I did my best to shield my emotions from the bond. My alphas were exhausted and I didn’t want to add to their stress. I rested my head against Cam’s shoulder and pretended to sleep as Theo drove back to the city.
The car bumped as we pulled onto a paved road, the streetlights illuminating the way back to the house—the house I hadn’t stepped foot in since I was torn away from my alphas. Memories of that night bombarded me—the pain as I was ripped from Ben’s arms, Glen’s maniacal laugh, the sound of gunshots and my alphas hitting the water. Anxiety burst through the bond like jolts of electricity. I wasn’t sure if it was coming from me or my alphas, but it overwhelmed me enough to force a whine.
“Theo!” Ben shouted as the car swerved. Cam’s arms banded around me, holding me tighter than my seatbelt.
“Shit,” Theo said, his hands shaking as he guided the car to the side of the road.
“Sorry, sorry,” he repeated, placing his head in his hands.
His eyes were bloodshot, and I realized the fear I’d felt through the bond was coming from him. I unbuckled before shifting forward, fitting as much of my body as possible over the front console and giving him the world’s most awkward hug. He shuddered as he leaned into my touch.
“I don’t think I can go back to the house,” he confessed.
The tight ball in my chest eased with his words.
“I don’t think I can, either,” I said, my voice a hoarse whisper.
Angry tears streaked down my face. The house was another thing Glen had stolen from me.
Cam’s hand cupped the back of my neck and he ran his fingers down the bond mark, sending warmth through my body and forcing me to take a breath.
Glen hadn’t taken everything. My alphas were here. I was here.
“Same,” Ben said, intertwining his fingers with mine. “We could get a hotel room for the night and then figure out next steps?”
I stiffened, hating the idea. Hotel rooms always carried a mix of lingering scents and something about the rooms themselves felt… exposed.
Cam grunted, tightening his hold on my neck. “We could return to the safe house or… what about our cabin?” he asked, carefully judging my reaction. I had completely forgotten the guys owned a cabin in the mountains. I might not be familiar with it, but it wastheirspace, which automatically made it feel like the best option.
“Fuck, why didn’t I think of that?” Theo asked, tugging at his hair.
Now it was my turn to capture Theo’s hand before running my own through his hair, gently arranging his longer-than-usual strands.
“Why don’t I drive?” Ben suggested. Theo looked like he was going to protest, but then he nodded sharply.
I sank back in my seat as they got out of the car and swapped spots.
“You okay, sweetheart?” Cam asked.
I was about to tell him I was when I paused. Apparently, we’d all had bad feelings about returning to the house, but none of us had said anything. We needed to be more honest with each other.
“Not really,” I said, slumping into his side.
“What do you need?” Ben asked, turning in his seat.
“Just to be together. Does your cabin have a big bed?”
“Sure does,” Ben said, making a U-turn as he got back on the road.
“It’s not far from here,” Theo said. “I should be able to turn the heat on from my phone.”
“Fancy,” I mused. “What’s it like?”
“It’s pretty small and rustic, but we renovated the main bathroom and kitchen last year, so it’s comfortable,” Ben said.
The rest of the drive passed in a blur. My alphas kept up a steady stream of conversation about the cabin. I knew they were doing it to distract me, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
When we finally pulled up to the cabin, I couldn’t see much except the gas lantern by the front door, flickering warmly as if welcoming us home. My omega settled, already feeling safer here than we had in ages. She was itching to nest, and I hoped there were plenty of cozy blankets.
