AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Beth.” Aubrey’s voice joins the chatter. “Is there any way you would be willing to drive Willow and fly back? We’ll pay for your ticket.”
My heart clenches, and more tears spill at her offer. Knowing they care so much about me has my heart in knots. I want to ask them to come with me, to be there for me, but I can’t. Not yet. Not while I’m in this frame of mind.
Right now, I need to get back home and make sure my brother is okay. Then I can address everything else.
“Of course. I want Willow to be safe.”
My mind is on Wesley. Memories of how we would sneak out of the house to go to the pond down the street from our house and catch frogs, laughing as they jumped around.
A sob breaks free, and I feel a pair of strong arms wrapping around me. I turn around and snuggle into Nash’s embrace. Taking deep breaths of his oatmeal chocolate chip cookie scent settles me a little bit. “Shhh, baby, I got you,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.
I cry harder, letting him hold me through it. This pack, they care so much about me. They deserve better than me. But I can’t bring myself to push them away. I don’t want to. I want them.
“Tell me what you need?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble against his chest. “I just need to see that he’s okay with my own eyes. After that, I’ll be fine.”
“Beth is going to drive you home in your car and fly back, so you can drive back when you're ready. I want you to keep us updated, okay? It’s driving me crazy knowing I can’t be there with you, to care for you.”
“I will.” I nod.
“How long do you think you're going to be gone?”
“I don’t know.” Nash brushes the tears from my cheek, his touch warming me from the inside out.
“Your heat is soon, Willow.” His eyes flick between mine.
“I know,” I whisper. “As much as I don’t like the idea, if I have to, I have toys at home I can use. It’s going to suck, but I’ll handle it on my own.”
He growls, making me shiver. “I don’t like that.”
“I know. But I need to go home, Nash. I need to make sure my brother is okay. What if this is the last time I can see him?” I choke out.
“Don’t think like that, baby.” He kisses my forehead. “He’s going to be okay. We just have to believe that.”
I nod, and he takes my bag, slinging it over his shoulder. Ledger tucks me under his arm, kissing the top of my head. He doesn’t say anything, just being there for me as we all walk in silence to the gate. Beth is waiting there in the cart to take me to the campus parking lot where my car is.
Nash puts my bag in the back, and Ledger pulls me into a hug. “We’re here for you, Blowpop. No matter what, okay?”
“Okay.” I give him a weak smile. Closing my eyes, he kisses me on the forehead.
Nash pulls me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tight. “I’m gonna miss you, baby.”
“I’m gonna miss you too.”
Aubrey is next, and my heart hurts to see tears in her eyes. “I know now is not the time, but I want you to know… In my heart, you're ours. We’ll take whatever you're willing to give us, but know this, Willow, we are here for you, by your side, even if it’s only in spirit. You're ours until you tell us otherwise.” She cups my face and brings me in for a kiss. I whimper, not in need, but in sorrow from being away from them. Because they are my pack, I feel it in my heart, but I’m still not in the right headspace just yet.
The ride back home feels like it takes days, even though it’s only a few hours. Thankfully, I fall asleep, helping to pass the time.
Beth and I don’t talk. I don’t want to, and she understands that.
When we finally get to my parents’ home, we just sit in the car. The lights are off in the house, and none of the cars are here. “I don’t know what to do now?” I look over at Beth. “I need to call my mom.” Beth nods, and I get my cell out to call her.
She tells me that my dads have booked a hotel near the hospital, so they are right next door in case they’re needed, but she’s staying in my brother’s room for the night. Visiting hours are over, so she told me to stay home and to come by in the morning.
I wanted to go and stay with my dads, but the hotel they’re in isn’t the best for an omega, and Mom said it would be safest to stay home.
Beth comes in with me, helping to get me settled before we say our goodbyes, and she catches a cab for the airport. She offers to stay the night, but I just want to be alone.
