Page 74 of Stella

I slid into my car, pausing before putting the key in the ignition.

I should go back. Throw myself to my knees and beg for forgiveness. She was everything I didn’t think I could have in an omega.

I blinked, my alpha instincts pushing me.

But if she couldn’t meet me halfway, couldn’t attempt to help me with my fears, then I was right.

I forced myself to start the car. Put it into reverse. Everything calm, controlled.

I wouldn’t let her break me. Wouldn’t let my alpha instincts steer me the wrong way again.

Evan and Jerrick would be angry, but in time they would see this was for the best. Stella had said this was just a fling for her. And now it was over.

I pulled out of the driveway and didn’t look back.

Chapter21

Stella

Istared down at the tarot card spread in front of me.

Even the universe was messing with me.

It was bad enough that I finally let myself open up to a new pack only for it to blow up in my face.

Now the cards were out to get me.

Ember looked at me expectantly. “Another reading?”

“Yes,” I said quickly.

After days of crying and eating ice cream, I was trying to get myself back into the swing of things.

My family hadn’t said anything to me about the breakup. Good thing I wasn’t dating them, or I would have been heartbroken.

I bit back a sob. I shifted my weight on the pillow. Ember’s cottage had a beautiful airy sunroom she decorated with bright cloths, wind chimes, and so many crystals. She had a low table and cushions for seats.

Ember shuffled one of her tarot decks. She had a lot of decks, some with pictures of cats, one notable deck with succulents but, when doing family readings, she used what we called ‘The Cosmic Bonds’ deck which had suns, moons, and stars.

She’d offered to do a reading for me, and I’d accepted. Something was clearly wrong with me. I couldn’t keep a pack. What kind of omega couldn’t keep a pack?

My last pack had dumped for another omega, and this pack had decided they couldn’t trust me.

I shook my head. That wasn’t entirely fair. Evan and Jerrick had both texted, asking to talk, but I’d replied ‘no’ and left it at that.

There was no point if Simon refused to trust me. I wouldn’t come between them, not when Ava had already done so much damage.

I would never be that person, no matter how much I wanted them.

My heart cracked again, and tears prickled in the corner of my eyes.

I sucked in a breath, my head pounding, and let it out. I needed another trip to the steam baths. I couldn’t relax, couldn’t unclench.

“Here we go.” Ember’s voice was soft and soothing.

She and West would fall in love one day, probably soon. I had no reason to think it was true, but it felt like familial intuition.

We would all fall in love, and it would hurt so badly.

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