“I work at the bookstore downtown in Willow Lake. Someone has chained us inside and started a fire outside. Smoke is already coming in fast.”
“We’re sending help to you now. Stay calm for me.”
Calm was the last thing I felt.
Taryn and Dani huddled together. I moved without thinking, rushing to the bathroom to grab some of our towels, wetting them, then bringing them back.
“Here, this will help keep some of the smoke out of our lungs.” I tied it around my face like a bandana before dropping down behind the counter. “Keep low.”
Dani let out a small whimper as she tied the towel around her face, blocking the worst of it. Tears were running down her cheeks and soaking into the fabric. Taryn was frozen, forcing us to pull her down with us while I tied it into place.
“Thank God the babies aren’t with us today,” she said, her voice so quiet it was hard to hear.
Banging at the front had us peeking over the counter. The smoke was hazy now, filling the space even with us closing off the back room.
Taryn’s pack was at the door now, Ash swinging something heavy at the chain. I could hear something at the back door as well, but we didn’t dare move.
“Keep down until they’re done,” I said, holding their hands in each of mine. The smoke was thick enough it burned at my eyes, and I knew my lungs were next if they didn’t hurry.
This was something I hoped I’d never have to witness again. Dread filled my chest, heavy and thick like the smoke in the air.
This was Cameron. I knew that without a doubt.
Flashing lights and sirens filtered in as the firetrucks pulled up. I peeked over as my pack rushed the door. Just the sight of them had an eerie calm taking over.
They had promised they’d always be here, and here they were. This pack wasn’t about breaking those promises.
Apollo stood at the door behind the others before Corvin ran up. He had some kind of tool in his hand, thick and bulky enough that it took two of them to really use it, but soon it was snapping through the chain, the door bursting open.
Smoke billowed out, emptying the room as they rushed to escort us out.
Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. The guys pulled me to them, checking me over. They spoke but I couldn't process it.
Soon, I was put in the back of an ambulance and taken to the ER.
Life moved around me, the staff moving me to a room and checking everything out. My body complied even as my brain stayed weirdly silent.
It wasn’t until I heard the rhythmic pulsing of a heartbeat echoing in the air that I finally pulled myself out of it.
“My baby,” were the first words that left my lips. My voice was hoarse and strangely hollow.
“Our baby is fine,” Corvin promised, placing his large hand on my cheek, forcing me to look at him. His eyes roamed over my face, studying my expression. “You did so good, Siren. They told us that you kept everyone calm. Covering your faces was brilliant. They said your lungs sound good. They gave you something to soothe any throat irritation when you got here.”
“Oh,” I managed to say.
He closed his eyes, resting his forehead on mine. “You scared me.”
“Us, too,” Apollo whispered from my other side, his hand clinging to mine. I didn’t even feel it until he gave my fingers a squeeze. “You were like a robot when we got you back here.”
“It’s not my first fire,” I said. “It just brought up bad memories. I think I went into autopilot.”
“Well, you did good, omega,” Ezra reassured me. “You kept our baby and your friends safe.”
With that, I rested my head back on the pillows, my shoulders slumping.
I made it through. This time, without the scars.
“What happened after?” I said.
