Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
SASHA
The next morning, the air smells like the promise of rain—cool and fresh. I stretch out in bed and blink against the light creeping in through the window, my muscles sore from last night’s session. Levi’s already up, his side of the bed is cold.
I slip out of bed, getting dressed quickly, throwing something comfortable on. Levi comes back into the room, dressed in his usual black leather, looking like he just walked out of a damn action movie. He brushes past me with a soft kiss to my lips and murmurs, “You still wanting to head to Nadia’s to fill her in? Gotta see Wulfe, too.”
I nod. “I need to see my nephew and remember why I’m still deep in the shit of the Foundation. Plus, Nadia needs to meet Stone or she’ll have my ass.”
Levi’s hand brushes mine as we walk downstairs to the living room. Stone is sitting on the couch, his eyes glued to the TV. The flickering images on the screen are just noise to him—he's not even paying attention, not really. His jaw is tight, and his fingers drum nervously on the armrest, like he's waiting for something to happen. Or maybe he’s just stuck in his head.
I can’t help but wonder what he’s really thinking, what kind of man he is when he’s not so tightly wound. I know he wants answers. But the way he’s been acting, the way he looks at me like there’s more there—like we’re a thread he might pull too hard and unravel—makes me uneasy. But now’s not the time to worry about that.
“We’re heading out,” Levi says, his voice telling and not asking. “You’re coming with us. It’s time you meet Nadia.”
Stone’s gaze flicks to Levi, then back to me, like he’s trying to read us both. He leans back against the couch, his expression unreadable, but there’s something in his eyes. “Meet Nadia, huh?” he mutters. “You sure I need to come?”
Levi doesn’t flinch. “I didn’t ask, did I? I said you’re coming. We need to know where the Carlisle Pack is staying, and Nadia’s pack is the one who can help us get there. We don’t have time to waste.”
I step closer to Stone, folding my arms across my chest. “You want to find answers, don’t you?” My voice is softer now, almost coaxing, but I know the truth of it. Stone’s been itching for this, for some kind of direction, for some reason to move forward. “This is it. You can either come with us and learn more, or you can stay here and be left in the dark.”
He hesitates for a moment, his eyes darkening as he looks between me and Levi. “Fine,” he says, his voice tight, but he’s standing now, pulling his jacket on with that same determined energy. “I’m coming.”
Stone walks toward the door without another word, and I follow behind him, Levi’s steps steady beside me. As we make our way out of the house, the cool air hits me like a slap to the face, but it feels refreshing.
The drive to Nadia's is eventless, the silence relaxing as we speed down the winding roads. I focus on the quiet hum of the engine and the occasional rustle from Stone behind us. He hasn’t said much since we left the house, but his presence is impossible to ignore, like a shadow that follows our every move. Levi’s focus is straight ahead, his hands steady on the wheel, and I can’t help but notice how effortlessly he exudes control in these situations. I wish I could share his calm, but the uncertainty about what’s to come gnaws at me.
Nadia’s place is a good twenty minutes out of town, and as we approach, the looming shape of the estate becomes visible through the trees. We pull up to the house, the familiar warmth of the place welcoming us.
“Welcome to the Skarlanthan’s, Stone.” I smile as I climb out of the car. As soon as I close my door, I hear a baby’s high-pitched giggle.
Wulfe.
The dark-haired cutie comes toddling around the bushes, his tiny hands reaching out for me. I crouch down to pick him up, the usual hard edge of my expression melting away, and when he grins up at me, his eyes full of excitement, I can't help but smile. He’s only a year old, but there’s something about him that can melt even my toughest exterior.
“Hey, little man,” I murmur, lifting him into my arms. I brush a lock of hair out of his face and press a kiss to his forehead. “You’re getting too big for me to carry,” I tease, and he giggles again, reaching for my necklace, tugging it gently.
Levi gives a small chuckle beside me as we move toward the house. “He’s got the right idea,” he says, glancing at me. “You look good holding a baby.”
