Page 97 of Zoinks! Nice Pack, Bro

Shame washed over me in huge waves.

How were the guys going to react when they finally saw me how everyone else did? When were they going to open their eyes and realize that they had made such a terrible mistake with me?

Maybe they were too kind and wouldn’t kick me out. Maybe I needed to just leave them so they could find an omega that was good enough for their pack.

My hands slid through my phone, ignoring the texts that they had been sending me. Ignoring the missed calls from them. I was searching for the parole board, seeing when Dylan got out of prison.

Two years.

I had two years until he was free.

Two years didn’t seem long enough. But maybe it was long enough that I could run, creating distance between me and the guys so they wouldn’t be caught up in this.

I could move to Florida. People from Massachusetts loved moving to Florida. It was like something about the orange trees and Disney that drew us in.

I could work anywhere. I didn’t mind hard work and was willing to do anything if it meant that I could take care of myself for a little while longer.

Hitching myself up, I drop my bag into the alley before climbing out the window, pulling it close enough that I’m not worried about a raccoon making its home in Paxton’s office.

I freeze when I hear a car pull up, ducking behind a trash can as I go still, praying that it’s not that man.

“Her car is here.” Jace’s voice sounds as I shut my eyes tighter.

Part of me wants to run to them, cry, and let them make me feel like I’m safe but the other part of me stays hidden. I don’t want to be around anyone right now. I want to call my best friend and just cry on the phone with her.

“Lets just go inside and check it out. She probably got distracted.” Ant is making excuses for me, having to believe that I’m okay.

But I’m not.

I’mnotokay.

As I hear the door open to the gym, I run.

I run for the bus that is just about to pull up, going god knows where and I call my best friend as I sit in the back.

“Girl, I know you have four dudes who worship you but-” She stops talking, “Who do I need to kill, bitch? They’re dead. All of them.” My best friend's voice makes me feel safe and I love her for that. Love that I can lay all my vulnerabilities at her feet.

I’m safe.

I have to remind myself this several times because as I ride this bus to God knows where I feel anything but safe.

CHAPTER 26

I WASN’T PREPARED

Anthony

How many excuses can I make up for why Sadie isn’t answering our calls? How much can I say when we open the doors to the gym and she’s not there? What excuse am I going to come up with about why the fuck Paxton’s office door is jammed shut?

I’m just as freaked out as the rest of them but I’m not going all toxic macho man like Paxton who already broke down the door and smashing the chair that had been blocking it.

I’m not quietly losing my mind like Cameron who hasn’t stopped rubbing his chest like he’s having a fucking heart attack as he gets PTSD flashbacks of being lost from the squad.

And then there is Jace, who is three shades lighter than usual, and hasn’t stopped asking if we should call the police because he doesn’t have any plan for what to do about our missing omega.

“It smells like bleach.” Cameron whispers the words when we step into the office and it makes our backs straighten.

It does smell like bleach.

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