Page 116 of Lavender and Lightning

“You know, you never told me why you changed your mind,” Jason says, genuine curiosity coming forward.

I look at my mother’s face for a long moment, and her mouth is pressed into a tight line. Her eyes are hard, flashing a silent warning. But I’m past caring. If I’m cutting ties, I might as well do a thorough job of it.

“She told me that if I didn’t come, she’d tell Dad that you’ve been disloyal to the pack and have you disowned, kicked out, and cut off,” I say, speaking slowly and clearly so they all hear every damning word.

Jason turns his head slowly, jaw tight and eyes narrow in a harsh glare. “Is that true, Mom?” he asks, no emotion in his voice.

She scoffs and shifts backward, taking a little step away from him. “Well, can you blame me? You’ve been going behind our backs for years, keeping Lydia away from me, from us.”

Wrong answer. Jason growls and looks away, fists shaking at his sides. I start to reach up to put a hand to his shoulder, but he steps away, not looking at any of us.

“Lydia!”

The shout from the front door draws everyone’s attention and I nearly sag in relief as Rhett comes limping down the stairs, a sob breaking free from my throat. I shove through my family to meet him a little ways up the path, letting him sling one arm around my shoulders so I can support his weight. He’s heavy, but I don’t care. He’s alive, and that’s all that matters.

“Where’s Caleb? We’re leaving,” he says lowly, speaking through gritted teeth.

“I don’t know. I texted him–”

As if on cue, pounding footsteps sound on the path leading toward the parking lot. Caleb comes into view a moment later, hardly winded at all, even as he skids to a stop. Sam and Adam are shouting questions, but I ignore them as I help Rhett move toward my bodyguard. Even in the low light, Rhett looks exceptionally pale. He needs a doctor or something. He’s fashioned a makeshift bandage, but it won’t last for long.

“Where do you think you’re going?” my mother shrieks from behind us.

“Away from you,” I reply shortly, relieved when Caleb takes over Rhett’s weight.

“Your father–”

“Omega, you will freeze this instant!”

My entire body locks up, the air in my lungs whooshing out of my chest as I flush ice cold, crashing hard to the ground, not even able to cry out as the skin of my knees splits at the impact. I look up to three, possibly four, figures moving toward us down the path. At the head of the group, I see the gleam of platinum blond hair.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

fifty-one

Lydia

Ibarelyhavethestrength to lift my head and watch as Samuel Anderson Sr. stalks forward, followed closely by Pastor Joe and Andrea, supporting a bloody and barely conscious Darren between them. Rhett tries to step in front of me, but only gasps in pain as it puts weight on his injured leg.

“You will tell me the truth of what happened tonight, Omega,” Samuel growls, the command sliding down my spine and making me shiver uncontrollably.

“You will do no such thing, Omega. Get behind me,” Rhett commands.

The dual sensations of my father’s bark and Rhett’s bark is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my life. The icy grip around my muscles seems to lessen, and I sag as I take gasping breaths. Warmth fills my chest, and with a shake of my head, I’m able to throw off the last of Samuel’s command to be still and speak. His eyes, so like mine, are wide as I scramble backwards and to my feet, tucking myself behind Rhett and Caleb.

“Just who the hell do you think you are, speaking over a prime alpha’s command of one of his pack?” Pastor Joe shouts, momentarily dropping his support of Darren’s arm to step forward and thrust an accusatory finger in Rhett’s direction.

“She’s not yours to command. Not anymore,” Rhett says, not looking away from Samuel.

“She’s my omega,” Samuel responds calmly, as if they are just discussing the weather.

“She’s your fucking daughter,” Rhett retorts hotly.

“Samuel, we have a deal. If you can’t bring her to heel–”

“I’m not a dog,” I snap, glaring around Rhett at Pastor Joe.

“You will speak when spoken to, Omega,” he spits, not even sparing me a glance.

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