He stares at me.
He doesn’t believe me, but I don’t have any other words to convince him.
Bonnie
Ithink over what I’ve discovered, and my temper sizzles then ignites. Nothing really enrages me like a rapist. And I’ve had three of them with me this whole time.
How unfortunate.
Dad must not have known; he wouldn’t have sent them, even if he did think I could handle it. He’s an alpha who believes that what you learn on the journey is the most important part, but there are some crimes for which there is no forgiveness.
I stare at Rojer’s back as we make the last few dozen feet of our trip. Once we’re back, my responsibility for them ends. And I am not responsible for anything that happens, and I can’t wait to get rid of these assholes.
Well then, a few more minutes to go, and then I can walk away from it all.
It’s been a long, arduous trip, and the last couple of days have been fraught with accusation and suspicion. I was surprised they think that it’s me trying to kill them.
Ridiculous.
I’ve kept them alive all this time. I worked my butt off to stop Pack Prince killing them. All my skills have been employed to prevent their demise. I went to war with these alphas, and I won.
Nathan, Kevin, and Rojer stomp into the clearing where we first set off, bitterly complaining and threatening lawsuits. The cars aren’t here, but they will be here in about two hours or whenever I decide to make the call.
The cabin is sitting there so familiar. But it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has changed, and the peace here that I normally feel hasn’t manifested. Instead, there’s a pain and a hurt, and I don’t want to look at this cabin or this clearing. I don’t want to see the markers or the trail entrance. I don’t want to look at the signs or see the cars. Especially my car, with its phone and reality.
The betas go to the cabin and collapse on the porch, groaning as they pull their arms free of their backpacks. I quickly pull out the hidden key from under the porch railing and open the cabin. I go inside and retrieve my car keys and several cold drinks, which I set down on the porch.
For a second, I stand there, staring at them. The Prince pack must feel me watching them, they look up and stare at me. There’s a whole lot of words not being said, and I know we need to have a discussion at some point.
It’s over, and I don’t think any of us were ready for it to be. Since the accusation was made, I've remained distant with them, resolutely keeping myself apart from the entire group, and I know that they resent it. Truthfully, standing here in the light of day, I can still feel the tingle of Kota’s lips pressed to my neck, and it almost breaks my resolve.
I swallow hard and look away, frustrated and a little afraid of the despair that’s gripping me. They will go back to their lives, and I will go back to mine. We don’t belong together.
I’m not the omega they need.
And yet, the last three weeks have had me wondering if I could be wrong. If maybe we’re more suited than I ever dreamed.
I don’t want to miss them again.
“Who wants a hot shower?” I ask, forcing myself to stop thinking about the non-existent future. “We’ve got three stalls behind the cabin. I’m going to ring for the cars and get some coffee and food ready. Just relax, take it easy. Two more hours, and we’re all free.”
The alpha asshole trio look at me in expectation. Of course, they are going to pounce on it.
“We want it!” Kevin barks, glaring around, almost daring anyone to argue with him.
“Have at it,” I say and wave them towards the shower.
I turn away, and Pack Prince follow me. I can feel them the way I can feel my family's dogs at my heels when I walk. The betas groan and chat softly in their exhaustion while the alphas make their way to the shower. Pack Prince lean on the rails, carefully putting their bags down and watching me warily.
Vale opens his mouth, but I turn on my heel, walking away before he can speak. I don’t know if I have the strength to say goodbye to them.
“I want a hamburger,” Quincy says, laughing.
“I want a beer,” Justin says.
Quincy, Kendall, and Justin sit together and laugh. It’s one of my favourite parts of the trip, seeing how they have gotten quiet in their souls, how happy they are for the simple things in life.
I walk over to my Land Rover, opening it and searching until I find my other phone. I power it up, leaning in the car so I don’t have to look at them, then dig into the glove box and pull out a suppressant patch, slapping it on my arm and effectively muting my scent in seconds. I will never admit that Alpha Wise has created an absolute godsend of a gift when they created these patches. I find it ironic that they were created what helped me hide all these years.
