46
Phoenix
The house felt quiet that morning, a rare stillness settling over it. Wren’s last day here. The pack had taken Zeph’s sister into town for a movie, giving Wren and me some alone time. I appreciated the gesture. It wasn’t often I got moments like this with her, and I knew after today, I wouldn’t see her again for a while.
We were sitting on the back porch, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves. The sun had just started to break through the clouds, casting soft, golden light over the yard. Wren leaned back in her chair, sipping from a mug of coffee, her gaze fixed somewhere far off in the distance. I could tell she was working up to something. She’d been quiet all morning, which wasn’t like her. Usually, she’d fill the air with jokes or comments about how the pack better not screw things up while she was gone.
I fiddled with my own mug, not drinking, just holding it between my hands for the warmth. The question I knew was coming hung heavy between us, unspoken but lingering in the air.
“So…”
Wren finally broke the silence, turning her head to look at me. “You going to stay here, or head back to NYC?”
Her voice was casual, but the weight of the question settled deep in my chest. I hadn’t given her a straight answer when she’d asked me before. Truth was, I didn’t know. I didn’t know what I was doing here, didn’t know what the next step was supposed to be.
“I’m still unsure,”
I admitted, setting the mug down on the small table between us. “I don’t know what the right thing is.”
Wren’s eyes softened, and she set her coffee aside, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. “Look, Nix. I know things are complicated with the pack, with Zephyr especially, but… maybe it’s time to give them a chance to explain. To really explain what happened. You’ve been avoiding that conversation for a while now.”
I swallowed, feeling the lump in my throat tighten. She wasn’t wrong. I had been avoiding it. The betrayal still felt raw, even after all these weeks. But at the same time, the uncertainty of it all was gnawing at me—not knowing the full story, the half-truths that had kept me awake at night.
“I just don’t know if I’m ready to hear it,”
I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Wren reached over, placing a hand on my knee. Her touch was grounding, as it always had been. “You don’t have to be ready for everything all at once. But closure? That might help. Whether you stay here or go back to New York, knowing the truth will let you move forward. One way or another.”
I looked at her, really looked at her, and saw the quiet wisdom behind her words. Wren had always been the one to call me out on my bullshit, to push me in ways that no one else could. She wasn’t wrong. As much as I wanted to pretend I could just keep going without facing the truth, I knew it was a lie.
“Maybe,”
I said, my voice small. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I know I am,”
Wren said with a soft smile. “And for what it’s worth, Nix, I think this place… these people… I think they’re good for you. And you? You’re good for them.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You really think that?”
Wren nodded, her smile turning more serious. “I do. I’ve watched you here. I’ve seen the way you’ve been since I arrived. It’s not perfect, and it’s not easy, but you’re stronger than you’ve been in a long time. And that’s because of them, whether you want to admit it or not.”
I bit my lip, staring down at my hands. I knew she was right. The pack had been there for me, even when I didn’t want them to be. Even when I’d tried to push them away. And despite everything with Zephyr, despite the pain and betrayal, there was a part of me that didn’t want to leave. A part of me that had started to feel like this place—like they—could be home.
“But,”
Wren continued, her tone softening even more, “no matter what you decide, I’ll support you. If you want to go back to New York, I’ll be there to help you pack. And if that Alpha of yours thinks he can keep you here against your will, well… he’s got another thing coming. There’s nothing in the world that would stop your sisters from breaking you out if need be.”
I laughed at that, a small, reluctant chuckle escaping my lips. Leave it to Wren to threaten the pack with a rescue mission. The thought of her, Dove, and Raven storming this place in a blaze of chaotic energy was enough to make me smile, even if the reality was more complicated.
“Thanks, Wren,”
I said, feeling the tightness in my chest loosen just a little. “I don’t know what I’m going to do yet, but… thanks. For being here. For everything.”
“You’re my sister, Nix. I’ll always be here. And if those guys know what’s good for them, they’ll keep looking out for you too.”
