Chapter 26 #2
“Bianca, like I said... it wasn’t serious.
He has an amazing mind, and we could talk for hours.
When he asked me out, I wasn’t sure I felt that way about him, but I did enjoy his company.
” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
“He’d take me on lavish trips all over the world, but it was more of a fun fling than some fantastical love story. ”
“Do you remember putting me on birth control?”
“Birth control? I... Let me think. That does sound vaguely familiar.” Her eyes unfocus slightly as she searches her memory.
“He recommended a shot that would prevent certain diseases that affected omegas. One was something your Nana had, so it seemed like a great idea at the time. It wasn’t for birth control.
.. a side effect maybe. You were too young to be worried about that. ..”
I suddenly want to tell her everything. The words press against my teeth, chanting for release.
“Bianca...” Mom leans forward, her eyes intent on mine. “Don’t bullshit me. What is this about? Did he touch you? For God’s sake, just tell me.”
“I want to tell you something, but you can’t say anything to anyone... promise me.” My voice drops to barely above a whisper.
“I… I don’t like this, Bianca. But I promise.”
“Not even Dad.”
“Oh—I’m not sure I could keep something from him...” She looks toward the door where Dad and Winston disappeared.
“You can’t say a word. To anyone. I’m serious.” I grip her hand tightly.
She studies my face for a long moment, then nods. “Okay. Tell me.”
I take a deep breath. “That shot is the reason I never awakened. It was a suppressant.”
Mom’s face drains of color. She shakes her head, lips parting in disbelief.
“No. No, that can’t be right. Why would he.
.. That doesn’t make any sense.” Her voice rises with each word, trembling with emotion.
“You went to him to find out why you didn’t awaken.
He would’ve made the connection. He would’ve known. ”
“He knew.”
“I...” I can practically see her brain trying to process this information and fit it into her understanding of the world. “Was this something to do with Whitney and the boys? Why? I don’t understand.”
“It’s complicated. I’m still trying to figure things out.”
“I could talk to him. Maybe it was a misunderstanding…”
“Mom, do you still talk to him?”
“I see him for hormone therapy periodically since my heats stopped.”
What. The. Fuck.
He’s had access to my fucking mom this entire time? The thought makes me want to scream. Has he done things to her too?
“Please don’t say a word about any of this,” I beg urgently. “He can’t know you know... I... I shouldn’t have said anything, but I needed to know if you were involved.”
“How could you think I would ever do anything to hurt you?” Tears fill her eyes. “I love you so much. The years without you have broken my heart, baby. I just want my kids healthy and happy, and... I want everyone back together. Like the old days.”
“I want that too.”
“Bianca, I hate this. I really hate this secrecy, and I’m not convinced you are going to be safe. Can you come home? Is this something the police should be involved in?”
“No! Remember, you promised. You can’t say anything to anyone.
It would be very bad for me if you did. No one.
I’ll tell you more when I can.” Mom pulls me into her arms, sobbing into my hair.
I feel her tears dampen my scalp as she holds me, her body shaking.
I wrap my arms around her, breathing in her comforting, much-missed scent.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I will visit as much as I can. I wanted to get some things from my room if that’s okay.”
“Yes, of course, that’s fine.” She pulls back, wiping her eyes. “Take whatever you want. Do you want me to pack this food up for you?”
“If you want to...” I manage a small smile. “I do have four huge alphas to feed now.”
“Will you bring them over soon? Your dad will want to talk to them—make sure they’re taking care of you.” Her attempt at normalcy breaks my heart.
“Yes, I will.” Another promise I’m not sure when I will be able to keep.
Mom nods and begins packing up some of the food she made, her movements looking mechanical and stilted. I’ve given her a lot to process. I watch her for a moment, then turn to Winston when he returns from the garage.
“Can I borrow your phone?”
Winston doesn’t ask questions, just pulls his phone from his pocket and hands it over. “Take your time.”
“Thanks, I’ll be in my room.”
I slip upstairs, my feet finding the familiar path without thought. Fourteen steps, turn right, third door on the left. My bedroom door still has the “KEEP OUT” sign I hung when I was thirteen. I push it open and step inside.
I dial the emergency number for the refuge, my heart pounding as it rings. What if they’re not actually okay? What if Dr. Montgomery lied?
It wouldn’t be the first time.
“Hello.” Ezra’s voice fills my ear, and my knees nearly buckle.
“Oh my God, Ez,” I whisper, pressing my back against my bedroom door to stay upright. “You’re really okay. I’ve been losing my shit.”
There’s a beat of silence, then, “Bianca? Is that you?”
