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PAUL

I 'm buzzing with so much pent up angry energy that festers with guilt. I can't help but wonder if I hadn't verbally attacked Vincent in the hospital, would I still be left on the fringes right now?

I get it. I do. But nothing and no one is going to stop me from going after my daughter with them. Them being Amaya's four mates and Remy. Lucas is tagging along too in case Vincent needs help with bond stuff. From what I've heard, though, his experience is a lot different from Vincent's.

The two packs of Amaya's friends are sacrificing one alpha each to save my daughter. Anxiousness and pure terror radiates from the omegas watching the chaos around us.

Packs don't do well being separated from any of their mates, especially under duress.

Beckett's a few feet from me, practically vibrating with his brand of crazy. Fucker wants to go kick some asses, and I honestly can't blame the guy. He's Amaya's friend, but the urge to stick close to Kate, his omega, and his twin sister Freya keep him rooted to the spot. I'm sure it's taking a lot of effort to keep from tossing a suitcase in the back of Remy's truck.

The girls, Kate and Freya, are fidgeting beside Beckett with the other guys. I can't remember everyone’s names right now. That's a lie. I can't remember most of their names ever.

The omegas might be trembling, but their eyes are pure fire. They're proud of their mates for going out to save their friend. I'm so damn happy Amaya has a wonderful group of people who are looking out for her.

Even those damn mates of hers.

I might not know everything that went down between my kid and those three assholes from her childhood, but I know enough to realize they fucked up bad . Vincent deserves none of my ire. I just wish I would have drilled that into my head sooner.

If I'm to be a part of Amaya's life, these kids are going to be my sons in law. I wish I had some fucking friends to talk to about this shit with. How the hell am I supposed to be okay with them being with my little girl? Let alone touching her? Vomit .

Swiping the back of my hand over my mouth to rid the nasty thoughts from my mind, I step forward to toss my bag in Remy's truck. The alpha narrows his gaze on me and I already know I'm not going to appreciate whatever he thinks is great advice.

If he were ten years older, I might befriend the guy. This is why I don't have friends. I always find some kind of excuse not to get too close to people.

"Paul," Remy grunts with a jerk of his head, indicating I follow him over to the side.

"I'm coming with you," I declare, crossing my arms over my chest. No way in hell am I staying behind. She's my kid.

His eyes roll. "Obviously. But you're not driving with Luc and me.”

"Why not?" If it weren't illegal, I would punch the condescending eyebrow right off his face.

"You need to figure your shit out with them." He nods to Amaya's pack.

Vincent is staring hard at the ground while leaning against their black SUV. Oliver's running back and forth from their house to Amaya's, dragging bags and anything he thinks they will need. Emmett's doing something similar, but with Amaya's things. Samuel's glaring at them while barking orders to hurry up.

"Now's not the time," I grumble. I should be focusing on Amaya, not having heart to hearts with her mates.

Remy hums and rocks on his heels. "A five-hour drive sounds like the perfect time to work your shit out before Maya comes home."

"Don't call her that!" I snap and immediately regret it. Rubbing my hand through my hair, I sigh. "Sorry. She just doesn't like nicknames."

He frowns, but nods. I'm aware her mates call her that, but as far as I'm concerned, she only lets them do it.

"Alright," I concede.

Remy grins. "I'm right, huh?"

Scowling at him, I hike my bag over my shoulder and head for Sam's SUV. As much as I hate to admit it, Remy's right. Although, I'm not sure putting the five of us in an emotionally chaotic vehicle together is the right call, but the more I watch them freaking out, the more I think they might need me.

"Give me a gun."

I stop and gape at Vincent. The fuck did he just say?

"Absolutely not." Remy snorts and waves the alpha off.

Vincent doesn't take no for an answer, striding right past me and heading for Remy. "I'm serious, Remy. How am I supposed to save her if I don't have a weapon?"

"Yeah. I need one too," Samuel adds, following Vincent and crossing his arms over his chest.

