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Barb kept up a steady, one-sided conversation about how the storm had shut down the park. Everyone in the valley still had power, so she was sure my house would be okay. There had been some flooding near creeks and streams, but nothing major. She’d get a drone up tomorrow to figure out the extent of the landslide.
A shiver went through me as I drove. Hearing the slide had been terrifying enough. The roar of it, the sickening sounds of trees and rocks being dislodged.But when Ben and Griffin had both paled, I’d known Michael was out there, in danger. Helplessness and fear had brought me to my knees.
I was so grateful for their pack bond. They were able to tell me he was okay. But they also said he was hurt. It was all I could do to stay calm.
We’d been gathering first aid supplies, preparing to go find him, when Barb and our rescuers showed up.
Her eyes had gone wide when she saw me, shocked I was there. It would have been funny if it wasn’t so mortifying. I had to think fast. The truth wasn’t an option.
Yeah, so I’m an omega. I got stuck here with an alpha pack and had my heat, and they took turns railing me for two days straight.
Um, nope.
I’d given her a vague story about meeting Ben to assist with his research and then getting stuck at the cabin because of the storm. I didn’t mention his fall in the creek, or any other details. The whole conversation had been rushed anyway, for good reason. Michael needed help as soon as possible.
Had I done the right thing in leaving? It felt wrong now. I’d looked from the mattresses on the floor, to Barb’s confused face, and I had to bolt. It was about more than just protecting my private life, though.
I said I’d only slow everyone down if I went withthem to find Michael, and that was true. But really, I knew that if I saw him injured, I’d lose it. I wouldn’t have been any use to them at all.
My headlights glinted against something metal on the side of the road, and I realized I was driving past Ben’s truck. It was still parked where I found him by the creek. A physical ache started in my chest, but I drove on. The distance between me and the guys stretched farther and farther. It was a huge effort not to cry.
I was tethered to all of them, and Michael was hurt. Unease crawled through me, making me feel ill.
Wrong.
I’d told Griffin I could be a bitch. Was I trying to prove it?Fuck.
“Tracy? Did you hear me?”
I struggled to give Barb my attention as I approached the intersection with the main road. There wasn’t as much snow down here, and the pavement was cleared. I pulled onto the smooth roadway and headed toward her house, which was near mine.
“Sorry. What did you say?”
Barb was silent, and I glanced at her for a second. She was only a little older than me, a beta. Married and settled. Her face was pensive.
“I said that Pete cleared all the snow away from the staff houses, so you should be fine getting inside.” She paused. “I can tell something happened up there with those alphas. Are you okay?”
The way she said it, I knew she was ready to cut their dicks off if I told her they’d hurt me. I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a good thing she was on my side.
“I’m fine. They’re good guys, I swear.”
She breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I hope that guy Michael is okay.”
“Me too.”
I wondered if he’d even want to see me, after I basically ran from them. My instinct was to drop Barb at her house and then go directly to the hospital. But what if I got turned away? They’d made their feelings pretty clear when we were trapped together in the cabin, but what if it was just the situation? What if it wasn’t real?
No. I needed to give them some space. I needed to give myself space.
I waited until I was finally alone, standing in my quiet, empty house, before letting the tears fall.
“Tracy! It’s been a long time. Good to hear from you.”
Kat sounded happy, as usual. I’d been about to call Ben, but at the last minute, I’d dialed her number instead. I couldn’t sleep after getting home, and it was probably a little too early in the morning, so I was glad I hadn’t woken her.
“Yeah. I know it’s been a while. I hope it’s not too early to chat?”
“Not too early. I’ve got my coffee, I’m good. What’s up?”
