Rushing back into the room, I search frantically for my dress. I find it on the floor near the desk. Grabbing it, I slip it on and begin scanning the floor for my shoes when I remember I didn't wear any. Okay, now where is my phone? I need my phone.
I spot it on the desk and snatch it up, as well as my purse that’s lying next to it.
I’m about to dart for the door when I pause. I can’t just leave, right? What if they wake up and worry, or think I’m rejecting them? I’m not. I don’t think I could.
I just need time to think before I go crazy.
Instead, I grab the pen and notepad sitting on top of the desk, and write out a quick note.
Hey. Sorry, I just left without a word. The time we had was amazing, thank you for helping me with my heat. As you can guess, I’m freaking out. I don’t regret what we did, I just need time to process everything. I don’t have your phone numbers, but I’m leaving you mine. Give me a few days before you text. I promise we can talk about this soon. Just... sorry.
I’m nearly in tears as I slip out of the hotel room, leaving my scent matches behind.
By the time I get to the lobby, there’s a gnawing pain in my chest.
I want to go back, to never leave them, and that scares the shit out of me. I just met them, I don’t know their last names, where they live, or anything about them. I shouldn’t feel this consumed by my feelings for them. This whole scent match thing is too much for me to deal with right now.
I go to order an Uber and groan when I see the insane number of notifications.
Most are for messages from my mother. I ignore them all and order an Uber. After that, I text Cae, so she knows I’m fine. I tell her I went into heat during an event and rode it out alone in a hotel.
I hate lying to her. I want to tell her everything, but I don’t know how I feel about all of this yet.
The app says my driver is two minutes away, so I sit on a bench by the front door and wait.
People walk by, casting me glances. I want to crawl into a hole and hide right now. I’ve got to look like a hot mess. I’m pretty sure I’m covered in dry cum, my hair is a mess, and my makeup is running. Although I’m not totally sure, since I didn’t get a good look at anything but the bite marks.
My hand reaches up, covering the tender skin. “Why me?” I groan, hanging my head.
The Uber arrives, and I’m quick to get in.
The whole two-hour ride home, all I can think about is Carson and Reid. By the time we’re pulling up to my house, I’m in tears, a mess. I want to go back, to wake them up, to talk to them. I miss their smell, their warmth.
What if I never see them again? What if they hate me for leaving and they never text me?
You’re so stupid, Addie. So damn stupid.
Tears spill down my cheeks as I walk into the house.
I managed to listen to a few of my mother’s voicemails in the car. She left for her work trip, but she made it very clear that she’s furious with me. She also informed me that the asshole Alphas she tried to force on me have rescinded their request to court me.
Thank fuck. That saves me the trouble of turning them down.
Apparently, she plans to find me another pack when she gets back, and if I fuck it up, I’m gone.
Well, fuck you, mother, because that’s not happening. I’m not sure what's going to happen with Carson, Reid, and me, but I sure as hell know that other packs are not going to want me if I’m already mated.
That's good though. It’s what I wanted, right?
At the very least, I would have liked to get to know them properly, but I fucked that up by running like a coward.
With heavy shoulders, I trudge toward the stairs, intending to go to my room, shower, then bury myself in my blankets andpillows to wallow in peace. I really need to make myself a nest. If I clean out my closet, it should work.
“You’re back.”
My head snaps to the side, finding Damien standing a few feet away. By the look on his face and the way his nostrils flare, he sees what’s on my neck and can smell the evidence of what I’ve done.
As if this day can’t get any worse, my stepbrother just caught me doing the ultimate walk of shame. Fuck my life.