We sat there for a while, the silence between us no longer heavy, just… comfortable. I let the warmth of the sun and the peace of the moment settle into my bones.
“Come on,”
Wren said after a while, standing up and stretching her arms above her head. “You can help me pack.”
I laughed again, but the reminder of the strange possessiveness I’d felt earlier in the week made my stomach twist. It was still new, this feeling of belonging. But maybe, just maybe, it didn’t have to be so scary.
“Alright,”
I said, standing up and gesturing for her to follow.
As we headed inside, a small part of me began to wonder if Wren was right. Maybe it was time to stop running and start facing what was in front of me. Maybe it was time to give them—and myself—a chance.
◆◆◆
That night, after dinner, the house felt quieter than usual. Zeph’s sister had gone to bed, leaving just the Alphas and me in the living room. My heart was pounding in my chest, but I knew I couldn’t put this off any longer. I had been carrying this weight for too long, and it was time to finally talk about it.
I stood from my seat, clearing my throat to get their attention. “I think I’m ready to talk.”
There was a brief silence before they let out quiet, relieved noises, their tension softening at my words. They had been waiting for this too, I realized, maybe just as much as I had.
Kage was the first to speak. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his gaze heavy with regret. “I failed you, Phoenix. I should’ve stopped Zeph sooner. I saw what was happening and… I didn’t do enough to protect you. Not just physically, but emotionally.”
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering in his eyes. “We—hell, I—thought we were doing the right thing by keeping you out of trouble, trying to prevent you from crossing any professional boundaries. We were planning to ask the PR company to replace you on the tour… so you could just be with us as our Omega. We thought it would be easier that way.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I blinked, trying to keep my emotions in check. “You should’ve spoken to me first. It wasn’t your call to make, Kage.”
He winced at my tone, but he nodded. “You’re right. We know that now. We should’ve trusted you to make your own decisions.”
I sighed, running my hands through my hair. I appreciated his apology, but it didn’t take away the sting of being left in the dark.
Parker was next. His usual cocky demeanor was gone, replaced with an unfamiliar vulnerability. He looked me in the eye, and for once, there was no playful smirk, no teasing words. Just honesty.
“Phoenix, I’m sorry,”
he said softly. “I didn’t treat you with the respect you deserved. We thought we were protecting you, but we ended up hurting you more. I know I can be… difficult, but I want you to know I regret every moment I made you feel like you didn’t matter. You matter. More than you know.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling in my chest.
“I never meant to hurt you, Phoenix,”
he began, his voice rough with emotion. “I don’t know how to fix this… or if I even can. But I need you to know… I love you. I always have. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all of it.”
I felt my breath hitch, the weight of his confession crashing into me like a wave. Hearing him say those words out loud made something inside me ache. Something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face.
Parker took a hesitant step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I can’t undo the past, but I’ll spend every day trying to make up for it, if you let me.”
The vulnerability in his voice cracked something in me. For so long, I had held on to my anger, my pain.
There was a pause as the attention shifted to Zephyr. Unlike the others, he had been quiet throughout the whole conversation, his body tense, his jaw clenched. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for him to speak. But instead of joining in, he remained silent.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice low and strained. “Can I… Can I talk to you alone?”
The request hung in the air, thick with tension. The others exchanged looks, clearly unsure whether to trust him. Kage’s eyes met mine, searching for my answer. But I knew that whatever Zephyr had to say, I needed to hear it. Alone.
I nodded. “It’s fine.”
One by one, the Alphas pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead before leaving the room. Kage’s lingered the longest, his hand brushing my shoulder as if silently promising to be nearby if I needed him.
Once the door closed, Zephyr and I were left alone, the room suddenly feeling much smaller. He stood, pacing the floor, his hands flexing at his sides like he didn’t know what to do with them. I stayed seated, watching him, waiting for him to say what he needed to.
Finally, he stopped, turning to face me. His expression was pained, as though the words he was about to speak were tearing him apart.