Chapter 31 Daisy
Daisy
I finish packing the last of my things as I pull the zip around my suitcase, then take one last look around my room.
I’m New York City-bound once again. I guess it really wasn’t meant to be.
The guys have been sending me endless text messages, but I have ignored every single one. I just can’t: it would be too hard.
It’s better this way. At least then, we can all move on.
There comes a knock at the door, and I turn, finding my dad, Colin, outside in the hall. He smiles at me sadly, and I reach up, checking my cheeks.
Tear-free.
Well, for now.
“Are you ready to go soon, Daisy?”
Good question. I peer around the room again, spying all the floral patterns and the woodland theme. Grandpa decorated it just for me, and another wave of guilt washes over me.
But I have to leave. Because this place harbors too many painful memories. Now the new memories have just layered over the old.
And the one constant in each memory—Rowan rejects me.
Twice, I have given my heart to that Alpha. And twice, he has broken it.
I have been such a fool.
But it’s time to go.
I meet my dad’s eyes. “Yes.”
He smiles at me for a few moments longer, and it seems he truly sees me now. I have told them everything about the guys. Yet no matter what, my family supports whatever decision I make. Except Grandpa still wants to beat all three of them up.
Dad steps into the room, picking up my suitcase. And now we both climb down the stairs. Grandpa and Mom wait on the porch just outside the house. I give each of them a huge hug before I depart.
“Have a safe journey now, sweetie,” Mom says, wrapping her arms around me tightly.
I smile, hugging her back. “I will, Mom.”
She steps away, and now I hug Grandpa. I prolong the embrace. After all, it could be a while before I ever have the chance to come up.
That’s if I can ever stomach setting foot into Silverpine again. No doubt the whole town will soon know.
Whatever happens, so long as they all know that it was me who rejected them. Not the other way around.
At least, that’s what I will tell myself.
If only I could take Grandpa with me, but this is his home. He has his memories here of the time he spent with his pack and his Omega.
My other grandparents.
At least he isn’t alone: he has Mom and Dad.
“Are you sure you still don’t want me to beat them up for you, poundcake?” he asks.
I laugh. “I’m sure, Grandpa.”
He squeezes me tighter, and I can tell he doesn’t want to let me go. In his eyes, Pack Thorn is the enemy.
Because of them, he is going to lose his granddaughter twice.
I just hope none of them walk down any dark alleyways at night because Grandpa will be there waiting for them.
Finally, we let go. I hold onto Grandpa’s fingers a little longer as I back away to the car. Even as I climb into the front seat, my eyes don’t leave him.
The tears pour in earnest now. And I’m not the only one crying. Grandpa wipes his cheeks, and Mom consoles him.
As the car drives away, they both raise their arms and wave me goodbye. I wave back.
You know what, I will come back. Pack Thorn be damned.
Let them see how happy I am. That they haven’t broken me. They never did the first time, so why should now be different?
I will get through this. I am strong. And I have the book deal now. I am going places. So, life is great.
Once the car drives away from the house, I set my sights on a new future. One that is Alpha-free.
Here I come, New York.