The alpha nods, his gaze drifting over the table in front of him. Thinking.
“Tristan?” He sits a little taller as if coming to a decision. “Will you take Beth into town today?”
The abrupt change in subject is jarring, making me frown. “You’re letting me go into town?” I cut in, not sure how that’s a punishment.Unless he plans to leave me there.
“Yes,” Killian says, before looking up at Jeremy. “We need to get Beth some clothes that actually fit.”
Jeremy eagerly nods, before giving me a very excited look.
“But…” Confusion twists in my belly. “But…” I try to gather my thoughts, trying not to believe this is a trick. “Why?” I ask, genuinely curious. “After everything I’ve done and said, why the hell would you take me into town or buy me clothes?”
“Because this isn’t a prison.” He plays on the words I said last night. “We’re a family, Beth. We all love and care for one another. We don’t hurt or control each other.”
Deep shame and regret twist in my gut, making me nauseous. “Please,” I beg, “just punish me already.”
Killian’s eyes go wide at my request, and Tristan snarls. While I can’t see Basil or Jeremy, I can feel their shock pulse in the air as well.
“I appreciate how understanding you’re being,” I say, trying to sound respectful, “but we can’t just ignore what I did. How I put you all in danger.” My fists curl as my emotions rise. “Please,” I whisper, trying not to cry, “just punish me, so I can feel better about this. Please.” Tears blur my vision, but I still hold Killian’s gaze, refusing to look away. I need him to know that I’m being serious.
“Beth,” Killian says my name as if devastated for me. I expected this reaction, but it’s still hard to hear the pain in his voice. “I hate what your family did to you.” Anger makes his mouth pull tight. “You shouldn’t need to be hurt to feel better about a mistake.”
I drop my head, making a few tears spill over. They run down my cheeks, then drip into my lap. “I can’t help it,” I mumble.
“It’s okay.” Jeremy sits in the chair next to me. “We’re all okay.” He wraps his loving arms around me, pulling me into his sweet lemon and sage aroma. I push my face into the crook of his neck, seeking more of that soothing scent.
“I’m sorry.” I sag against the beta. “Leaving in the middle of the night was really stupid.” I sniffle. “Someone could have been seriously hurt because of me.”
“But no one was hurt.” Killian’s voice isveryclose. I open my eyes to find him kneeling next to me. “Please,” he cups my cheek, “Don’t run off again.”
I nod, then wipe the tears off my face. “I won’t.”
Killian pushes out a long breath as his gaze drops to my necklace. I can’t tell if he believes me or not, but I refuse to ask. I don’t want to hear him say no.
“Let's get you dressed,” Jeremy changes the subject. The silence was clearly getting to him too. “We have an exciting day ahead of us,” he says to me with his usual vibrant smile.
“Do you want me to take the sedan or the truck?” Tristan asks our pack alpha.
I look between the pair, not sure what either one of those things are.
“Take the car,” Killian says. “I’ve got some errands to run. I need the truck.”
Excitement bursts in my chest, and I sit up tall. “A car?” I repeat. “I get to ride in a car?”
Killian smiles at my renewed energy. “You get to ride in a car.” He looks like he’s stifling a laugh, but I don’t care. I get to ride in a car!
“I’ve read books that have cars in them.” I squeeze my hands together, trying to contain my excitement. “The descriptions arealways weird and hard to picture. A box made of metal and glass with knobs and wheels. It’s impossible to imagine.”
Jeremy lets out a laugh as he squeezes the top of my leg. “Well, then.” He stands. “Let’s get you ready so you can see what a car is really like.”
A car islike nothing I could have imagined.
The sleek shape is nothing like a box. It’s much smoother and weirdly shiny with four doors and firm chairs. Jeremy calls them bucket seats. But the best part is how fast it goes. The whole thing rocks and pops up as we drive over the uneven road. We’re going so fast I feel like I’m flying.
“We’re here!” the beta says as Tristan turns down a dirt road.
I try to lean forward, but the belt across my chest holds me in place. “Look at all the people,” I gasp, watching alphas and betas stroll in front of the long row of buildings. Most are two stories, but a few look to be three or four. “This place is massive.” I angle my head up, staring at the rows of little windows.
“We should take her into one of the cities.” Jeremy giggles as he slips his hand over my long braid. I’m glad he sat in the back with me. I’ve had so many questions, and it’s easier to talk with him right here.
