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Audrey’s too tired to match her sister’s energy. “We knew this the whole time, Mindy. And because it didn’t happen to us, we thought it made sense,” she mutters. “I didn’t know how bad the military camps were, either. Until…”
Mindy’s expression softens. “Until he told you,” she finishes.
Audrey nods. “They lied to us for so long, and the truth was rightthere, but I didn’t even appreciate it until a child was involved.” The ankle monitorbeepsagain, and she wants to cut her foot off. “I was ignorant. And now...I think this is what I deserve.”
“Don’t say that Audrey!” Mindy exclaims. “That’s ridiculous. I know you. You’re responsible, and caring, and smart, and—”
“Oh, I’m very aware I’m responsible,” Audrey scoffs, before she can stop herself. “I’ve had to be since we were kids.”
Mindy frown. “What do you mean?” she asks cautiously.
Now is not the time for this fight, but it’s possible there never will be a right time.
So, she finally speaks the truth that’s bubbled in her for years.
“You know, when mom and dad gave you all the attention? Remember that?” she snaps, putting her plate down on the coffee table. “When you were too busy with youroutburstsand your problems?"
Mindy’s face crumples. “I’m sorry—”
“You’ve been trying to act like mom to me since she died. And you need to stop. Juststop, Mindy, it’s too much.”
Her head hurts, her chest aches, but a weight is finally lifted.
But watching Mindy’s eyes fill with tears is heartbreaking, and she wants to take back what she said.
“I didn’t mean to,” her sister insists.
“I know you didn’t mean to, but it still happened,” Audrey says quietly. “It doesn’t change the fact that I was never a priority.”
Mindy wipes a tear away quickly. “How long have you been feeling like this?”
Audrey shakes her head and looks down at her hands. “I can’t remember for how long. But…” her voice trails off as a realization hits her. “That’s what made me want Julian. I was hisonlypriority.”
They’re both sniffling, Mindy more so than Audrey. “Julian was his name?” she asks through her tears.
Audrey nods. “He was intense and overwhelming. I only knew him for a short time, but I found out what he had to go through…” she puts her face in her hands. “And Pearl…Pearllovedhim,” her voice chokes up as she mentions her cat. “And now they’re both gone.”
Mindy pulls the throw blanket off the top of her couch and gently wraps it around Audrey’s shoulders. “I’m sorry,” she says. “For everything. I’ll never know what it’s like to be an Omega, and I can’t bring Mom back…but I’ll have your back as best I can. I know I’m still fucked up, but I’m going to continue to try with you.”
Audrey nods and wipes at her tears. “I know.”
“I’m so proud of you, too. I’m sorry all this is happening at once, but we’ll figure it out.”
They hug, and the tiniest bit of happiness returns to Audrey.
But Pearl and Julian are still missing, and the smile falls from her face.
CHAPTER 21
JULIAN
As an Alpha;he’s the best at everything.
Killer. Stalker. Hacker.
And now, he’s a shadow.
He followed his Omega at a distance, knowing that if someone was still after him, they would target her as well. He heard her screaming for her cat, her soured scent carried by the wind, and his heart broke.
