Page 42 of Scent of Sanctuary

Ambrose chuckles, the sound rumbling against my back. “Wow, I’ve been in love with you but I think I’m in love with you just a bit more.” He flicks on the TV as I dive back into my messages.

Strawberrybubbles – I only got to the sidewalk but I made it outside, yes.

Coolblue – are you going to update us on everything else? The last time we talked was the fire or something. You only pop in every now and then. Deets, woman!

MacNCheese – only if you want to.

My fingers fly over the keys as I unload everything that’s happened and now the babies swimming in my belly from the Alphas I can call mine. I even mention Jonah and the fact that we’re about to watch his sentence.

ClassyO – welcome to the land of daddies and mommies. God, I can’t wait to hold my kid.

Strawberrybubbles – you really don’t want someone to take care of you? To hold you?

ClassyO – every Omega wants that, Bubbles but in my line of work it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t want my money or my name in exchange.

Razorfox – what Classy is trying to say is that he owns Aurum Pulse and people tend to cozy up to him for the perks.

Strawberrybubbles – you said he owned a club before but not which club. Wait, you’re Emilio Ardyn?

ClassyO – one and the same, nice to meet you.

MacNCheese – damn, are we getting an invite? That place is classy as fuck. Oh, right, the username makes sense then. Wait, you’re pregnant alone? I aspire to be you.

Coolblue – I’ve gotta convince my Alphas to take me.

Razorfox – why? That place would overstimulate you.

Coolblue – I know and then my Alphas would drag me home and fuck me into oblivion. A little bit of panic in exchange for pure bliss. It’s a win, win for me.

ClassyO – convince our bubble princess to show up and I’ll make sure you all get that private table I promised you.

There’s another flurry of messages begging me to show up as I shake my head and shutdown the app. I might have ventured outside but stepping into a club is an entirely different set of skills that I don’t have. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do that but only time will tell.

I snuggle deeper into Ambrose’s chest as Lyle comes to sit on the couch after handing me a bowl of strawberry ice cream, caramel drizzled on top. The gift has me kicking my feet as I dig in, my gaze falling on the TV as a gavel slamming down against wood steals our attention.

The screen pans to Jonah, his unrepentant face making me want to strangle him. He hurt so many people,killedpeople, and he stands there, not admitting to his guilt in the slightest. I wish I was strong enough to face him and to read my statement, to tell him how much he hurt me but that will come in time.

For now, I’ll be content here, watching as the judge reads him the riot act. And then it happens, the moment I was waiting for.

25 years to life.

I can’t focus on anything else, although the judge is still speaking about the multiple counts, including the murder of Felix Monroe and the arson of multiple properties, including the recent blaze that endangered firefighters and almost stole Callum from me.

He’s gone. He’s not coming back.

The constant nightmare following me is getting put behind bars, the biggest reason why I holed myself up disappearing. Jonah gave up the other Alphas that tried to steal my innocence, hoping that would give him some leeway but the judge isn’t having it. He calls himeviland not capable of feelings. I wholeheartedly agree, unable to see the man who was my brother’s friend anymore. No, the man in that courtroom is a monster.

My phone buzzes with a text from Callum.

Pulling into the parking lot, sweetheart. I heard the good news!

A squeal tears from my throat as I jump off Ambrose’s lap and press a kiss to Lyle’s lips before darting toward the door. For some reason, the excitement bursting through me stealing my rationale thought.He’s gone.

I’m not even aware of what I’m doing as I rip open the door and rush outside, eyes peeled for Callum’s dark truck, the rumble of its engine causing me to look to my right. He’s barely out of the car as I spring toward him, the hot pavement beneath my feet scuffing the skin but I don’t care.

He catches me in his arms, his purr rumbling through his chest as I stuff my face into his neck. “He’s gone, Alpha. He’s gone,” I murmur, drinking in his scent.

His arms wrap around me as he continues to purr for me, walking us back toward the house. “Sweetheart, you made it outside.”

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