“Of course, you’re not a prisoner here,” the queen says without sarcasm. “I look forward to your televised statement.”
I give her a tight smile back and leave without saying anything else. No more promises, no more verbal daggers.There’s no point volleying threats back and forth. If Kellen wants to ruin his relationship with his parents, that’s a decision he can make and share with the rest of our pack. Until then, I’m making this decision for him.
Nolan follows close behind me. We leave a few beats ahead of Kellen and Elliot, long enough time for Nolan to ask, “What are we doing?”
“Leaving.”
Kellen and Elliot join us in the corridor, and together we walk toward the palace entrance. We’re outside at the car before anyone speaks. My alphas reach out for me and I fall into place between them all.
Elliot kisses the top of my head.
“Where are you going?” Kellen asks.
“Home.” I kiss him, and then Elliot while Nolan presses a reassuring hand to the small of my back. “Let’s let this current press nightmare die down, and give your parents some time to cool off. I have a festival performance to prepare for and this album to finish.”
Neither Kellen nor Elliot look happy about any amount of time spent apart.
Elliot squeezes my hand. “You don’t have to run from them. They can remove you from palace grounds, but not the city.”
I shake my head and meet Kellen’s blue, teary eyes. “I’m not willing to sacrifice your relationship with your parents for this pack. Take this time to talk to them, warm them up to the idea of this pack, and the very real love we have for each other. Let those conversations happennotwhile in the midst of PR chaos.”
Kellen smiles sadly. “You’re right.”
I smirk despite the tears in my own eyes. “Sometimes, every once in a while.”
“I’ll keep our girl safe,” Nolan says. “This isn’t goodbye.”
I nod in agreement. “You’re all in too far now to ever be rid of me, sorry to say.”
Elliot grins. “Good, there’s nowhere else we’d rather be than with you.”
Elliot’s hands cup my face. His thumbs brush over my cheekbones as he pulls me in. His lips press against mine—firm, possessive—the taste of mint lingering as he breaks away. My heart still hammers when Kellen steps forward and threads his fingers through my hair. His kiss is gentler but no less claiming.
When we part, Nolan’s hand settles at the small of my back, warm and steady as he guides me into the waiting car, the door clicking shut behind us like a period at the end of a sentence.
I try to remind myself this isn’t forever. This isn’t even goodbye.
This is a tactical retreat to let things and people cool down.
My heart feels cleaved in two anyway. Those two halves feel shattered when Raelynn calls.
Nolan’s driving but his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror. “Raelynn?”
I nod. “She’ll want to draw up endless plans.”
His lips form a slight frown. “You should pick up anyway.”
He’s not wrong.
I sigh and answer the call. “Hi, Raelynn.”
“Piper.” Her voice is weirdly calm considering the day’s events. “I assume you’ve seen the news?”
“Which headline? There’s like fifty.”
She clicks her tongue. “The one that outed you as an omega.”
“Yeah, the Palace did that one.”
