“I… Can you stay at their place, too?”
I don’t think any of us expected her to say that, but we probably should have. Her omega would want to be around her scent matches as much as possible. Riley is bouncing with excitement, and I clamp my free hand on his leg to still him.
I glance at Vee, but she’s already speaking. “Brooks is welcome to stay, but I can’t speak to his work schedule or any other commitments.”
“It’s not a problem,” I say. “If you want me here, Petal, I’ll be here.”
“Okay,” she whispers with a nod. “Let’s do it.”
“That’s our brave omega,” I say.
My heart thumps in my chest, a battle cry of vindication and determination. We’re getting our omega out. We’re going to care for her, keep her safe, make her happy. I’ve never had a purpose so strong as this one.
Chapter Twenty
Sage
My brother’s truck roars away down the road. My heart is pounding so hard I’m worried it might give out, and my breaths saw in and out of my lungs. Excitement and nerves tingle up and down my arms as I wait, alternating heat and ice sluicing down my spine as adrenaline wreaks havoc on my system. My eyes dart up and down the road to ensure they aren’t coming back, that they didn’t forget anything or decide not to go to the game after all.
For endless minutes I wait, blood whooshing in my ears.
There’s no sign of them, and I force my staccato breathing to slow. It’s early afternoon and the day has dragged by, but finally, it’s go-time.
I run upstairs and text the group chat, then pack a small bag with the only belongings I care about: my lamb stuffie, a couple cozy t-shirts from my teenage years when things weren’t quite so bad, and the small collection of trinkets and gifts from Brooks and Vee. Then I realize I’ll need some clothes to wear, so I begrudgingly add a few of the least offensive outfits from my closet.
I’ve given a lot of thought to if I should leave any sort of note for Steve and Josh. In the end, I decide to write a simple message.
I’m leaving. I’m safe, and I don’t want to live with either of you anymore.
Don’t come after me.
- Sage
I grab the phone and shove the charger in my bag, leave the note on my pillow, then jog back down the stairs to wait by the front door.
My heart is pounding and both my legs feel like jelly as I wait. One of my nails starts bleeding and I suck it into my mouth, although I’m not sure if I was biting it or picking at it. Doesn’t really matter, I guess.
Finally, the phone in my hand lights up with a message from Brooks that he’s outside. I quite literally run to his truck and leap in, immediately looking around to check if anyone is watching. I don’t see anyone paying attention, but you never know. I don’t think I’ve blinked in minutes, and my eyes are starting to burn.
“Sage,” Brooks says, drawing my attention. “I’m so proud of you. Is that all you want to bring?”
“Yeah, I don’t have anything else I care about.”
“Okay. Are you ready to get out of here?”
A tremulous smile tilts my lips and I nod rapidly. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Then my eyes widen as I instinctively pull in a slow breath; he’s not using the scent dampeners. Brooks’ calming, earthyscent wraps around me like a warm cocoon. I lean into him and take another deep breath, my nose nearly touching his biceps.
“Come here, Petal.”
Brooks cups a gentle hand around my jaw and angles his body toward mine. I close my eyes, soaking in his safety, and then he scent marks the crown of my head. My eyes prickle and I scrunch them closed, only for him to scent mark my cheek, my jaw, and then my wrist.
He starts to pull back, and an omega snarl rips out of me, taking both of us by surprise. Brooks blinks at me, but freezes.
“What do you need?”
“I…”
