He doesn’t. “Let’s get started on getting things ready for our omega, yeah?” His cool amber eyes meet mine. “Make sure the flat is secure. That no one will be able to get in but us.”
I give him a salute and turn to find my phone, to get started on his demands. I would do it anyway, for Florence. Her safetyismy top priority, right up there with her happiness.
I just wish our prime felt the same.
Episode 20: GoldieLocked Away
Florence
We land in Bravonne on an overcast day that is still hot as the dickens and humid as hell. I start sweating as soon as we step onto the tarmac at their private airfield. The pack clusters around me, like they’re trying to keep me hidden from any paparazzi that might be lingering, as they usher me to one of the waiting cars.
There are three of them and a whole slew of guards dressed in black suits and I start to feel claustrophobic from the sheer number of eyes on me.
I’m bundled into the back of the middle car, one of those huge SUVs that has three rows of seats. Grieves slips behind the wheel. Piers settles next to him. Thayer and Forsythe take the back row and Court sits next to me in the middle.
We’ve been quiet for almost the entire flight, doing the dance of polite society. Them asking repeatedly if I need anything and me saying, ‘no, thank you’. The flight attendanthad eyed me in a way that told me she knew exactly who I was and why I was there.
I suppose that’s inevitable.
I’ve avoided going online as much as I can, but I know my collapse at the reveal of my diagnosis on air has gone viral. I know people view it as news. And I know the world is torn in half over it. One side saying it’s another manipulation on my part like they saw onRoyaLove Getaway,and the other blaming the Ashbourne pack for not recognizing me.
I’m also aware that the statement made by the Ashbourne pack following my collapse, basically only states that they had no idea prior to the on air reveal that I was their mate, and that they are working on a way forward.
That was Jude’s CliffsNotes version of it. Apparently it had a lot more flowery and diplomatic language than that, but it’s essentially what it boils down to.
I suppose I can’t blame them for the lie.
I’m not sure I would want to admit to the world that I knew days before and didn’t do anything about it. I mean I actually knew for a month and didn’t tell them. I’m as much at fault as they are.
Court’s hand slides across the space between us, his pinky brushing against my thigh to get my attention. “How are you feeling, Pix?”
I shrug, turning to look back out the window at the buildings passing by. “Okay, I guess.”
“Tired?” Thayer asks from the back seat.
“No.” I shake my head. I knew we’d be arriving in the morning, so I’d done my best to sleep on the plane to combat jetlag.
“Hungry?” Grieves asks, while navigating the tight, busy streets with ease. “I could stop and grab you something if you want?”
I’m opening my mouth to decline when Forsythe cuts me off. “We don’t have time. There’ll be food at the flat for her to eat.”
His brisk tone stings. The same as the way he’s avoided looking at me ever since I told them I would come with them stings. It feels like he got what he wanted, and now he doesn’t have to pay attention to me anymore, he doesn’t have to be kind or polite. I’m here in Bravonne, close to his pack so I won’t get sicker. His duty to me is done.
“What do you have to rush off to?” Court asks, voice hard. “What’s so important we can’t take the time to feed our mate?”
“We will feed her, just not at a restaurant. I made sure the flat would have all the things she’ll need.”
I don’t miss the way he’s talking around me and not to me. It really does feel like he just can’t be bothered. Or maybe I’m feeling a little extra sensitive given the situation we find ourselves in.
I’m currently in the country where most of the people aren’t too keen on me. I’m with a pack that doesn’t really want me. And I left my family and best friends behind, my entire support system.
At least I have a return flight and this isn’t an open ended visit.
Jude and I booked a ticket for two weeks before Haven’s due date. I didn’t tell the Ashbourne pack about it. Don’t want to let them know they only have a few weeks to figure their shit out, to decide if they want to keep me, or if they want to keep Isadora.
I think they might be under the impression that I’ll stay for as long as they need me here, for as long as it takes, but I’m just… not capable of that.
Every moment spent with them is a danger to me, to my heart, to my health. The longer we’re together, the more painful the fallout when this all crumbles around us.
