Page 108 of Verses and Blooms
The chief stepped forward first. Instead of something formal, he pulled me into a quick, but firm hug. It was fatherly and left my chest aching at the thought of never seeing him again.
“Thank you for giving me my life back,” he said.
“Ditto,” I teased, swiping away a tear.
“That was all you,” he countered. “Now you get to live a life thatyoudecide. Congratulations, Audrey. I hope you find everything you’re looking for.”
“Thanks, Ch-David.”
He grinned, then moved on to the others, shaking hands with my pack. When he reached Ares, he pulled him into a hug as well.
“Good work, Aeron,” he said, giving my Alpha a knowing wink. “Hopefully, we’ll see you soon.”
“We’re definitely keeping in touch,” Colt promised, stepping forward to give me a hug as well. Cooke shook Rydell’s hand, and Vance clapped Ledger on the shoulder.
“Keep her close. Keep them safe,” Vance said.
“We will,” Ares promised.
That left Director Cross. The man who had to live with his actions, but who was at least trying to make things right.
“Audrey,” he said, meeting my eyes without hesitation. “I’m happy for you. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
“Thank you,” I said, nodding. It came out more formal than I meant, but I couldn’t help it. “I truly hope you take a step back and heal from this place. For your own sanity. We all know how delicate that can be.”
“That’s the plan,” he admitted. “I’m handing this place over to the Alliance for good. My time here is almost finished.”
“Good.”
He seemed surprised by my words, but I was already walking away, stepping through the doors and taking a deep breath of fresh air.
I’d been out here not long ago, but it felt different now.
Now, it felt likefreedom.
We all loaded into one of the dark SUVs. Thankfully, there were enough seats for all seven of us. I wasn’t willing to split up quite yet.
Ares, of course, took the wheel. I climbed into the front seat and immediately turned on the radio. I didn’t even know what everyone liked, or even what I liked, but it didn’t matter. Anything was better than silence.
My thoughts were loud enough.
“Everyone ready?” Ares asked. “I’m driving until the sun comes up.”
“Get us out of here,” Ansel pleaded.
My alpha put the car in drive and drove up to the gates. We waited as the guard slid them open, giving him a salute as we passed through.
I held my breath until we were clear of them, as if I was terrified something was coming to stop us now. Just as we passed through I rolled down my window and leaned out for one last glance at Ash Recovery Center, the place that broke me a little more but somehow helped piece me back together at the same time.
The future was finally here. I just wished I knew how long it would take for me to stop looking over my shoulder.
Ares pulled into the gas station the moment we found one. He handed Ledger his wallet, pulling out a card for the pump, first.
“I’ll get gas. You guys grab snacks and drinks for everyone. It’s not a road trip without a gas station stop, right?”
“I wouldn’t know,” Ansel snorted, but grinned anyway. He was letting go of everything and I had no choice but to do the same.
It was like we were shedding the blanket of doom that had hung over us for so long.
