“Absolutely.” I nod, then wait for the doctor to exit.
As soon as the room clears, I turn to find Autry standing right behind me, cradling her wrist again like she did when the cast was still there. Her cheeks are flushed, and there’s a tremble in her bottom lip despite the smile she forces.
“Shall we step outside?” I offer.
She nods a little too quickly, then ducks her head as shewalks past. Her lemony scent swirls around me, sweet and anxious.
We step onto the front lawn. The early morning air is crisp, but calm. Leaves rustle gently in the trees. Autry takes a deep breath, but it’s shallow, like she’s trying to convince herself she’s okay.
“I think it’s going to be a nice day,” I say, trying to keep things light.
“Hopefully not too cold,” she replies, smiling a little too brightly. Her eyes scan the yard, then the tree line, then the horizon, like she’s memorizing it. “It’s pretty here. Peaceful.” Her voice is steady, but her fingers fidget at her sides.
She’s trying so hard to look unbothered—but I see the way her chest rises faster than normal, how her jaw clenches, holding something back.
“Charlie?” she whispers. The breeze catches her hair and whips it around her face. “I’m going to miss you.” She glances up, her eyes searching mine with a raw kind of desperation. “A lot.”
I take her hands, brushing my thumbs across the back of them. Her skin is ice cold.
“I’ll miss you too,” I say softly, admiring the way the sun makes her brown hair flame copper red. It feels like I’m losing something precious. Something completely irreplaceable. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and she’s about to slip away. “I hope your new pack treats you like the treasure you are. You deserve to be happy.”
Autry opens her mouth to speak, then closes it. Her chest heaves once, and she forces out a shaky breath. Then, before I can even ask, she stands on tiptoes and kisses me.
It’s lightning-fast. And the moment she pulls back, her face crumples in panic.
“I’m sorry,” she blurts, cheeks turning red. “I-I shouldn’thave done that. I just—I’ve wanted to since I got here, and I thought if I didn’t do it now, I’d never—” Her laugh cracks halfway through. “It’s stupid. I’m being stupid.”
Her voice trembles, and she looks like she might cry. But still, she lifts her chin as if daring me to reject her.
“Autry,” I whisper, leaning in—but she steps back quickly.
“You don’t have to say anything.” She shakes her head, as if already prepared to be rejected. “I know you don’t…I mean, you’re just being nice. I get it. This was dumb. It was dumb, I’m sorry?—”
“I like you too.” I reach for her hand again, pulling her back to me.
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“I have adored you since the moment I saw you.” I need to shut up and let this sweet girl go. I’m making everything worse, but I can’t help myself. It’s like I’m compelled to tell her how I feel before she leaves me forever.
“Charlie…” she says my name like it’s a dream come true. And for a moment, we’re both standing on the front lawn, looking into each other's eyes as if seeing one another for the first time. Time stands still. Her shoulders finally relax, and for a brief moment, all the fear slips away.
I cup her face, thumb brushing her soft cheek. I want to kiss her properly—slow and certain. Something she’ll remember when she’s lying in a stranger’s bed, wondering what might’ve been.
But the front door creaks open behind us, and Autry startles, jerking back like she’s been shot. I quickly shove my hands into my pockets, then take two steps back.
Angelica steps outside, scanning the trees before turning her attention to Autry. “Are you ready to meet your new pack, omega?”
Autry freezes, and all the color drains from her face. Her lips tremble before she forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.
“Yes, ma’am,” she says. Her voice is steady, like it’s been practiced in the mirror.
This is it.
One short car ride, and this stunning omega will be out of my life forever.
I fucking hate this.
518 Fifth Avenue, Apt #2, Westbin
