Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
Vivian
The vibrations in my veins forced me to sneak away from the other three guys and Trent.
After Kade found Trent’s truck, I barely lasted more than thirty seconds from the time the four of us jumped out of our vehicle and descended on Trent.
I knew where to find Riot, and judging by the blood thirst in the bond that he wasn't hiding, I knew what I would find.
It didn’t matter that my mates were chasing me and demanding I come back—the need to see this through with Riot was more important. This was the end of our story. He was closing the final chapter on our hell. For me. For us.
If I were in a different mindset without adrenaline driving me to watch my alpha murder someone and my feral gene riding me, I would cry. Instead, in the mouth of the dark alley as I watch Riot slice the monster's neck open, I smile.
An arc of sparkly red sprays through the air, drawing me in and pulling a pleased hum from my chest. I heard every word my alpha said to the man who orchestrated our torment. Damn fucking right we're the strongest.
You've been defeated by an omega. Even though you had me in tatters, you were never going to break her. Omegas are the strongest of us all.
I may never have thought that about myself, but I sure as shit have believed it about the rest of us. Now, with everything that has happened and the things I've survived, I believe Riot's words. I believe in myself.
There's a small voice in the back of my head that tells me I shouldn't be enjoying this, and definitely not thinking Riot looks hot as fuck covered in blood. It doesn't matter. Standing over the body of a demon who has hurt so many people, Riot looks like an avenging angel.
"Vivian?"
The sound of his voice sends me running. He probably thinks I'll bolt in the opposite direction, but I would never. Sprinting toward him, I jump over the dead man and into my mate's arms, forcing him back a few steps.
My voice is caught in my chest, but there are plenty of other ways to show him my appreciation and love. With my arms around his neck, I pull down the black mask that covers his nose and mouth, then press my lips to his.
The sound of his knife clattering to the ground bounces around in my mind. It's a call to the scarred parts of my psyche that it's over. I may not know the details about the investigation, but the leader who ran the specific group that hurt us, held the control, is dead.
Digging his hands into my hair, Riot plunders my mouth like a man starved. It feels like a celebration and relief mixed into one kinky, slightly gross, all-consuming kiss. "Firefly, you shouldn't be here," Riot whispers, pulling back much to my displeasure.
One blue eye, one gold, study my features with a nervousness I expected. It's not every day your omega watches you kill someone, I suppose. My feral omega pushes forward a bit, needing to show my alpha that I'm okay. I'm better than okay. A chill pricks my canines as a smile lets them free.
"Oh, I see," Riot growls with a grin of his own. "You're full of surprises, dirty girl."
Suddenly there's a flash of movement beside us, startling a deep growl from my chest. I cling to Riot and bare my teeth at the threat, only for a sharp spank to land on my ass.
"You're in so much trouble, Omega," Kade snarls. My breath hitches when his arm bands around my breasts and his chest presses into my back.
"Kade—" Riot starts, but our pack alpha cuts him off.
"No. You're in trouble too. I should have known why you wanted Trent's phone number. Let's fucking go."
Kade's warmth disappears, allowing a small amount of emptiness to expand in my heart. I knew he would be mad when I ran, but the dominance in the bond worries me a bit. Not for my safety, but because I feel bad for scaring him so badly.
Riot walks us out of the alley without a word, and when I watch over his shoulder, I realize someone took the body and knife away. Gone is that era. The entire walk back to the vehicles is silent, and I feel more than see my pack’s eyes on me as Riot continues to hold me.
"I need to talk to Trent, okay?" Riot murmurs in my ear and bends to set me down once we're tucked behind the line of our trucks. "Give me a minute, please."
I don't want him farther than an inch away from me, but I let him go. When Jarek, Silas, and Kade descend on me and try to pull me toward our truck, I refuse to budge. I need to hear what they say.
"Did you tell them?" Riot growls low, stepping close to Trent.
Trent doesn't look all that perturbed with his arms crossed, leaning against the driver’s door. "No. You don't know that much about bonds, do you? As soon as you left, they felt the distance."
"Why didn't you tell me?" my mate snarls. "I put them in danger!"
Trent stays calm. "I'm not in the business of managing other people’s decisions. You asked for vengeance; I offered it to you."
Riot curses and glances over his shoulder at me. He closes his eyes for a moment and sighs. "What now?" he asks Trent.
"Now you go home, take a shower, and be happy, man. Isn't that obvious?"
The shadows deepen on his face as he frowns. "What about the others? All the people out there who need help."
"I had a feeling you'd ask that." Trent cocks his head, studying my man. "So I have a job for you."
My heart seizes and I try my damnedest to keep the fear out of the bonds, but I don't think I do a good job. Jarek wraps his arms around me from behind, and Silas steps forward like he's about to force Riot not to leave. Kade hasn't so much as twitched.
"I'm not going anywhere," Riot declares, lifting his chin at Trent. "No more killing. This was it."
Trent smiles, shocking me a bit. I've never seen him smile before. "I'd hope not. You're a family man now. But you can help me with some information right? You've been tracking down so many groups all across the country. Can I count on you to give me intel when I call? I'll pay you of course."
Riot seems to think about it for a moment. "I'll help you. But I reserve the right to say no at any time if I think it will put my pack in danger. This also won't be a for life situation. If I want out, you'll let me go with no strings or threats."
Trent chuckles and slaps Riot on the shoulder. "You've lived a hard life, my friend. I'm one of the good guys, no matter how many bodies I've put in the ground. Family above all, you have my word."
A sense of fulfillment fills the bond as Riot shakes Trent's hand. He's lived his life helping people. I can't imagine how hard it must have felt to not be able to do that anymore. Now he can. Safely.
"Now get your ass home before Kade tries to pick a fight with me. He won't win, so have mercy on your pack alpha," Trent jokes and reaches for his door handle.
Kade growls and steps forward, but Trent just chuckles and jumps into the driver’s seat. With a salute and a small smile, he drives away, leaving me and my men in a tense bubble.
"Let's go," Kade rumbles, grabbing Riot's upper arm and hauling him toward our truck. Riot doesn't fight him, and even stays quiet. Jarek does the same with me, albeit more gently.
Silas sucks in a horrified breath when the interior lights highlight the copious amount of blood Riot's soaked with. Our beta jumps to lay a blanket down on the seat and steps aside when Riot robotically moves onto it.
I can't read anyone very well. There's too much going on in the pack bond for me to pinpoint one emotion. That reminds me. Glancing at Jarek as I jump in next to Riot, I see the strain on his face.
I can make this better for someone...
Closing my eyes, I tip my head back on the seat and pull. Their chaotic energy swirls into one tether, helping me to absorb the brunt of their struggles. Jarek's relieved sigh beside me makes me smile. His hand on my thigh warms me, and when he whispers thank you in my ear, I feel better.
No matter the lecture Riot and I are in for, we're already living our next chapter. It's time for our happily ever after.