Oliver and Emmett are still flittering about, making sure everything is ready to go and contemplating everything Amaya might need when we get to her.

Remy leans against the hatch of his truck and studies the two idiots demanding firearms. When he sees they're dead serious, he shakes his head. "Fuck no. Why would I ever give you a gun when you aren't trained to use one, and neither of you have a license to carry? Not to mention, Virginia Beach is crawling with innocents looking to have a good time. What happens if you accidentally shoot someone?"

I was shocked when they managed to pinpoint a general area off the direction of the tug Vincent feels. All Remy needed was a direction and match that with the information the OPS has gathered. Virginia Beach is the best bet.

"It won't be an accident, and they won't be innocent," Samuel snarls, fists bunched at his side.

Remy looks exasperated as he kicks off the truck and walks away. "No, Sam. No guns," he shouts over his shoulder.

The two alphas charge after him, Vincent grabbing Remy's shoulder and tugging him back around. The hairs on my arms stand up, seeing the possible throw down that's brewing.

"How are we supposed to help then?!" Vincent's voice cracks on an anguished growl that makes my heart cramp a little.

Remy narrows his gaze. "You are helping."

Vincent shakes his head, and I know he feels like he's not doing enough because it's the same way we all feel.

"What about me? Remy, man, come on." Samuel's practically begging. My heart goes out to him too. This is all so fucked.

"NO!" Remy snaps. "You have your weapon," he gestures to Vincent. "You're only job is to get us close to her. My team and I will handle the rest. Honestly, Vincent is the only one who should be coming with. You are not officers; you're a fucking hazard!"

I step forward to interfere when Samuel's face flushes an angry red, but Kate beats me to it with a soft touch to Remy's arm and soothing voice.

"Remy," she murmurs, tugging him away. My alpha hearing still picks up their conversation. "Hey. It's okay." Kate cradles Remy's cheek.

Like magic, his shoulders deflate, and he leans into her touch. "I can't give them guns, Kate. They'll get hurt or hurt someone else."

I can feel Sam and Vincent trying to control their obvious frustrations. This is what I mean by the upcoming car ride being emotionally charged. I’m not sure how Oliver is going to deal with four alphas losing their minds.

"You don't have to give them guns. But they are going. Nothing would have kept you from me, just like nothing would have kept Freya's pack from her either. Give them something, though. Please, Alpha. You know what they're feeling."

I watch in fascination as his forehead drops to hers. "Dammit, woman. Why do you always gotta be right?"

"A gift, I know," she teases, and I turn away before I witness their kiss.

Loneliness settles like a stone in my chest. Why have I isolated myself all these years?

"Alright, listen up!" Remy shouts, and everyone steps forward. "Lucas and I are riding together to meet up with my extraction team. There will be other units joining us on the way. Virginia Beach is a large place, and it's only a guess right now. Vincent, keep in constant contact in case the bond pulls you in different ways. Especially when we get close."

Samuel fidgets, drawing Remy's attention. "Sam, Oliver, Emmett, and Paul are riding with Vincent. Your jobs are to keep Vincent calm and focused. When we get there, you will not be rushing in with us. You'll stay back and be ready for your omega, because I have a feeling she's going to need you. Need you , not need you kicking asses and shooting people. Understood?"

Nods all around, but Sam still opens his mouth. Remy cuts him off. "I'll hand out knives, but that's it. You are to only use them in self defense. No fucking around like those jackasses." He hikes a thumb over to point at Freya's pack who all smirk.

"What'd they do?" Oliver wonders out loud.

"Tried to help without permission," their beta, Casey says, shifting on his feet.

Freya huffs a little laugh when Remy continues to glare. There's a story there, and one I might be interested in hearing later, but Amaya is my only focus.

"Everyone understand their assignment?"

"Sir, yes, sir!" Oliver shouts and runs for the SUV.

Time to go get my kid.