Chapter 7 Road Trip
Liam's POV
Thursday arrived quicker than I could have imagined.
I woke up at the crack of dawn, around 4 a.m., my nerves making it impossible to sleep any longer.
After a quick morning workout to release some of that restless energy, I got into the shower and got dressed, mentally preparing myself for the trip ahead.
By 6:45 a.m., I was already outside, loading up my vehicle. I had made it crystal clear to everyone we were leaving by 7 a.m. sharp. So when I glanced at my watch and saw the time ticking away, a sense of anxiety washed over me. Still no one else was in sight.
Just then, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
A moment later, Emily emerged, looking fresh and excited, her suitcase in tow.
Gamma Mason soon followed, appearing just as eager.
My parents, perhaps sensing the buzz in the air, were awake to see us off, their smiles giving off comfort and love.
But as the seconds dragged by, I found myself pacing in the living room, glancing toward the staircase more frequently than I intended.
"Liam, if you keep pacing like that, you're going to wear a hole in the floor," my mother said with a gentle laugh, sensing my anxiety. I looked up at her, her regal presence always calming me amidst the chaos.
"Where are they?" I muttered under my breath, frustration bubbling within me. Just then, at 7:08 a.m., Lucas finally appeared, Ashley in tow right behind him.
"What took you so long?" I raised an eyebrow, irritation escaping my tone. Lucas had always been the punctual one, the first to rise in anticipation of our adventures. But since his marked his chosen mate, it seemed that had all changed.
"Chill, Liam! You act like we were going to miss the ride!" Lucas replied, rubbing sleep from his eyes.
"Let's just get moving," I interjected, trying to steer the energy back on track. "Good morning, everyone! Now that we are finally all here, we can load up and head out."
"Emily, you'll ride along with me and the warriors," I instructed, giving her a warm smile. "The rest of you will pile into the second car. Remember, we have a six-hour journey ahead, so we'll make stops when needed. Any questions?"
Silence fell over the group as everyone exchanged glances, perhaps feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about the day.
"Okay then, let's hit the road!"
Before I climbed into the driver's seat, I leaned down to kiss my mother on the cheek. "Take care, Mum. Dad, I trust the pack will thrive while I'm away. If you need anything, just give me a call."
With a reassuring nod from both of them, I hopped into the car, the anticipation building for what lay ahead.
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Emily's POV
Three hours into the journey, the car felt like it was moving in slow motion. My headphones were starting to feel more like a chain around my neck than the soul-soothing escape they usually provided.
"Hey, Liam," I piped up, breaking the silence. "How much longer until the next stop? I really need to stretch my legs."
"Roughly 30 minutes," he replied, keeping his eyes on the road, though I could hear the hint of sympathy in his voice.
"That's just great," I groaned, feeling my leg twitch restlessly. "At this rate, I'll be climbing the walls."
"Hey, at least we're not stuck with jerk face and the witch," Aria, my inner wolf, chimed in with a cheeky tone.
"True. I just wish this ride would end already," I sighed.
"You know, we could always just run there. It would be faster," Aria suggested, her voice dripping with playful arrogance.
"Great idea! Why didn't I think of that?" I shot back sarcastically.
"Probably because you're not as brilliant as I am," she replied smugly.
"Keep telling yourself that, genius," I retorted, shaking my head and stifling a laugh.
Suddenly, the car came to an abrupt halt, catching me off guard. "Finally! Time for a bathroom break and maybe some food—I'm starving!" I exclaimed, practically springing out of my seat.
As I made my way to the restroom, I was jolted by a hard impact.
"Can't you watch where you're going?" Ashley snapped, her voice filled with irritation.
"Ummm... Sorry, but you walked right into me!" I protested, my annoyance flaring.
She simply rolled her eyes and stalked off.
"Goddess, what crawled up her ass and died?" Aria muttered, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
"Honestly, I have no idea. She's been in a mood lately," I said, shaking my head.
"Maybe she just needs to let her wolf out for a run too," Aria quipped, and I had to smile at that.
I finally slipped away to the restroom, my mind racing about all the wonderful snacks I can choose from.