Page 33

Three months is a long time to be separated from your day-to-day life. You establish new routines and habits, get used to different people and a new environment, and most of all, push the reality waiting for you at home to the background of your thoughts until it seems so far away you simply focus on what’s in front of you.

And that’s what I did. I focused on me , on the past that lurked like a cat ready to ambush my feet the second the lights turned off. The road to trauma recovery was anything but easy, yet here I am, feeling lighter than I think I have in my entire life. I’ve come to accept that what I experienced as a young child is not normal Omega or pack behavior. More than likely, my mother had some sort of undiagnosed medical or hormonal condition that set the chain of events into motion. Rather than seek help, my clueless fathers just tried to make her happy. As hard as it was for my practical brain to see, in their own way, they loved her and did what Alphas do best—cared for their Omega in the only way they knew how.

Unfortunately, I was the one component of the equation that was forgotten along the way, but I’ve slowly come to realize it wasn’t intentional. There was nothing I could’ve done or said to change the outcome. I was simply a casualty in their war against biology, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything inherently wrong with me, and it certainly doesn’t diminish my worth.

I. Am. Worthy.

It’s the first thing I think when I wake up and my last thought before I go to bed. A constant reminder that my value isn’t based on my past, but instead calculated here in the present. I’m a twenty-three-year-old with a successful job, amazing friends, and a future that’s looking brighter than it ever has. I’d say that makes me pretty damn priceless.

Of course, the worn piece of paper in my pocket serves as another reminder of that. A simple message from the men I couldn’t forget, even though I tried my damndest to do just that.

We’ll be here waiting.

My fingers brush against the note that no longer holds a trace of their scents but soothes me nonetheless. Walking off the jetway, I make my way through Chicago O’Hare airport, following the signs to baggage claim. My mind is a little overwhelmed, honestly. The noise and hustle is a complete one-eighty from the peace and solitude around the trauma center. As the escalator leads me to the lower level, I step off into the chaos of mid-afternoon arrivals and see the two people I’ve been missing with my whole chest.

Tears fill my eyes with every step toward West and Cadence, and I can already see the streaks running down their cheeks. The second I’m close enough, I’m tugged into their arms and held onto so tightly that I can barely breathe. It’s fucking heaven.

“We’re so glad you’re back,” West murmurs, squeezing me a little.

“There hasn’t been anyone to bust our lady balls or snipe at the guys for us. It’s been too damn quiet without you, Elle,” Cadie adds.

“I’m back now, and I’m not going anywhere.” I release them, swiping my tears off my face. “Though I guess that’s not exactly true.”

Cadie’s gray eyes go wide. “What the hell does that mean?”

“If you tell me you’re jetting off to some other faraway place and not taking us with you, I might just stuff you in my trunk and kidnap you until you change your mind.” West glares at me and crosses her arms over her chest, daring me to test her.

I grin. Yeah, smart ass Elliott hasn’t gone anywhere , thank fuck. “Guess who got the lead columnist position at the Sun Times ?”

They both shriek, pulling me right back in for another hug as they jump up and down. They’re practically strangling me, but I let them because their happiness gives my own dopamine a boost.

“Does that mean what I think it means?” West asks, pushing me back so she can stare into my eyes.

“It does. I have to report to the Sun Times office in exactly two weeks. They actually reached out to me two days ago after Asshat talked to a friend on my behalf.”

They gasp, and I just nod because it shocked the hell out of me too.

“And get this, they have this whole plan to use the old TheOmegasGuide and RideAnAlpha rivalry to jumpstart a new romance advice column that offers both an Omega’s and an Alpha’s take on love and lust. Imagine their surprise when I told them I knew them personally!”

“Elle, that’s amazing!” Cadence claps. “Bex and Arden are going to love that.”

“Who’s the Alpha writing with you?” West asks, suspicion clear in her tone.

“They’ve given me full creative control. I get to pick my co-writer…or writers. Whatever I feel is necessary to make the column a success.”

They share a look, and I let them think whatever they want. They’ll find out soon enough just what my plans are.

“Congratulations, Ellie Bellie.” West nudges me with her elbow. “Looks like you’ll definitely need our help this week now.”

I sigh, both exhaustion and excitement alive in my chest. “I’ve got just enough time to pack up my apartment, get the movers lined up, and close out my life in Chicago.”

There’s a small hitch in my chest at that last part. I’ll have to have a conversation with Sy to discuss what this means for us as a team. Will he want to stay on at CDN, or will he consider making the move with me to Arizona? And if he chooses the latter, where exactly does that leave us?