I shoot him a quick look but don’t say anything, instead letting my eyes soften as I hold Wulfe closer. “Come on,” I say, steadying myself. “Let’s get inside and get to work.”
We step into the house, and the mood shifts. Nadia’s place is different—less like a hideout and more like a safe zone. The walls are lined with family photos, the kind of place where you can let your guard down. But not today. Today, it’s all business. We’re here to gather the pieces of the puzzle.
Wulfe’s giggles continue as we make our way across the dining room. Nadia appears from the kitchen, smiling as she greets us. “Hey, babe. I see you found my son already.” She leans in and tickles Wulfe’s belly. “Where is Daddy at?”
“Here!” Clay pants as he enters the house. “Sorry. The little terror threw my phone in the pool and as I was scooping it out, he took off.”
“He must have heard his auntie’s voice,” I coo at him.
“Where’s everyone else?” Levi asks.
“In the living room waiting for us. I just ran to the kitchen to grab some drinks, and Clay took Wulfe out for some fresh air before you arrived.” Nadia smiles, setting the bottles down on the coffee table. “Come on. We’ll do introductions when we’re all together.”
I follow my best friend, holding her son, and a smile finds my face at how happy she is… how different she is. It seems like a lifetime ago that she was a prisoner to her stepmom and stepsister and then to the Messenger Pack. She’s nothing like she was then—healthier, louder, full of life and happiness.
We enter the living room and I sit down on the couch, bouncing Wulfe on my knee as Levi and Stone sit on either side of me. Nadia sets the drinks on the table before collapsing into Ranger’s lap, who’s next to Owen and Dexter. Clay sits in the recliner in the corner and I watch as he eyes Stone up and down.
“So, Sasha, can we officially meet the stranger you brought into my home?” he finally asks.
I roll my eyes at his bluntness, but then smirk. “I don’t know, should you? I could make you guess his name or we could play remember when and I could punch you and see if you can recall what it is since I know Nadia told you already.”
Owen and Ranger chuckle, but Stone tenses beside me.
I pat his thigh. “Don’t worry, Stone. Clay here knows I’m just giving him shit. Clay, this is Stone. He and Levi share a Kismet omega, and well, he moved in yesterday.” I hear Nadia suck in a breath, but I ignore it. “Stone, this is Clay Skarlanthan. The omega is Nadia, my bestie, and the alpha she’s sittin’ on is Ranger. The guy to the left is Dexter, who is also Levi’s brother, and last but not least, is Owen and he’s a beta. Everyone, this is Stone.”
They exchange pleasantries, but Nadia cuts in. “Why didn’t you tell me he was moving in?”
“Because it was sudden, and well, he didn’t have much choice,” I tell her.
“What do you mean, he didn’t have much choice? Is he on the run? Was he homeless?” she asks.
“No. He came to dinner the night before, but things got heated. I held a knife to his throat and told him he had to move in. He complied and yesterday brought his shit over. The end.”
“So, who’s the alpha of the pack in this trio?” Ranger snarks.
“Fuck you, Ranger.” Levi flips him the bird and I smirk.
I don’t want to talk about this anymore because Stone moving in stirred up something I’m not ready to dissect yet.
“Wulfe’s getting big,” I comment, my voice louder than it needs to be in the otherwise quiet room. Nadia laughs, nodding.
“You should’ve seen him yesterday. He’s into everything lately,” she says, her tone a little lighter now.
“Let’s focus,” Dexter pipes up. “I don’t mean to be a prick, but we have plans. And they can only happen this time of the mon—well, nevermind let’s just get to work.”
Wait… they can only happen this time of the month? What the fu?—
Oh shit!
I look at Nadia, with my brows raised, and she smirks. I glance at Wulfe and then back to her and mouth number two? She bites her bottom lip and smiles.
Holy balls! They’re trying for baby number two! This is so exciting. I knew Nadia promised she’d carry a baby for each of them, but I didn’t know the timeline. Ahhh! I can’t wait to be an auntie again.
