses, the works. Her doctor ran tests and confirmed it: omega. He said it's rare at my age but not impossible." I swallow hard. "He prescribed suppressants immediately. Gave me a three-week supply with instructions to refill before the wedding."
