“I don’t have a pack!”
“Yet. But you’ve got all these Alphas trying to make amends including getting their shit in order for when the time is right for you to talk about packing.”
I snort out a laugh, “Okay, I’m not sure I agree with you. Anyway, how do you know?”
“I’m an Alpha who’s been there and done that, but I also got a pair of fucking eyes in my skull and see things you clearly don’t. Now get, you got things to organise.” Big Tom ends our conversation and then he shuts the door of my car before walking off all casually like he’s not freaking imparting life lessons like Yoda.
Before we’re pulling out of the venue, I’m leaving a detailed message on King’s phone about what happened at the hospital a few weeks ago. I have to call back a couple of times to tell him everything, but by the time I’ve finished explaining, I’ve stopped crying and I feel a hundred times better.
Until I get back to Unity, to an empty suite. And then my mood dips again.
I walk around Raney and Heidi’s rooms and list all the things missing from their rooms but more than that their essence is missing from our unit. The four of us have been talking heaps about our time at Unity is ending, initially it was exciting now I’m heartbroken. I know our friendship is a life-long one, these girls are like the sisters I never had but not seeing them daily is going to take some getting used to.
Sitting on my bed feeling sorry for myself, I send my girls a message in our group chat letting them know I love and miss them. No one responds, and I can see none of them are online but that doesn’t make me feel better, it just reinforces my mood. I lie down to stare out the window and contemplate life but something under my pillow makes a rustling noise. I quickly remember the envelope I stuffed under there before.
“Courting gift my ass. Ten bucks my mysterious texter has levelled up and started sending me paper threats,” I grumble out loud. Sliding my finger under the seal, a folded piece of paper falls out, along with a check. The check is made out to cash, so it doesn’t give me any clues as to who is sending me money, when I open the note, I get my answer.
Tristan,
I’ve written this a hundred times after watching you walk away. I deserved your anger because you’re right, I did lie. It was an awful move on my part, and I knew going into it you’d be hurt. I also knew ending us before we even started was the wrong decision, but I had to do it.
I’m hoping you give me the chance to explain. I’ll be away for a few days but will have my phone if you want to reach me.
I hope (I’m begging really) you give me an opportunity to explain why I did you wrong.
Stay safe. And I am so sorry, Tristan. I really am.
Tyson
PS. Can you give this check back to Dean. It’s not for the full amount because I needed some money to do what I should have done a while ago (I promise this will all make sense soon).
Reading his note is like being dragged backwards through time. All the reminders of him and what happened fill my head, so vividly too. I can literally feel his presence next to me as I sink into remembering what I tried so hard to forget. And I didn’t forget a thing. Tyson’s dark blue stormy eyes steal my breath away. I’d be able to describe all his features in detail if asked, including how silky soft his hair was. Of course it’s the samewith his scent, but in that regard my mind teases me, making me almost believe I can taste his sweet lemony scent. Admittedly, it’s the lemon meringue version and not the citric sourness from our goodbye.
Part of why I just shut away all memories of Tyson is because Big Tom was right, it’s been a shit show ever since. Though the bigger reason is because I’m still heartbroken and in shock.
My emotions keep rising and pitching and it’s exhausting because a voice in my head decides to remind me it’s not just Tyson who makes me sad. Maverick and King are a part of it too because while all these Alphas say we’re packing, or they’ll fix us, I’m still alone and tonight that voice is completely neurotic but it is the loudest too.
Picking up my phone, I’m not slow at putting two and two together because I’ve been an Omega for forever but sometimes you really do forget the obvious signs of your cycle. Triple checking on when my last heat isn’t something I have to do but at least it confirms again why my brain is so bonkers tonight.
Taking a long, hot shower I use all my favourite things to pull myself back into alignment, but even after trying all my usual favourite soaps and lotions it isn’t until I’m pulling on one of King’s hoodies and climbing into my nest with the empty water bottle Maverick gave me and my note from Tyson, that I start to feel better. The sense of relief is so deep, it has me swiping happy tears away.
Turning on the fairy lights so my nesting room is dim and cosy, I all but bury myself under every nesting blanket I own, but it’s the little pieces of them that comfort me the most.
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
TRISTAN
Iwake up close to one the following afternoon, feeling like a million dollars. Last night seems almost insignificant now I’ve had the chance to sleep. Checking my phone I hit redial in an instant.
“Fuck, Tris, you gave me a heart attack last night. What’s got you being so sappy and sentimental?” Raney’s concern is as loud as her voice is.
“Oh my god, I had the weirdest day and then I got home and Simona’s left, Ho’s over at Verdune and it felt…”
“Come stay here,” she says in an instant except before I can say a word she starts to backtrack. “Well, here as in get a hotel close by and then I’ll come see you because I don’t want you here.”
I laugh at her honesty. “No you won’t. You won’t leave your pack or your new house and you shouldn’t. I’m good now. I was just having such a crappy night.”
