Page 85 of Pack Rivals: Part Two
What is it I want?
Independence. A job I love. A chance to be myself.
Yes, all those things. But also, I want strong pairs of arms to hold me, warm lips to kiss me, people who love me, people I can love in return.
I still want that white picket fence. I still want a family. Only now it’s like that white fence has grown, magnified. No longer is it like a cage, encircling some little wooden house in Naw Creek. Now it circles an entire city and inside there I am with six alphas who I can’t shake from my mind and my heart no matter how hard I try.
I fold the note in half and slide it inside the cover of my book.
Karl would never have encouraged me to follow my dreams. He’d never believe I was capable of pursuing them.
But these other men, they do. They believe in me and maybe it’s about time I believe in myself too.
* * *
My dad insistson driving me in his truck the next day.
“I hate to break it to you, Cupcake,” he tells me with his head under Missy’s bonnet, “I don’t think there’s much more life left in the old girl.”
“Don’t say that,” I whine.
“It’s true. And I’m certainly not letting you drive alone to the city. What if she broke down?”
I don’t want to leave her behind. But I also have to admit that old Missy is becoming less and less efficient. How much longer could I ride around in her anyway? Especially if I’m applying to work in an ecological organization. Nope, it’s going to be buses, trains and my own pair of feet from now on, even if that means finally facing the music and purchasing a gun of my own. I’ve never wanted one before, but the whole kidnapping and constant threat to my safety has forced my hand.
My dad loads all my boxes once again into the cab of his truck and I go to hug my mom.
“You really do smell lovely, Bea. You must have all the alphas in the city running after you.” Since meeting Connor, she’s certainly changed her tune. In fact, the change seems to have come about after he told her how many properties he owned across the city. “And you will keep in touch, won’t you? Let me know all your news. Especially if you meet someone.”
I squeeze her tight but refuse to make any promises.
Then I’m ducking into the seat next to my dad and I’m leaving Naw Creek for a second time.
How long will I be away? I have no idea. But my shoulders feel lighter than the last time I left. My heart easier. Despite all that’s come to pass, all the turmoil and heartache, I know I’m stronger now. I’m more like the Bea I should always have been.
I ask my dad to drive the back way and he rolls down the windows and pumps up Bon Jovi on his stereo. The hottest part of summer has passed and the air, though warm, is less scorching than it was when I drove down these roads weeks ago. The corn in the fields is ready for harvesting, golden and tall, and the trees we race under heavy with fruit.
As we draw closer to that infamous gas station, I twist in my seat, wanting to catch sight of it. Soon, I spy it on the edge of the horizon and then as we draw nearer, the vehicles waiting by the pumps.
One vehicle. Silvery blue.
I smile.
“Do you think we could pull in here?” I ask my dad.
“Sure, Cupcake,” he says, indicating and swinging the truck off the road and next to the pumps.
Axel is there leaning against his car, arms crossed, dressed in one of those mouthwatering suits. As I open the truck door and jump down, he whips off his shades and tucks them into his pocket.
“Hey sweetheart,” he says, hesitating before bending down to kiss my cheek.
“You know this man?” my dad whispers in my ear as he comes to stand next to me.
“Yes, this is Axel York.”
“Axel Stormgate,” he corrects and I glance at him with puzzlement as he holds out his hand for my father to shake.
“Chuck,” my dad says, scrutinizing the alpha.
