Page 53 of Petals & Promises

Gareth stood and collected everyone’s bowls, then faced us with his arms crossed. “So about tomorrow…” He paused, then started again, “I would like to try for us all to go out on the ATVs. I’m not sure I can do it, but if that’s the case, I’ll take one of the horses out with you guys. The best way to see the ranch and the real beauty of it is to get out into the pasture lands.”

“Don’t stress, man. We’ll figure out a way to explore the place so we all enjoy the day,” Lysse assured him.

Warrick nodded. “Darn tootin’.”

“Don’t do that,” Gareth muttered, rolling his eyes. “No one talks like that… it’s just for the movies. Someone might think you’re making fun of them and shoot your ass.”

“What?” Warrick blurted, looking horrified.

“Yeah, everyone around here has a gun, and it’s legal to openly carry. Trust me, it makes for incredibly safe neighborhoods, but there’s a downside to everything like what could happen if they lose their temper,” Gareth explained.

As the boys went back and forth about their feelings on the matter of guns, I poked Yun-Sun with my toe. He turned his attention to me with a questioning brow.

“Can I use your phone to send my mom an email?” I requested.

Without hesitation, Yun pulled out his phone and handed it over. Since everything with Randall had gone down, the police wanted to keep my phone to track any messages he might still be sending me. So, in the meantime, I used one of the guys’ phones to keep in contact with my family. Pressing my thumb to the sensor, it unlocked, and I pulled up my emails, glancing over the junk. Then I spotted one that was from my school, which was odd since there wasn’t any reason they should be contacting me.

Miss Thatcher,

This email is being sent as confirmation that the paintings you submitted for your final art project have been collected by Mr. Randall Steele. Thank you for choosing our school to further your education, and congratulations again on graduating.

Professor Roberts, Dean of Arts

Golden Oaks University of Fine Arts

I read the email twice, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Looking at the date, I realized it had been sent four days ago. With traveling and time changes, I forgot to look at my email, but I hadn’t realized it had been four days. Then another email appeared as I refreshed the inbox, and I froze—it was from Randall.

Paintings - Randall Steele

Hi Bumblebee,

I went by your home today but didn’t see any sign of you, so I guessed those Alphas must be keeping you locked away at their house. Do you know what I found when I went there? Security guards with attack dogs walking the property. My sweet, fragile bumblebee, I told you they were no good. Now you’re trapped, and they’ve hired people to prevent you from leaving.

God, I miss you so much, Bumblebee.

I needed to have a piece of you close, so I went to your school. When I called, they said your paintings were still there, and I could pick them up for you. Your talent is amazing, and I nailed the one you did of us to my bedroom ceiling. Mother wasn’t happy about that, but she’s the reason you were taken from me in the first place. She told me I needed to move on and find a new Omega to love, but I only want my Bumblebee.

Just keep holding on. I will find a way to get you free from those bastards. Then we can run away wherever we want to go and start our life.

P.S. You never said thank you for helping you get that surgery you needed. That’s a little rude, don't you think?

Your real Alpha, Randall

I froze, unable to speak, move, or do anything but stare at the words on the screen. My hand started to shake, and I lost my grip on the phone so it tumbled to my lap. The sound of my pulse in my ears roared so loud I couldn’t hear anything else.

Randall had gone to my home, both my homes, looking for me. What would have happened if we weren’t out of town?

“Bailey-Rose,” Yun-Sun snapped, using his Alpha bark to force a reaction out of me. “Breathe, take a deep breath in for me, sweetheart.”

Only then did I realize I’d been holding my breath. Submitting to his command, I gasped for air as my whole body started to shake. Or maybe I’d already been shaking and didn’t notice in my terror-filled state.

Lysse appeared before me, cupping my face in his hands and forcing me to look up at him. “Rosie, you are safe. We are thousands of miles away from home, and the only people who know we are here are your family and Gareth’s. Randall cannot hurt you while you’re here with us and Waffles to watch over you. Now you say it with me,” Lysse instructed.

“I am safe,” I managed to get out with a shaky voice. “I am not alone. My pack and Waffles are here to keep me safe.”

“Good, that’s good, Rosie,” Lysse murmured, using his thumbs to wipe away my tears before releasing my face. “There’s one other important thing you need to remember about all this… you fought back and won. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” I whispered, feeling my panic start to ebb, but I was nowhere near being all right.