Page 4 of Pack Owned
Tonight, I swear, I’m not coming back. Mom will get a call once I’m behind the Facility’s walls, out of his reach.
The night air chills me, or maybe it’s because of what I’m planning. I don’t glance back as I make a break for it. Mom’s better off without me, without the weight of my presence. She could turn my room into a rental. I’ll pitch the idea to her when I call her.
Casey stands on the sidewalk, glued to her phone. She’s a touch early, as usual. Girl doesn’t believe in being tardy ever. I wouldn’t be surprised if her heat comes before all of us.
“Hey,” I breathe out, a half-greeting, half-sigh of relief.
“Where the hell are Danica and Jess?” she blurts, fingering her lush blonde mane over her shoulder. Thanks to her Hawaiian genes, her year-round light tan is still glowing and always makes me envious. She’s flaunting her flat abs in a cropped top and skin-tight leather pants, her belly button winking from her belly ring that I would love to have one just like it. Except that’d be playing dice with fate at home.
But then she doesn’t have anyone at home except her older brother. Her parents vanished when she was little, but Robert is the sweetest Beta ever and even gave me his ice cream once when I’d dropped mine.
The screech of a car horn snaps me back, and I fold my arms tight, trying to squash the jittery feeling crawling up my gut. Every white car that zips past has me picturing him at the wheel, on the hunt for his runaway stepkid.
Then, like a blonde comet, Danica’s charging our way, her hair a platinum banner in the night. She’s all rock star vibes in a zipped black halter and jeans that might as well be painted on, her heels dangling from her hand.
“You’re late,” Casey teases like she’s irritated, but we both know she’s anything but.
“Only by a few minutes,” Danica fires back, cheeks flush and eyes lit like she has stardust in them.
I can’t help but wonder if she’ll let that voice of hers loose tonight, the one that could’ve rocked stages if life hadn’t handed her grief instead of a mic. She has an amazing voice. I heard it once back when she had dreams of auditioning for The Song. Except her dad’s sudden death seems to have frozen her dreams of being a singer. I don’t bring it up because I know what it’s like to have a hollowness inside from a father dying, even if mine is a dull ache now.
“Girls, you both look amazing!” She hugs us. “But I feel so out of place compared to you both.” Her voice turns into a pout.
“Don’t be crazy. You look adorable and sexy as fuck.” I laugh and sling an arm around her, pressing down the raw nerves that never quite fade. “Anyway, tonight’s about escaping and getting drunk.”
“Umm, where’s Jess?” She wiggles from me, her gaze dancing around us, searching for the missing piece of our rule-breaking quartet.
Omega Foundations Academy was supposed to be this posh finishing school to churn out perfect Omegas—yeah, right. For us four, it turned into survival 101. We didn’t just learn the art of small talk and which fork to use for salad; we mastered the craft of sticking it to the man. The place was like a greenhouse for our tight-knit crew, sprouting bonds that went way deeper than group projects and study sessions.
I remember day one, stepping into the fray with a knot in my stomach, only to find Casey, Danica, and Jess ditching class behind the gym. We clicked instantly, recognizing the same mischievous spark in each other’s eyes. Our first act of rebellion? Swapping those stiff blazers for hoodies the second we were outof the headmistress’s hawk-like gaze. And trying cigarettes for the first time together.
Sure, our snack raids and rooftop heart-to-hearts always ended with us getting busted. But those moments? Golden. I shove those memories aside, though—they’re bittersweet. Right now, I need to concentrate on the game plan—stay out of my stepdad’s radar.
I can do this. I can fake the whole ‘nothing’s wrong’ act and keep the nightmares where they belong—in the dark.
I shiver but squash the chill creeping up my spine. Can’t let him see me crack. I’m not a scared kid; I’m the girl who’s got her act together—or at least, I’m damn good at pretending.
“She’s picking us up here, so she shouldn’t be long.” Casey’s attention is on her phone.
Headlights cut through the night as a brand-new beast of an SUV stops next to us. It’s all shiny, and even the tires are freaking polished. Wonder if my Alpha will be loaded like this?
The black-tinted window rolls down and Jess is in the driver’s seat with a grin a mile wide like she’s just snagged the last pair of designer shoes on sale.
“You gonna hop in, or are you window-shopping for trouble and waiting to get caught?” Her energy is all bubbles and mischief.
Despite everything, I laugh, snatching up the shotgun spot as Danica and Casey pile into the back.
“Does your mom know you took her car?” Casey asks, belting herself in her seatbelt.
Jess glances back at them, shaking her head and giggling, her black curls perfect. “Yeah, right, she’d kill me. But she’s drunk and won’t be awake until midday tomorrow, plus Dad’s out of the city this week for business stuff. We’re golden.”
My phone buzzes, and my stomach knots. I glance down and see it’s a text from Mom.
Everything alright, sweetie?
Shit. She must have come by my room to tell me good night and knocked on the door when I didn’t respond, and then tried the door to find it locked. I don’t answer. Let her think I’m sleeping.
“I’m free, bitches!” Jess howls, and the others mimic her. I join in, though I feel like I’m going to be sick. I have to escape tonight. Whatever it takes.
