I take it.
My name is on the outside in handwriting I recognize from the grocery lists Marie used to leave on the counter at Ragon's. Neat and slightly slanted.
I unfold it.
Vee,
I did what I had to do. But I failed anyway, in the end, so you got hurt for nothing at all.
Ragon's pack was never good for you. They're too much like me. I hope your new pack is better.
I'm sorry I hurt you, Vee. I never wanted to hurt another omega. But I'd do it again. Every time.
I read it twice.
Then I fold it carefully and set it on the table in front of me.
"The last thing she said to me," Chase says. "'Vee doesn't know it, but she's one of the lucky ones. She got away.'"
The kitchen is completely silent.
"What does that mean?" Malcolm asks.
"I don't know yet," Chase says. "But I'm going to find out."
We sit with that. I sit there absorbing everything—Alex's flag lifted, Marie's cryptic note, the revelation about the Hollows, a missing omega boy, and Chase's determination to uncover the full truth. I picture Marie standing in that registry building, demanding to be heard, her motives unknown. Why would she help us? She had nothing to gain.
She hurt me. She'd do it again.
She also did this.
Both things. At the same time.
I think I understand that more than I expected to, but still not enough.
But Marie’s problems are hers and I have to deal with my own.
Rhys's hand finds mine under the table.
I look around at all of them. Malcolm with his jaw tight and his eyes bright. Finn with his hands wrapped around his mug, staring at nothing at all. Rhys steady beside me, like he always is.
We can rebuild.
We can have Alex back.
The thought arrives slowly, like something too big to process quickly. The flag is gone. There's no legal barrier anymore. Nothing standing between Alex and his pack. Nothing standing between Alex and me.
Nothing except Alex himself and whatever he's decided to do with his sacrifice now that the sacrifice isn't necessary.
I look at Chase.
"Take me to him," I say. "Now."
Chase looks at Malcolm. At Finn. At Rhys.
Then back at me.
"Alone," I say.
