“When he was asleep…” I avoid looking at her. “I ran.”
“Sabs, I’m coming over right now. Don’t go anywhere.” She points at me. “Kady and Faye are here with me, so we’ll all be there as soon as we can, okay? In the meantime, go to your nest. You need to be somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. Hang in there.”
“Hurry,” I croak before hanging up.
I draw my knees up to my chest tightly, like I’m trying to hold myself together, as I attempt to ignore how every cell in my body is begging for Adler, craving his closeness.
Suddenly, a text message comes through from Mom.
MOM
Catch up soon? Missing you, freckles.
A photo of my dads eating breakfast on the beach pops up with it. I see they’re all wearing the funny T-shirts I bought them for Christmas—“Biggest History Geek,” “Biggest Pain in the Ass,” and “Biggest Know-It-All,” making me feel even worse. I can practically smell the sea breeze and taste what looks like my mom’s famous apple butter pecan loaf through the screen before my joy turns bitter. The happy thoughts of my family, home, and familiar smells pale in significance to Adler and his sunshinescent that seems to have infiltrated my body, making every other scent memory feel lacking in comparison.
Fuck. I bury my face in my hands. My dads always say that I’m too impulsive and act without thinking. This will only confirm that they were right all along.
TEN
Adler
“Mmm.” I roll over, groaning as I inhale the delicious cherry scent that’s baked into my sheets and skin. Then I remember what happened last night.
It hits me harder than a puck to the face.
I jolt upright, eyes snapping open.Shit!My initial bliss morphs into rising panic. Next to me, the bed is surprisingly vacant. All that remains is an imprint in the mattress from where her body was curled up against mine.
“Sabs?” I jump up and head to the bathroom. Also empty. I scan the room for any trace of her, but there are no scattered clothes either. “Sabrina!”
I’m met with a lung-compressing silence.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I stumble, pulling on a pair of gray track pants before racing into the hall. “Sabrina?!”
My hoarse voice echoes back to me like a cruel taunt. Where is she? My heart thuds against my ribs like an angry drum, limbs driven by my desperate need to find her. My bonded mate is missing!
I race downstairs just as the front door opens. I inhale the familiar punch of sweet pineapple that mellows out to a deep, woodsy scent.
“I’m home!” Luca shouts as he steps inside, wearing a bright smile. He’s carrying a huge backpack, flipping his chin-length, wavy, tawny-colored hair out of his face. He’s been growing it out, and it suits him. He frowns when he sees me, instantly picking up on my mood. “What’s up? I thought you’d be pleased I’m home early.”
“I don’t care about your camping expedition,” I snap. Untamed worry claws at my throat like I’m being choked. “Did you see her? Was she outside when you came in?”
“See who? There’s no one else around.” He takes off his backpack, eyebrows lowering. “You know, Coach will kill you if you get caught using psychedelics again.”
“That was only one time.” A total accident and a not-so-funny prank by an ex-teammate. “Did you or did you not see an omega outside?”
“Oh… I see…” His lips curl into a mischievous grin. “A girl snuck out, huh? That’s unusual. Normally, you’re the one who throws them out after breakfast if they stick around.”
I clench my fists. “This isn’t funny, Luca!”
“Okay, now you’re officially weirding me out.” He must sense my seriousness. “What’s going on?”
“Move.” I shove past him to head outside. There’s no time to explain myself.
In the front yard, I call out into the wind, like I’m hoping she’ll miraculously fall from the sky like the angel she is. “Sabs?”
But I know she isn’t close. I canfeelit. I fall to my knees in the driveway, overcome by sheer helplessness. From this angle, I spot a scuff mark on the top of the gate, likely from a muddy sneaker. My heart plummets. Did she really climb over our gate? I’m not sure whether I’m more impressed by my omega’s show of strength or devastated that she wanted to get away from me so badly that she snuck out of here like it’s fucking Alcatraz.
I thought I said the right things to reassure her last night. I told her that I’d stand by her, that I’d do whatever it takes to make things work. Am I really that terrible of an alpha to make her run? Granted, I have a reputation, but I’m not a bad guy. Am I?
