Page 171 of Party Girl: How a Naughty Omega Finds Love
“I don’t know much about… things.”
She tries not to laugh. “Well, I think you’ll do just fine with… things,” she whispers the last word, making me chuckle.
“If you say so.”
“I know so.” She holds out her hand for me to shake. “Ready to fuck shit up?”
“I don’t know if this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me or the worst,” I admit, placing my hand in hers.
“Definitely the best.”
* * *
The ocean is not the first thing we do with our newfound freedom. The day after I meet with Reagan, the guys come with me to the bank. It’s been so long since Granny died and so much has happened, but as soon as I step foot inside the building, all of that grief resurfaces. The manager opens the safety deposit room for me, and the guys wait in the lobby, giving me space to see whatever it is Granny left me but staying close enough I feel secure.
There’s no reason to worry anymore, but we have yet to relax and live like a normal pack. Number one-hundred-thirty-six is near the bottom of the column of drawers. The key is heavy in my hand as I slip it into the keyhole. Sucking in a deep breath, I unlock the door and grab the small metal box and take it to the table in the middle of the room. A quick glance around proves there are no cameras in this space and that the manager is waiting outside as promised. Total privacy.
Flipping the lid open, I scan the contents. A few pictures of us. A key on a keychain. Some flower seeds—who knows how old they are—and an envelope. I grab that first and pull out a few pages of folded paper. Granny’s handwriting is instantly recognizable and a small, sad smile tugs at my lips when I see my name at the top of the first page.
Whitney,
By now I’m probably long gone. I want you to know that I love you with all my heart and those afternoons we spent in the garden together were some of my happiest days. I left you some seeds to plant your own, though they may not be any good by the time you get them in the ground. It’s the thought that counts, right?
I’m honestly not quite sure how to go about bringing this up, and I’m ashamed I’m too much of a coward to tell you now before I die. I’m not sure exactly what goes on in the house with you and your mother, but I have a feeling it’s not good. Perhaps she’s too harsh or overly critical, whatever the case, I see you hurting, and for that, I want to apologize.
Your mother’s heart was broken before you were born, and your fathers never fixed that wound. I had hoped they would, with time, but it seems as the years passed, it festered and turned your mother into the woman she is today. Sometimes I don’t even recognize her, but her anger is my fault.
She fell in love with a beta. Even managed to mate with him before I found out what was going on. I reported it to the Omega Council, hoping it would save the both of them… that was a mistake. Your mother was matched with her pack and the beta ended up killing himself. Your mother was never the same.
I’m not telling you this to convince you to forgive her, only you can decide if she deserves that. You may never forgive her and that’s okay. I’m only writing to let you know that in every story there is a villain, and I am your mother’s.
The deed to the house is in your name. I’ve left you everything I own, which isn’t a lot, but you deserve all of it and more.
I’m sorry for everything I’ve done and everything I didn’t do.
Love, Granny
Sucking in a sharp breath, I drop the papers into the box and grip the edge of the table. She knew something was wrong? All this time I was convinced she didn’t see it, but she did. Obviously, she didn’t know the extent of how bad Mother had gotten. She should have asked. Maybe she was afraid to know. I scowl at the safety deposit box, blaming it for my sudden burst of anger instead of Granny. It doesn’t feel right to be pissed at her, but I am.
I pick up the letter and read it again. Granny made a mistake. I can forgive her for that. My mother though? She made the choice, over and over. She never tried to change. She never cared. I can’t forgive her. I won’t. To the best of my abilities, I’ll work to heal my inner child. I’ll give myself everything my mother should have given me.
Granny’s house is smaller than the pack’s, but it could serve as a rental. We could save money. Go on trips. Enjoy our lives rather than just living them. I take the pictures, the deed, the key, and the keychain. I drop the letter and the flower seeds into the trash.
I’ll start fresh and plant my own garden.
Quietly closing the box, I slide it back into place and lock the door. I glance at the trashcan, debating on whether or not I should keep the letter. Words are cheap. It hurts to know at the end of the day, all Granny could give me were words. They didn’t change what happened and it doesn’t excuse her willful ignorance. Granny meant the world to me for so long, but now my world has changed.
I’ve found… a part of myself I didn’t know existed. I crave hugs. I long for kisses, and I cherish the sweet caresses my mates give me. I’m not afraid of love anymore.
Exiting the room, I hand the key to the manager and sign the paperwork to close the box. I meet the guys in the lobby and they all turn to look at me.
“Ready to go home?” Hayden asks, gaze flicking to the things in my hands.
“Never been more ready,” I confess. “Take me home.”