For three months, I talked to him nearly every day, but I forced myself to ignore any comments that weren’t strictly business. I needed to make sure that I wasn’t giving them false hope, that if and when I made a decision where they’re concerned, I did so with the knowledge that I’m one-hundred-percent ready for what they’re offering. I told myself that if I couldn’t be confident in that, it would be best if I walked away because they deserve an Omega who is as fully committed to them as they are to her.

“I’m so damn happy. Why am I crying?” Cadence pulls out a tissue and wipes her nose.

“It’s the pregnancy hormones,” I deadpan.

She snorts. “No, bitch. It’s the fact that we’re finally going to be reunited with our best friend. That means girls’ nights and dinners, holidays together, just like before.”

“I think you forgot crying babies and poopy diapers.”

Progress is being able to talk about those things without feeling hives break out along my skin. Oh, how far I’ve come.

West rolls her eyes. “We have Alphas for that.”

We all laugh as we walk over and grab my luggage. In minutes, we’re at West’s rental car, barreling down the I-90 toward my downtown penthouse. We talk about the two new friends I made, with the girls joking that I better not have replaced them—as if that could ever happen. I do want them all to meet each other, though. Maybe I’ll set that up when the girls finish their treatment. I openly discuss my therapy, including all the ways Dr. Craig helped me clear the baggage from my past so that I could finally move forward into my future. They have yet to utter a single word about the guys, but I have no misconceptions. It’s coming.

They manage to hold out until we’re in the elevator, the soft background music underscoring the moment.

“So…” West begins, shooting Cadie a look.

I see her reassuring nod out of the corner of my eye and barely manage to fight back my grin.

So predictable.

“I’m not sure if he told you, but Sy has been working remotely in Arizona the last month.”

Shock rushes through me, followed swiftly by relief and, admittedly, more than a little jealousy. I may be reformed, but I’m still a prickly bitch. Nothing can change that.

“He forgot to mention that,” I murmur.

The elevator dings, and the girls share another nervous glance as I let us into my apartment.

“He was miserable here without you,” Cadie adds quickly.

West nods. “Yeah, and obviously the guys weren’t handling your departure well.”

“Barrett says they were playing like shit during training camp, but he gave them a swift kick in the ass, and with Sy showing up just after, things basically fell back into place.”

Maybe they’ve moved on, the negative voice tries to convince me, but this time I’m prepared.

I am worthy of love. I am deserving of everything life has to offer me. I will not let fear or the toxic voices win.

“How’s the season going so far?” I ask as if I haven’t been following along during the first few games they’ve played.

“They’re undefeated,” West boasts proudly.

“And how’s Barrett settling into his new coaching role?”

Cadie smiles. “Believe it or not, I think he likes it better. Takes a little of the pressure off, so he can just enjoy the game he loves.”

I enjoy seeing my friends settle into their lives with men who adore them. Now, I just have to make my own happily ever after. The thought no longer seems so far-fetched as it once did.

The smell of my space brings back memories of all the good times I’ve spent here. Surprisingly, I’m not sad about leaving it behind. While it was a great place to camp out while I discovered who I was and where I was going, it’s never been home . There’s only one place that comes to mind when I think of that word.

When I turn around, my two best friends are eyeing me with unsure looks, tight shoulders, and wringing hands. They’re treating me with kid gloves, like they don’t want to push me too far.

Old me might’ve gotten worked up over that.

New me understands it’s only because they care.

“Elliott, the guys?—”

I hold up my hand, stopping West. “I know.”

The two share a confused look.

“You do?” Cadie asks.

I nod. “They sent care packages every week, and Sy never failed to remind me that they were waiting for me. It was obvious they were holding out hope that I’d come back to them.”

Their expressions fall, their scents going sour as if they’re anticipating the worst.

“So you’ve decided against that, I take it?” West’s solemn face stares back at me expectantly.

I let a slow grin curve my lips. “Actually, I have something I could use both of your help with. And just in case you were considering saying no, you can’t. I’m calling in all SinBin IOU’s for this one.”

West’s head tilts curiously. “Oh. This must be big, and you know I love me some crazy plans. Count me in.”

“I mean, I can’t let this one help you alone, or you’ll end up naked in public wearing a billboard sign announcing…” Her hand waves awkwardly through the air. “Whatever this plan of yours entails. Someone’s gotta be the responsible one here. I’m in.”

I snort. God, I love these girls.

I begin to outline said plan, watching their faces light up and tears spring to their eyes. If they make me cry during my grand gesture, so help me god, I’ll murder them both.