“We’ll talk later,” I whisper, and Nadia nods.
“So, from what I’ve gathered...” Dexter leans forward and spins the laptop around that’s on the end table beside him. “Carlisle is holed up in a huge estate outside of town.”
I take a deep breath, my nerves simmering beneath the surface. “We should go there. See what we can find.”
“Let’s do it,” Stone says. “I’m sick of sitting around.”
Levi looks over at me, his expression sharp. “Well, let’s go then,” he says, rising from the couch.
Levi, Stone, and I all get up, moving with purpose. I can practically feel the shift in the air, the anticipation of what’s to come.
I glance down at Wulfe, still cradled in my arms, and gently pass him over to Clay, pressing a soft kiss to his head. “Auntie loves and misses you already,” I murmur, my voice low and affectionate.
Dexter stands up. “You want any help? Or anything else?” he asks, his offer genuine.
I shake my head. “Oh no. You’ve got plans, and I want those plans to happen, so go on. We’ll be fine.”
We exchange a few more words of farewell, and then we’re off, heading toward the address Dexter gave us.
I move swiftly toward the car with Levi and Stone. The air is thick with nerves, each of us feeling the weight of the unknown. But we’re not stopping now. We can’t.
* * *
The mansion looms in the distance, hidden behind thick trees and high walls, its quiet stillness unsettling. We sit in the car, watching the house. Time stretches on. The sun starts to dip, casting long shadows across the landscape. Still nothing. No sign of anything out of the ordinary.
My patience finally snaps. "I’ve got an idea."
I shove the door open before either of the guys can stop me. The cool air hits my face, and I don’t look back as I slam it behind me. Levi starts to speak, but I wave him off. “I’m not sitting here anymore.”
The guys don’t like it, I can tell. Even without the concern from Levi bleeding down our bond. Stone’s already stepping out of the car to follow, but I shake my head. “No. You two stay here. I’ll handle it.”
The gate to the estate looms ahead, but I’m done with waiting for someone else to make a move. As I approach the tall iron gate, my boots thudding against the concrete, I feel the heat of the guys’ eyes on my back, but I don't slow down.
The estate seems... off. The air is thick with something heavy. It doesn’t sit right with me, but I’ve come this far. I’m not turning back.
This worked before, it has to work again… right?
I reach the gate, and before I can even knock, the door creaks open, and a man steps out. His face is rough around the edges, his expression tight, but his eyes are sharp. Calculating. He looks like he’s been through a war and back.
“What do you want?”
I don’t flinch. I don’t even blink. “I’m here on business,” I say smoothly, keeping my voice even. “I need to speak to someone in charge.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the gate, his lips twisting into a smirk. “I’m Ronnie Carlisle. This is my home, and I’m in charge here.”
“Hi, Ronnie! I'm Sandy, and I'm currently going door to door in the neighborhood, engaging in conversations with your neighbors about the benefits of switching to solar power.”
Ronnie isn’t buying it. He crosses his arms, his smirk never faltering. “What’s in it for me? You offer happy endings if I sign up, or what?”
Disgusting, sick fucking bastard. I should stab him in the face right here and now. But I don’t know who all is inside and I don’t want to start something we won’t be able to finish. We’re here to collect information… cold hard facts. Not just some random shit Stone gets from some ghost behind a phone screen.
“You’re funny,” I giggle. “No. It's just that I have an amazing product to share with you. I’ve been able to cut your neighbors’ bills in half by getting them to convert to solar. Just a few panels on your roof and they pay for themselves within the first year.”
For a moment, Ronnie just stares at me, his eyes narrowing as if weighing my words. Then, without warning, he takes a step forward, his hand shooting out to grab me by the wrist.
My breath hitches as his fingers tighten around me, and for a second, I’m caught off guard. I feel the heat of his grip, and I hate it. But I don’t show it. I can feel my pulse thumping in my throat, the tension in my jaw as I fight the instinct to snap back. I’m pissed, but I won’t let it show. Not yet.
