Page 52 of Omega Scarred

Her expression hardens. "I can't," she says. "I don't...I don't have any love for your movement. You've hurt a lot of people I care for. But Jade loves the two of you, and I want her to be happy. Do you understand?"

I nod, understanding the complexity of her emotions. Jade's mom gives us a sad smile before handing Fallon the locket.

"Take care of her," she whispers, before turning and walking away.

Fallon and I burst out into the cool night air, gasping for breath. We're free, but the threat of Matthias Winslow still looms over us, and I can still hear the sound of all those screaming prisoners ringing out in my memory. I can tell Fallon is thinking the same thing as he pockets the locket.

"We'll come back one day," I tell him, determination filling my voice. "And we'll get everyone out of here and burn this fucking place to the ground."

"I know," he says, his eyes flickering up to meet mine. "We'll make sure that bastard pays for everything he's done."

I nod, feeling the weight of our mission on my shoulders. We have to take down the ACB, and we have to do it soon. But for now, we have a moment of peace under the stars, holding Jade's locket close to our hearts.

And soon, our pack will be together again.

29

Jade

Isitfacingthecity as we wait for Rafe and Fallon to come back to us.

I can't believe my mom agreed to take my call, let alone that she would actually help. But she did agree to talk to me...and she said she would get my men out of that horrible place.

My mother has a complicated relationship with the Enclave and the ACB. I think she would prefer they weren't fighting at all, that we could all just live in harmony--but that's not the reality of the world we live in. And when I told her I'm in love with the men my dad has captured, that they make me happy...

...I think that hurt a little, but it made her help.

Because when I lived in her house, I was never happy.

Hawk comes and sits next to me, interlacing his fingers with mine. We haven't done anything but kiss the one time--I'm still injured, and we've been too distracted to do anything other than that--

but just holding his hand gives me a sense of comfort.

"They'll come back," he says softly, his thumb grazing over my knuckles.

"I know," I say, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I'm just worried about what they're going through right now."

Hawk squeezes my hand reassuringly. "They're strong. They'll make it out of there."

I nod, but I can't shake the feeling of dread that's settled in my gut. I can only hope my mom is successful in her negotiations with the Enclave and that Rafe and Fallon will be back in my arms soon.

Just then, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see a text from my mom.

Got them. Headed your way.

Relief washes over me and I show Hawk the text.

"Is she coming with them?" he asks.

I shake my head. "Doubt it...but we'll see. I'm worried what my dad will do to her if she stays."

I text her back, chewing on my lip.

Be safe.

She doesn't respond. She probably never will.

As we wait for my men, I can't help but think about all the ways I've changed. Three years ago, I was trapped in my father's house, my mother only able to help a little, subject to years of abuse...

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