We won't stop fighting.
The marina is behind us, and I'm driving us out toward the open sea. I have a home to go back to now, with the people I love. We didn't get Kendra back this time, but we're going to rescue her, and we're going to make Solstice Bay a better place for all omegas.
I'm finally home.
28
Olivia
ThewholeRaftiswaiting for us when we get back.
We didn't rescue Kendra--that was never an option, not tonight--but we did something else.
We killed Eduardo Cruz.
The head of the ACB...and enemy number one for the Enclave.
I support Phoenix on one side and Liam supports him on the other as we disembark from our boat, the other boats behind us. The salty air fills my lungs as I step onto the shore, my heart racing with adrenaline. Killing my father was a necessary evil, a sacrifice that had to be made for the greater good of our community. But the victory is bittersweet, knowing that Kendra is still out there, alone and vulnerable.
"We're going to get her back," Mercer murmurs to me like he's reading my thoughts.
I nod. "I know."
As we walk towards the main deck, I can see the tension in the air. The ACB, and we have to be ready for whatever they throw at us. I scan the faces of my fellow survivors, searching for any signs of doubt or fear. But all I see is determination and resolve, a fierce resilience and a commitment to protecting our own. I catch snippets of their conversation as we pass, people looking at us in awe.
"Did you hear about Cruz? They got him."
"Good riddance. We'll show those motherfuckers what we're made of."
"It's finally happening!"
I can hear others coming up after us--Jade, Fallon, and Hawk among them. And then a big voice booms from behind us, footsteps stalking toward us.
"This man is a goddamn hero!" Rafe says from behind us, gesturing at Phoenix. "Is somebody going to get him some help?"
The crowd converges on my pack, their eyes wide. "It was you? Who pulled the trigger?"
Liam reaches out and grabs my hand, and before I can stop him, he tugs my fist into the air. "This girl right here. A goddamnomega!"
The cheers are so loud that they make my ears ring, and it shakes me. I start trembling and I can't stop, and Mercer bats Liam's hand away.
"Fuck, dude, he was her dad..." Mercer mutters.
Liam's eyes widen. "Shit...I'm sorry, Liv. I didn't mean to--"
"That's okay," I tell him. "I think I just need some time to adjust, and..."
"Clear the way!" Rafe bellows. "We need to get down to the med bay!"
I follow the crowd as they part, making way for Rafe and the rest of Phoenix's pack as they hurry towards the med bay. Liam and Mercer flank me, their eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble. I can feel the weight of the gun in my pocket, a constant reminder of what I had to do to protect my family and the Enclave.
And even now...I didn't save Kendra.
As we reach the med bay, I take a deep breath and step inside. The bright lights and the smell of antiseptic wash over me, and I can hear the sound of medical equipment beeping in the background. Phoenix is brought over and laid down on a gurney, his shirt soaked with blood, his face pale and drawn. His eyes flicker open as I take his hand, and a weak smile curves his lips.
"We did it," he says, his voice barely above a whisper. "We took down Cruz."
I nod, my throat tight with emotion. "We did."