My face hardens, eyes flashing with fury, but I hold myself in check. I pause, just long enough to take a deep breath. I’m just playing a role and I have to get more information. No mistakes. Not now.
"Please let go of me," I say softly, my voice smooth but with an edge to it. Danger. Calculated. I know exactly how to turn that softness into something lethal if I need to.
He doesn’t catch the warning. His grip tightens further, and I can feel the pressure as he leans in, smirking. “Or what?”
I don’t break eye contact. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter. I know it’s coming, that explosion I’ve been holding back. I’ve played this game before when someone pushes me. Not to mention, I’m sure there are two alphas sitting in the car watching this exchange and if this goes much further, they’ll intervene.
I can’t have that… not yet.
“Or I’ll have to call the police. I’m sure a nice gentleman like you, Ronnie, doesn’t want that. This is just a misunderstanding. Now, I can stand here and wait for them to come with your hand on me or I can be on my way and forget this ever happened.”
“Why you little bitch,” he snarls and for a moment he grips me tighter, but then the door creaks open and a voice cuts through the situation like a knife through butter.
“Ronnie, I need you.”
I turn, my stomach flipping, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything in my world stops.
I see him. Flynn. It has to be him unless they have another omega here, too.
He stands in the doorway, looking like he just walked out of my wildest fantasies. His eyes lock with mine, and it’s like everything else fades into the background. His blond hair is short, ocean-blue eyes that cut straight through me. And then I smell it—blood orange and wine. It hits me like a drug, sweet and heady, and I nearly moan. I feel like I could cum just from the scent alone. My heart races out of control, pounding in my chest. He feels it too—his breath catches, eyes narrowing as he watches me.
Ronnie releases his grip, muttering something under his breath, but I can’t hear it. I’m too focused on the newcomer. My pulse is racing, blood thrumming in my veins. I know, I know what this is.
With an exaggerated huff, Ronnie drops his hold on my arm, and relief rushes in like a tide. Before I can even blink, he turns on his heel, stalking back toward the omega at the door, his voice low and agitated. "What the hell, Flynn? You know better than to interrupt me when we have company?—"
It is him.
The moment Ronnie turns his back, I mouth to Flynn. “I’ll be back.” But he just closes his eyes and shakes his head no.
My heart is still racing, and every nerve is on high alert. I turn and head down the walkway at a jog, pushing through the gate, the gravel crunching under my boots as I head toward the car, my thoughts jumbled.
I can’t believe it. Flynn. God, Flynn .
I reach the car and yank the door open, throwing myself inside. My hands are trembling as I slam the door shut, the sound of my heartbeat thundering in my ears. I don’t even register the other two in the car until I see Levi’s hand move to my thigh. My eyes move to his, whatever expression he sees on my face causing his brows to furrow in question.
“What happened?” he asks, his voice calm, but I can hear the edge in it. He knows something went wrong, but I’m not ready to explain yet. Not fully. Not when I still feel the heat of Flynn's gaze on me like an invisible brand.
I don’t answer immediately. My breath comes in shallow bursts, and I can’t stop the way my chest tightens every time I think about him. Flynn. Standing there, just looking at me like no one else existed. Like nothing else mattered.
Levi leans toward me from the driver’s seat, his expression tight with concern. “What happened, Sasha?” he asks again, his voice low. He’s seen me angry, seen me frustrated, but he’s never seen me this rattled.
Turning to face them both. “I saw him,” I finally say, the words coming out in a rushed whisper. “Flynn.”
The silence that follows is thick, suffocating.
Stone’s eyebrows furrow as he scans my face, waiting for my response, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“He was there,” I say, my voice cracking slightly. “Right in front of me.”
“And?” Levi pushes. “What happened, Sasha?”
“He’s my Kismet omega too,” I say, the words finally slipping from my lips like a confession.