I’d held it together as we drove the omegas to the warehouse the Alliance set up for them until they could safely reunite with their families.
I pushed my feelings aside as I helped get them settled with their clothes, food, and blankets.
I ignored my alphas when they suggested I sit down and rest. The second I stopped, everything would catch up to me, and I would fall apart. I needed to keep going.
In the early morning hours, the warehouse fell quiet as the omegas settled into bed, and my alphas finally convinced me it was time to go.
Cam gently deposited me in the back of a borrowed car before climbing in behind me. This car was much smaller than Theo’s, and Cam’s large form took up most of the backseat. He pulled me to his chest and I realized I was shaking. I blinked away tears as I looked out the window at the shadowy building in the middle of the woods. Guilt surged through me that I had my alphas and a home to go to.
“They’ll be looked after,” Cam said, kissing my forehead. “Now, let us look after you.”
Ben reached back from the front seat and I held his hand tightly in mine.
“Why don’t you try to sleep?” he suggested. “It’s about an hour and a half drive back to the house.”
I nodded because I knew it would make them happy, but deep down, I was terrified to close my eyes. I’d been so close to being taken by Jericho. I tried to focus on the fact that I’d fought him and won, but the leftover terror still ran through me like an overwhelming tidal wave.
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 was their space, 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.
I got out of the car and stretched, arching my back. Ben came up behind me and grabbed my ass.
I snorted as I whirled around. “You feeling better, or are you still mad at me?”
He grinned as he backed me up against the car and kissed me, pressing his body tight against mine as his hand cupped my face. The kiss was all heat and tenderness.
“I was never mad at you, precious, even though you took years off my life. You make me feel better. Having you here, our pack together. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
I melted into him, returning the kiss. The cold night air whipped against my skin, a contrast to Ben’s heated body pressing against my front.
Cam cleared his throat. “It’s too cold to be out here,” he huffed.
“Jealous?” Ben asked, giving me another kiss before throwing his arm around my shoulders and walking me up to the cabin door.
“Yes,” Cam growled. I looked up at him and he winked.
Theo held the front door open for us, but instead of going in, I threw my arms around him. I didn’t ask him if he was okay, and he didn’t ask the same of me. But as we made our way into the cabin, I felt more sure than I ever had that we all would be someday.
