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“Thanks, Simon. I’ll miss you,” I say softly and realise that it’s true. In the last four days, especially, I'm not sure I would have survived without him.
He sniffs loudly and lets me go. Yvette hugs me, too, but tighter, almost punching the air out of me.
“Be careful. Call me. I’m calling my friend Kandi and letting her know she needs to keep an eye on you.”
“I'll be fine.” I protest.
“Wait!!”
I turn and almost crash into the car as Moira and then Hazel slam into me. Moira sobs and buries her face into my shoulder.
“You call me. Anytime. Come stay when I get back,” Moira sobs. “No more sleeping on the streets, promise me.”
I laugh and disengage from her. “I will, of course, I will. We’re friends. No more sleeping on the streets,” I promise.
Hazel glowers at her brother and turns to me. “You keep an eye out, I'm sending you a present.”
“Hazel you don't have-”
“Yes! I do. Just accept it and be grateful.” She kisses my cheek and steps back. I peer up at the semi-circle of friends I've made and want to scream and rage at the injustice of it all.
“I’ll miss you guys.”
Over Hazel’s shoulder, Dylan is staring at me, stricken. I wait, letting the moment stretch out, giving him one last chance, but he keeps his mouth closed.
So, I force a smile and climb into the car, leaving my heart on the Silver Rocks Resort Driveway with the pack that I'm in love with.
thirty-two
Onyx
Silver whines at me for the entire three-hour drive back to the city. Sam, our chauffeur, drives us to where I’ve specified. As soon as we park in the carpark, my nerves rise. I wrap my arms around myself and force steady breaths in and out. Outside the car, the world is dreary and grey; the rain has just started to fall in fat, heavy drops. I thought it would be easier with distance, but no, I’m lost without them.
“Onyx?” Silver pleads. She reaches for my arm and tugs at me. “Why are we here? Where are we?”
“Silver. I'm sorry that it had to come to this.” My voice sounds cold. I need to be cold to do this, she’s all I have left, and the temptation to keep familiar around me is strong. But I have to do the right thing for both of us.
My self-centered sister looks around and spots the Silver Falls Omega Refuge. My twin who ruined my life finally realises how far we’ve fallen. “No! No! Onyx, no!”
“Silver,” I say loudly, cutting off her shouts. “You have ensured that I won’t get a job where I can work enough for both of us. You sabotaged not just my chances but your own with this greed, this feeling that you deserve more than what you’re offered, but the fact is, you are a spoiled brat.” I don’t have any emotions left in me. I'm numb.
I look out the window. The rain has begun to pour. Great, a fitting homecoming. I left here thinking I could change my life. It seemed so long ago.
“You really fucked things up this time, Silver,” I murmur.
“No, I didn’t. I just need to go back and explain,” Silver shouts. “Just let me go back. I can explain. I can fix it. I promise. I can get your job back.”
“They chose him. He’s their scent match,” I say absently. “They think I was going to hurt him,” I snap and finally turn to face her. “I loved him, Silver, and never, ever would have taken them from Dylan.”
She scoffs. “He’s male.”
“He’s their scent match. You don't know them, you don't like them, you just wanted to be rich and powerful. Well, you failed. So, here are your options. This car is going to let you out here, and you can walk into that center, and they can find you a pack. They have options where you can stay there, work for them in exchange for their help. Or you can get out here and go find a job and take your chances.”
“But I can’t. I'm an omega.”
“I'm aware. But there’s nothing I can do. I can’t afford your suppressants. I can’t afford rent. I've just lost all my references. This is it, Silver. The end of the road.”
She stares at me and looks back at the white building. “What if you go back and fix things with them?”
