Page 12 of Lavender and Lightning

“I love you,” I breathe, words coming out through my happy tears.

“Love isn’t enough, though, petal.”

Mywhole body goes cold and hot at the same time. Darren’s cruel smirksplitshis thin mouth, hismuddybrown eyes flashing with anger that freezes my blood and nearly stops my heart. I try to pull away, but his hand fists into my hair, cranking my head back painfully.

“Love isn’t enough to save you, my petal. You’re mine. Forever.”

My shoulder burns and throbs as his teeth sink into the flesh. I scream, trying to shove him away. But his arms are steel bands, wrapping tighter and tighter until I can’t breathe. Tobacco and clay and bitter almonds invade my senses, pushing out all other sounds and sensations. The blood runs down my chest, gushing and staining my clothes and skin.

I bolt upright, my skin soaked with sweat. I wipe at my face, wincing as my left arm tries to bend. Looking at the clock, I sigh as I realize that I’m only about an hour from when I’d planned to get up anyway. It’s still dark outside, but I’ll need all the time I can get.

I’m finally going back to work today. It’s been a little over a week since the accident, and there’s a big wedding on the schedule. Wila, my boss, had assured me she and her granddaughter Gabby can handle it, but I need to get my life back on track and do something. I’ve been at the pack house for the last few days, and I’ve barely had any time alone. If it isn’t Rhett hovering or Mateo fussing, it’s Lucas trying to distract me. Alexandra has been scarce, with her work schedule keeping her out of the house.

Things calmed down a little once I agreed to move out of my apartment, and Rhett took it upon himself to hire movers to pack things up and bring them here. I didn’t like the idea of yet more strangers touching my stuff, but the thought of going back into that building makes me break out in a cold sweat. I’ll just add the cost to my tab.

The cease fire ended abruptly last night following a check-up with my doctor, when I’d brought up going back to work. My omega nature has been working hard. Almost all the soreness is gone from my ribs, and only the worst of my bruises are left, and even those are fading to mottled blue-green. My arm needs another few weeks, but on the whole, I feel better every day. Despite this glowing report of my progress, Rhett still wants me to take another week off. Mateo had been no help, acknowledging that he agreed I could go back to work, but wanting to be cautious about what kind of strain I was putting on my body. We avoided an all-out shouting match only because Lucas put dinner on the table, and wisely, didn’t offer an opinion one way or the other.

Not fighting at the dinner table was basically beaten into me growing up, so I’d dropped the subject. Rhett, taking my silence as my agreement, also moved on, talking about new restoration contracts that could be on the horizon. Alexandra had come home in time to grab a plate and disappear into her office, not sticking around long enough for me to broach the subject with her. After dinner and dishes, Mateo put a baseball game on in the sitting room, and I curled into his side on the sectional. The boys started up a conversation, but I zoned out quickly, my annoyance reduced to a simmer. Rhett continued under the delusion that he’d won, even as I kissed him goodnight and went to bed.

Joke’s on him. I agreed to live with this pack, not be their prisoner.

So, I came up with the plan to just go and face the consequences later. It was better to ask for forgiveness than permission, anyway.

With it being a Saturday and most of the residents not being morning people on their days off, the house is still and quiet. I’m glad for the extra hour, as it is a bit of a struggle to get into my work clothes on my own. I opt for a plain white t-shirt rather than the button-down I usually wear to events, as there is no way I’d be able to fit my cast through the sleeve. But once my pants are on, and I slip into my shoes, I tiptoe up the stairs into the kitchen. As quietly as I can, I snoop through the cabinets until I find a travel coffee mug and the pods for their single-serve machine. I cringe at the noise it makes as it heats up, but I turn my back and go on the hunt again for the proper mix-ins.

“If you’re looking for the sugar, it’s above the stove.”

I yelp and whip around at the sound of Alexandra’s voice, breathing hard. She’s dressed in eggplant-colored trousers and a cream blouse, hair pulled back in a sleek low bun. Her lips are painted crimson, and one corner of her mouth pulls up in a knowing smirk. I swallow and nod, following her direction and finding the glass jar of sugar.

“You’re up early,” she comments, voice a little closer.

I look over my shoulder and find her leaning against the counter with the island between us. My face heats, but I try to keep my expression neutral.

“So are you,” I return, grateful that my voice is steadier than my hands.

“I’ve got a few early meetings. What has you up at this hour?” Alexandra asks, a little firmer.

The coffee maker dispenses into the travel mug, and I carefully spoon several scoops of sugar into the steaming cup as I try to think.

“I’m getting ready for work,” I say at last, settling on the truth and squaring my shoulders, readying for the fight.

I turn back to Alexandra to find her looking at me curiously. I carry my cup over to the island, stirring the contents before trying to screw on the lid. Alexandra watches me, and I’m even more embarrassed as I struggle. I do it without spilling, but the effort it takes is still frustrating.

“How did you plan on getting there?” Alexandra asks softly, drawing my attention back to her.

“Uber?” My voice lifts in a question.

Alexandra chuckles. “We don’t let rideshare drivers past the front gate, just for the record. So what’s your back-up plan?”

I clench my jaw, holding back my snarky retort. Of course, they wouldn’t let an Uber driver in here. They have a security guard, for fuck’s sake.

“Do you have everything you need?” she asks, interrupting my brooding.

I nod with a single jerk of my head, slumping a little. I can feel the lecture coming on.

“Then let’s go. If we leave now, we can beat traffic.”

My jaw goes slack as I stare at her with wide eyes and raised brows. She’s scrolling through something on her phone, not looking at me. When I’m silent for a long pause, she finally glances up expectantly.

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