Haloby Beyonce starts to play and I get literal chills as the music settles over me.
As I sing every lyric, I give it my all. Emotions I didn’t know I could feel, crashing into me as I keep my eyes on my pack, passing my gaze between the three of them.
Years of hurt and pain from my past, no longer have the same effect on me and it’s all because of these three.
They all came into my life when I least expected it, but fuck, I’m glad things happened how they did.
And to think my closed off heart could have gotten in the way of having these amazing, loving, kind and a tad bit unhinged people in my life.
They’re perfect for me. I wouldn’t change a thing.
As soon as I’m done with my set, I make my way over to them. Atlas is on his feet in seconds, my face in his hands as he kisses me roughly. “You were amazing.” He kisses me again, making me moan. “I fucking love you.”
A needy whimper leaves me, loving those words from his mouth. When he’s done, I’m left breathless as he steps to the side, Willow taking his place. “I love you, Sweet Girl.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper, trying not to cry. I don’t cry damn it.
“Let’s go home and we can show you just how much we love you,” Atlas says.
Licking my lips, I nod, “Okay. But we need to talk about something first.”
“Woah.” Willow blows out a breath. “I don’t even know what to say.”
I just got done telling them about my time at Gideon’s mansion and how we escaped, how we built Widows Peak, and then the revenge we went back and got, just a few short months ago.
“I’m glad he’s fucking dead,” Jude seethes. “If not, we’d be going there right now to take them all out.”
“And I love that you would do that for me,” I smile, chewing on my lip. “Um, there’s more.”
“More?” Willow growls. “Who do we have to kill?”
“No one,” I smile sadly. “Because I already killed him.”
Her brows furrow. “What do you mean?”
“Being at Gideon’s mansion wasn’t the worst part of my past. At least there, no one was allowed to touch us.” My arms wrap around me, the fire in front of us crackling brightly.
When we came back to my place, we came outside and started a fire. We cuddled, ate some food and then when it came time for me to tell them everything, I moved over to one of the other chairs, needing to be able to see all of their faces when I spoke.
Now, I wish I had one of them holding me as I open old wounds.
“Briar, are you okay?” Jude’s soft voice has me snapping out of my head.
“Now, yeah,” I smile. “I’ve been okay for a long time now. But there was a point in my life where I felt as if I was living in hell. You see, my mother was a bad mom. She cared more about money, getting her fix, and sex. She’d pack up with any alphas who would look her way. And I was forced to come along for the ride. Eventually, she ended up sticking with one pack. A pack of men who were just disgusting.” My lip curls as I remember all the fucked up shit they would do, just for fun. The things they would say.
“And they had a son. Ryan,” I laugh with repulsion. “He was obsessed with me. They would all joke how I’d be Ryan’s omega, how we’d keep it in the family,” I shake my head. “I knew I had to get out of there, that if I were to become an omega while under that roof, I’d die in that house.”
“Briar.” Willow’s voice breaks.
I don’t say anything, keeping my eyes on the fire. It’s the only way I’ll be able to get through this.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t make it out of the house before that,” I laugh again, this time sadly. “And just because life wanted to fuck me over harder, I found out that not only was I an omega.” My eyes lift up to meet theirs, hoping they don’t hate me for this next part. “He was my scent match.”
“What?” Jude gasps.
“Fuck,” Atlas growls.
Willow’s brows furrow. “You saidwas.”