It takes everything in me not to burst into tears at the sound of his voice—calm and steady, just like always. “It’s me. I don’t have much time.”
“Are you safe? Where are you? We’ve been losing our minds—“
“I’m at my parents’ house, but I’m being watched. On a short leash.” The words tumble out in a rush. “He’s got us in Whitney’s house, cameras everywhere, guards following us. I don’t know what his endgame is, but I’m with the guys. We all have trackers.”
“Fuck,” Ezra breathes. “We’ve got trackers too.”
“Ezra... thank you. Thank you for helping them find me. You saved my ass once again.”
“I will always do––”
“Bianca?” Megan sounds high and breathless, like she ran to get to the phone.
A sob escapes before I can stop it. “Megan. Fuck. I miss you.”
“You little biatch! You scared the shit out of me.” I can hear the tears in her voice despite her attempt at bravado.
“You know how it is. Trouble finds me.” I laugh through my tears, sliding down the door until I’m sitting on the floor.
“Sure. But seriously, I’m glad you escaped those assholes. Mason said they have some concerning online activities.”
“They don’t anymore.”
Her laughter fills the line.
“What’s the plan?” Ezra must have grabbed the phone back.
“How do we get you out of this? What can we do? We’re limited with the trackers but—” I glance at the time on Winston’s phone.
The driver will be coming to take me back to the mansion soon.
“Don’t know yet, but I’m working on it. I gotta go, but I will call soon. ”
Megan again. “Be careful.”
I end the call and sit for a moment, letting the sound of their voices echo in my memory. Then I rifle through the backpack and pull out the book from Whitney’s office. My fingers tremble slightly as I crack it open, hoping like hell it has something useful inside.
On top are some notes in her handwriting.
Passwords, maybe. Or account numbers. There’s a USB drive, a small stack of photos, a few pieces of jewelry, and—photos first. I flip through them.
There are a few of Whitney during her childhood, moments she captured with her father where she looks happy.
.. more like the girl I was friends with.
There’s a photo of a beautiful woman who looks familiar, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before.
The back says Isabelle Clyne. The name doesn’t ring any bells.
Then it clicks. She looks exactly like Whitney—same hair and eyes, same nose.
This must be her mother. Whitney rarely brought her mom up.
My fingers itch to begin researching. It might be useful to know what happened to Whitney’s mom and what her relationship with Dr. Montgomery was like. Maybe there’s a pattern here I’m missing.
The real question is whether to involve the alphas. Tristan would definitely be helpful and make things a lot easier, but part of me wants to do this myself. If I tell them, they’ll try to control it to keep the precious little omega away from danger, which would really piss me off.
There’s a knock on the door, and I jump, quickly stuffing everything back into the book before I’ve looked at it all.
“Bianca?” Winston’s voice comes through the door. “You okay in there?”
I tuck the book back in the backpack. “Yeah, just grabbing some stuff. Come in.”
He opens the door and steps inside, his eyes sweeping over my childhood room. “Weird being back here, huh?”
“Like stepping into a time machine.” I stand and move to my dresser, opening drawers and pulling out a few things to take back to the mansion. Not much, but having my own things will bring some comfort, I think.
Winston sits on the edge of my bed, watching me. “So... the guys. How are they really?”
I pause, a t-shirt in my hands. “They’ve been through a lot. Whitney wasn’t... kind.”
“If anyone can bring them back from the dark, it’s you.”
I snort. “No pressure or anything.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he says suddenly. “I know it’s not the best time, but...”
My stomach drops. “What is it?” I can’t take any more bad news.
“Clara’s pregnant.”
“Win, that’s... Oh my god.” Relief and joy flood through me. I throw my arms around him, hugging him tight. “I’m going to be an aunt.”
“The most badass aunt ever,” he confirms, squeezing me back.
“Tell Clara I’m so happy for all of you. She’s going to be the best mom.”
He coughs and stares at me expectantly. “You are going to be a ridiculously awesome dad. Your packmates, too.” His smile lights up.
“Clara’s already doing all the things. You know how she is.
There are paint samples everywhere for the nursery, lists upon lists.
..” He laughs, shaking his head. “Maybe once we get this figured out, you two could spend some time together. She’s always loved you.
And you need to get to know the pack. They’re nerds, so you’ll have that in common. ”
I laugh and punch him in the arm.
I can’t help but get a little teary-eyed at the thought of my brother being a dad. Dammit.
But in the back of my mind, dread builds over the pregnancy test I’ll have to take at my appointment, even though it’s unlikely to be positive. This world is too cruel and ugly for something as innocent as a baby.
Winston helps me gather a few more things from my room before we say goodbye.