Page 3

And Tracy had made it real clear I owed her for every meal, every item of clothing, every ounce ofgenerosityshe showed me.

Translation?

I worked like a dog in one ofherrestaurants, sometimes open to close, and I would begratefulfor it.

But today, all that changed

Tomorrow, I will be free.

Eighteen meant my freedom. I could finally leave. Walk out that door and never look back.

I just had to make it through one more night.

"Cindy!" Tracy's voice snapped through the old house, sharp as a whip. "Why aren't you downstairs yet?They will be here any minute!"

They.

The twins.

Drew and Anton. Her precious Alpha sons were finally visiting. The first time since she married Dad.

In all this time I'd never met them. The closest I'd ever come were those dismissive voices over the phone years ago.

And now, suddenly, they were coming.

AndIwas expected to smile and serve hors d'ouvres while pretending this wasn't the most twisted thing ever. Serving guests inmyhome like an unpaid servant.

I turned from the mirror, the necklace cool against my skin.

"Coming," I called back, smoothing down my thrifted dress as my eyes landed on my packed bag.

Just one more night.

Just a few more hours.

Then I'd be gone, and they could have each other.

I'd take my mother's necklace, my dad's memory, and the money I'd been saving in secret, and carve out a life of my own.

The music was already thumping by the time I reached the bottom of the stairs, something vaguely jazzy and definitely expensive.

Tracy didn't do anything by halves.

Except parenting, it seems.

The house had been transformed for the night. It has been turned into some kind of winter wonderland. According to the gossip running amongst the staff, she'd convinced—more like blackmailed—the twins into coming back for a party.

A celebration of the formal Pack paperwork for the twins being finalised.

They were yet to find their Omega but for a group of influential Alphas to settle on a formal pack was a big deal. And Tracy wanted to show offher boysalong with letting them meet a few single Omegas that would help her new political ambitions.

I tugged my jersey tighter over my arms. It wasn't cold, not really. In fact... it was the opposite. My skin felt too tight, my blood too warm. I swallowed and tried to shake it off.

Just jitters about finally meeting the twins and their pack mates.

And fear of being caught out in my escape plans.

Only one more night, I reminded myself.