Page 84 of Drown My Sorrow

Aspyn

Aspyn-Aged18

It’s my birthday. I close my eyes and think about my dad and Cassie. They would probably sing and dance if they were here. They were the extroverts, the kind of people who could turn a room full of people into a hive of laughter and joy. The memories aren’t fading, but I don’t think of them and hurt so bad anymore.

It’s a good thing, I think.

Mum is gone. I think she’s either at the bar drinking or working. Since the day she sold me out, our relationship has become strained.

When she does come home, she doesn’t mention my birthday, and I don’t remind her.

I just sit and read the newspaper and pretend like she isn’t here.

I pause, unable to believe what I’m reading.

Kelly Raines Pro Surfer? What?

I read the article, my hand shaking. He’s competing not far from where we are. He’s so close.

He’s a surfer?

If I could just see him again, I think I could be happy to walk away forever.

I’m careful when I take the page. I make sure she doesn’t see me do it, and I fold it up and put it in my keepsakes.

There’s a chance I might see him again.

I’ll take it.

PresentDay

I don’t want to see him again.

Kelly Raines is the last alpha on Earth I want to see again, yet Shale is whispering in my ear about Pack Raines being here, helping to find me.

I shake my head and bury my face in his chest. They hurt me. I want no part of them.

The heat flare started and fizzled. I am relieved, but I’m left wrung out and more emotional than I was before.

Keagan turns on a torch, and I open my eyes, turning my head just enough to see Kelly, Gael, and Ezy on their knees. They look distraught. Good, I hope the Daane kill them, well, maybe not kill but maim them!

The omega in me wants to soothe their pain. The rest of me wants to leave them to rot.

Kelly gets up and stumbles towards us. Beau gets between us and growls at him, but Kelly doesn’t try to get to me. He whispers something and points at the ground.

Beau swears, and I know it’s bad. I look down and finally notice we’re standing in an inch of water.

I let out a terrified shriek. Shale holds me tighter, refusing to let me go, even when I scream it.

“Stop!” Kelly shouts.

I shut my mouth and stare at him. Mutinously. With hatred. And loathing.

“Ezy, Gael, and I are surfers. We’re incredible in the water. It’s the only thing we’re good at. We make terrible alphas, do you agree?”

I nod. Of course, I fucking agree to that. Oh, god, get me out, get me out of here.

“We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”

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