Page 134 of Claimed

“I’m in your debt. Truly. Anything you need. Ever,” I tell her.

She shakes her head. “You’re not in my debt. I think many of these people here all feel like they’re in yours though, sweetie. You’re a wonderful addition to our pack. Truly.”

I’m about to choke up again and I think she sees it. Her eyes bounce past me to Grey who puts his hands on my shoulders and squeezes before turning me around to lead me out of the building.

***

The Arcana Falls men are taking turns keeping watch. And another six betas are due to arrive in the next hour or two to lend extra help. Erica’s sister Danica is coming first thing in the morning to help out as well. She, too, is a healer and she’s got some magic supplies for Grey as well as a healing elixir she wants Cat to administer to everyone here.

“I’ll join you in a couple minutes,” Grey tells me after I’m inside the camper.

It’s compact with a small living area when you first walk in, a small kitchen space and dining booth in the middle, then there’s a small bathroom and the bedroom space on the other side. It has a double bed and small wardrobe. The suitcase I packed at Grey’s is sitting on the end of the bed.

I now realize how bone-tired I am.

Grey is outside talking to people for a few minutes, and the sound of his low, rumbling voice is what I’m focusing on now that I’m alone. Until I hear Jase cussing about his sister being stuck with my brother, talking about finding them and putting Wyatt to death even though it’ll make his sister a widow. Grey’s and Jase’s voices move away, and I strain to hear, but can’t.

This leaves me nothing to focus on as I lie here. And I wish I had something to focus on because I don’t want to let more of my emotions out. Falling apart again won’t help. It won’t bring anyone back. Suddenly, I hear noise. A vehicle and then multiple car doors opening and closing. Familiar scents hit my nose.

I rush outside and see women coming out of Brody’s SUV as well as a red pickup truck that’s parked beside it, driven in by one of the betas who went out for supplies earlier.

I run and collide with Addy, and we hug, bursting into tears.

She’s dressed in high heels, a body-hugging red dress with one broken strap, and there’s at least an inch of makeup on her face, covering up her freckles. Her auburn hair falls in ringlets to her shoulders. All the girls are dressed similarly.

And the reason why they’re dressed like this makes my gut churn, but more than anything I’m relieved they’re all here, that Brody found them.

“You’re okay?” I ask.

“You’re okay?” she asks at the exact same time and then we hug and cry some more.

Grey is beside us.

“Addy, this is Greyson Blackwood, he’s my-”

“Fated mate,” she whispers. “Hi,” she says, and her eyes quickly dart away.

“Good to meet you, Addy,” Grey says softly.

“Thanks, um… you, too,” she whispers, staring at her feet.

Misty is bawling so I grab her and hug her hard.

“It’s all gonna be okay,” I tell her.

I’m so, so angry. Misty’s body language tells me things about what she’s been through. She’s sixteen. I’d been protecting her for the past two years, reminding Wyatt how young she is even though she looks older. I feel like I failed her.

I add, “I’m so, so sorry for what you’ve been through.”

She nods, sniffling.

I hug Caroline next, and we don’t exchange words, but we don’t really need to. She’s got anger written all over her face and also trauma. She’s angry that she’s been put through this, she’s angry that the pack is going through this. Caroline has been angry for a long time, and I can relate.

I get hugs from all the other girls, except Jenny, because Jenny doesn’t wait her turn, instead she runs for her mom when Eloise rushes out.

Jenny dissolves into her mother’s arms and I can feel Grey’s ire and see the fury on Jase and Brody’s faces.

I turn to Addy and say, “I have some bad news. Aunt Shea…”

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