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As expected, I don’t recognize the number, but it isn’t an automated message.
“Something?” Alessandro asks, prodding me to keep talking, but I barely hear him.
My attention is focused on the unopened message, and when I click on it, the only thing I can do is stare down at the words on the screen.
Heard you’re staying in Brookesville, Jessy. We’ll be seeing you soon.
Jessy.
My chest squeezes painfully as my eyes laser in on the nickname I’d rather forget. It’s the one my old pack used to use. It’s what they called me whenever they apologized, what they called me when they wanted me to forget the vicious things they did, or when they wanted to ask me for another favor.
My eyes crawl back up to the number, and, looking at it a second time, it dawns on me that I do recognize it. It’s Derrick’s.
Derrick texted me.
I’m going to be sick.
The car spins, and the edges of my vision darken the longer I stare at the message. Alessandro says something, but it’s muffled, and I can’t make out the words.
I’m stricken, frozen by an utter terror that’s wrapped its way around my heart.
I can’t breathe as memories flood back, from the day I finally managed to break our bond to the day I saw them at the mall. Their words, the bruises, the pain… Everything rushes back in a blur, and my heart lurches painfully.
In an instant, I’m reminded of all the reasons to keep my identity a secret. It isn’t about keeping the truth from Alessandro; no, it’s about keeping myself safe from the alphas who ruined my life.
The alphas who ruinedme.
“Jessa,” Alessandro says, sternly enough that it breaks through my foggy thoughts, and I look up from the screen. “What’s wrong?”
I glance over, studying his profile as he focuses straight ahead, and any conviction I’d had to tell him the truth, to tell him I’m an omega, dissolves in an instant.
Courage succumbs to fear, and I’m the terrified girl who begged for escape, to get away from the alphas who ruled her life. I’m panicking, struggling to keep my erratic breathing under control while my heart gallops away in my chest.
No, I can’t tell him about my designation.
Knowing I’m an omega will only give him power over me, more than he already has. Despite how amazing he’s been so far, it doesn’t mean he’ll stay that way forever.
“I…” My voice sounds distant to my own ears. “I don’t feel well. Do you mind if I roll down the window for some fresh air?”
His brows furrow worriedly, his lips drawing tightly together. “Of course not. Do you think it’s from all the driving? We can park and–”
“No, it’s not,” I assure him. “I just have a bit of a headache. I’m fine, really.”
He doesn’t seem convinced, but he doesn’t argue and lets me crack the window. If I perfume before we make it home, hopefully the window will help aerate the car enough that he won’t notice.
It was faint before, so maybe it’ll be just as faint if it happens again.
But if it’s stronger this time… I’d rather not think about that possibility.
I lean back and close my eyes, feeling awful. In a matter of seconds, everything changed. I went from wanting to tell Alessandro the truth, to being reminded why it’s impossible.
If this is the universe’s sign that Alessandro and I shouldn’t be together, it’s pretty fucking convincing, I’ll give it that.
When we get home, I’ll double up on my scent blocker and leave.
Staying anywhere near Alessandro tonight when the suppressant isn’t foolproof is just asking for trouble, and being away will give me the opportunity to clear my head.
It’ll give me the chance to consider my options, and hopefully, it’ll help me figure out what the fuck I’m going to do.
