“I just… feel relieved it wasn’t all for nothing,” she shuddered.
“I know, sweetheart.”
I crushed her to me, holding her through her waves of grief. I felt Theo and Ben’s presence as we all gathered into one big group hug. After what felt like way too short a time, Josie lifted her head from my chest.
“Did Amirah really say that?” she asked Sam, who I realized was standing behind me.
“Yeah, she did. Some Alliance scientists used the technology in your device to make the new alpha tabs. And those tabs will help us take down this fucking government.”
Josie shivered. “Good,” she said, fierceness lighting up her eyes.
I shifted so I could see Sam. His hard gaze met mine and I saw the truth there. Josie needed to be a part of this fight, and it was our job to support her, not shield her.
ChapterFifty-Five
Theo
Ipressed myself to Josie’s side, holding myself back from ripping her out of Cam’s arms. Ever since her nightmare, I’d been excessively possessive. I’d slept curled around her last night and had been unwilling to have her out of my sight all day. I knew Sam was Josie’s friend and had helped her. I knew Gerald wasn’t a threat. But my inner alpha wanted my omega locked away, safe.
“Do you want to read your chart?” Cam asked Josie.
Fuck.
I didn’t want her to see it. I’d felt sick when Ben and Cam showed it to me, and I hadn’t even known it was hers.
She bit her lip. After a few long moments of silence, she said in a small voice, “I’m not sure if I’m ready yet.”
Relief was evident through the bond.
“You know what we need?” Sam said with a clap. “We need to do something fun. Josie, have you shown these guys your driving skills?”
Josie squealed in excitement and pushed herself out of Cam’s grasp.
“Oh my gosh, it’s been forever since I drove. Can we go?” She looked at each of us, her face lighting up with hopefulness.
“Yeah!” Ben exclaimed, picking her up and spinning her around.
“What?” Cam growled, glaring at Ben.
Great. Now it was up to Cam and me to be the bad guys.
“Please,” Josie pleaded, staring at Cam with wide eyes and a little pout.
Cam’s lip twitched almost imperceptibly. “Only if we can find a safe spot for it, where no cops are going to see,” he relented.
I shot him a look of betrayal. Now it was just up to me to stop this plan. Why did no one seem to understand that our mate needed to be kept safe?
Suddenly, she was in front of me. I steeled myself against her persuasive charms.
“Are you okay, Theo?” she asked gently, taking me off guard. I looked down to meet her gaze and saw her eyes were filled with concern… for me?
“It’s illegal for you to drive. Too dangerous,” I said, avoiding eye contact. If I looked into her bright green eyes, I would be hypnotized, convinced to do whatever possible to make her happy.
“Can we talk privately for a sec?” she asked softly, pulling me by the hand before I responded.
The door to the formal dining room, which we rarely used, closed behind us. I fought to keep myself under control, to shield her from the fear and rage running through me. I didn’t realize she had pushed me into one of the dining room chairs until I felt the leather seat underneath me.
“Theo,” she murmured, cupping my face. “Talk to me.”
