Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
FLYNN
I’ve spent the day holed up in my room. My bedroom. It’s so weird to be saying those words. But it’s what it is. Yeah, I had one at Carlisle's home, but it wasn’t mine. It was more theirs than mine. The only personal item I was able to have in it was the picture of Allegra.
Sasha, despite what she’d said, spent most of the day with me—talking, telling me about my alphas, more Levi than Stone. I wanted to ask her about it, but fear overrides the desire, too scared that it would push her away or worse, they would take their anger out on me. It’s how the Carlisle Pack handled my questions until I learned not to ask.
Levi came in on his own, always careful, never pushing for more than I was willing to give. It was new, refreshing—but a part of me still held on to the idea that this was just a trap. That in a brief instant, it would all change, and I’d find myself firmly captured in the arms of a pack far more brutal than the Carlisles.
I didn’t see Stone. I told myself it didn’t matter, that his absence was him giving me space after last night. But still the thought lingered in my mind; If Levi could come, why not him? Unless he came while I was asleep? Could he have? I don’t think so otherwise surely his scent would be stronger in this room, right?
“Come on Flynn, it’s time to get out of this room,” I tell myself, giving me my own personal pep talk.
I stand slowly and take the steps to the bedroom door, each one feeling as if I’m walking through quicksand, sinking slowly to my death with every movement.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding when I reach the door, take hold of the knob and turn, pulling it open.
I did it.
The scent of sizzling spices and warm tortillas fills the air as I hesitate at the top of the staircase, my fingers gripping the railing just a little too tightly. The muffled hum of conversation drifts from the kitchen—familiar voices, light laughter. It’s the kind of warmth I have been afraid I’d never feel again.
“You can do this, Flynn. The people in this house are your true bonds—not threats, not control.” I reach up, rubbing my hand along my neck, the place where those who tried to claim me without consent bit. You can feel it. I have to trust the bond.
My steps are hesitant, unsure if I’m walking into danger or toward something safe. Even as my foot hits the landing at the bottom of the stairs, I’m already trying to convince myself to turn and run right back up them, back to the security of the room they’ve given me.
But I don’t.
Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath and step forward, the soft creak of the floorboard beneath my feet making me pause.
Breathe in, breathe out. I repeat those two steps until my nerves have settled.
I continue forward, one foot in front of the other, until I reach the doorway, my heart hammering against my ribs. Levi sits at the table, his back to me, Sasha curled up on his lap, her head resting on his shoulder. Stone stands at the stove, focusing on whatever he’s cooking, his strong arms moving with ease.
None of them have noticed my presence or if they have, they’ve not acknowledged me. I clear my throat. “Guess I’m just in time for dinner.”
Three heads snap toward me in unison. For a second, silence hangs in the air, but then Sasha gasps and jumps from Levi’s lap, rushing to me and taking my hand. “You’re here,” she breathes, squeezing my fingers before leading me toward the table. “Come sit.”
I don’t fight, but sink into her touch, letting her guide me across the room, easing me down into the seat beside Levi. The warmth of Sasha’s presence and Levi’s and Stone’s quiet strength make my tense shoulders relax just a little.
“I’m glad you came down,” Sasha says, giving me a reassuring smile.
Stone lets his gaze travel down my body, not in a sexual way, but as if he’s assessing me for any damage before giving me a warm smile. “Hope you like chicken fajitas. You’re not allergic to anything, are you? If you are, I can make something else for you. Anything you want,” he rattles off nervously.
Hmmm. He’s just as nervous as me. I shift my eyes to Levi, seeing his knee bounce up and down, as he too is focused on me with rapt attention. Is he nervous too? It’s not just me.
I shake my head. “No. And I do like fajitas. There’s no need to make something special just for me.” I hesitate, shifting slightly in my seat. “I was hoping I could talk to the three of you.”
“Of course,” Levi says immediately.
“We can talk while we eat,” Stone adds, plating the food. “It’s done.”
Sasha stands, stepping over to Stone and helps to bring food to the table. I’m still reeling from the kindness of this group when Sasha sets a plate down in front of me, the steam from the food hitting me in the face. I stare down at the delicious chicken, willing my nerves to settle.
“What would you like to drink?” Levi leans over and asks, still making sure to keep a comfortable distance between us.
“Water’s fine.”
He presses his lips, not in anger, but something else. He stands, making his way over to the refrigerator and takes out four bottles of water, placing one in front of me. I stifle a moan as I get a hit of that delicious bourbon, maybe I should ask if they have any. You know, just to subtly get a proper hit of it.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“You’re welcome, Flynn,” comes softly back from him before he takes his seat, Sasha and Stone following behind him.
I take a deep breath and begin. “I want you to know the reason I stayed with them. Sasha knows already, but you should as well. I didn’t want to stay and I would’ve found a way to escape or die doing it. I never wanted to be there with them. Every moment was torture, and I hated it. Ronnie and his pack… they threatened my sister. If I ran, they promised they’d hurt her. I couldn’t risk it.” My throat tightens, but I force myself to continue. “I need to check on her. I have to know she’s okay.”
“Of course,” Sasha said softly. “Call her. I gave you a phone, Flynn. You can use it however you want.”
I fumble, looking in my pocket for the phone she gave me earlier. It never occurred to me to just use it without asking. I didn’t want to get in trouble. My fingers shake slightly as I call the number I know from memory. It rings. And rings. And rings. Until her voicemail clicks on.
I leave a message, and Sasha tells me my number as I repeat it in the message. I need to talk to her.
My stomach twists, my breath coming quicker. I try again. Still nothing.
“She always answers,” I whisper, panic rising like a wave ready to drown me.
Levi’s hand lands firmly on my shoulder, giving a gentle squeeze. “Breathe, Flynn. She’s okay. We’ll keep trying.” Oddly, I don’t flinch under his touch; my body welcomes it, recognizing him as my bond.
Stone nods. “We won’t let anything happen to her. We’ll find a way to get her somewhere safe.”
I swallow, nodding, but the anxiety doesn’t fully subside. I need to believe them. I need to trust that they won’t let me down.
“Eat some food, Flynn, please. We’ll keep trying to reach her and if we don’t, we’ll go to her house.” Stone’s voice is deep, but calm and soothing.
“You’d do that?” I ask in surprise.
“Of course we would,” Sasha adds.
I pick up one of the fajitas and take a bite. The flavor hits hard, spicy and warm, and I can’t help the little moan that slips out.
Everything goes quiet.
Levi’s fork stops halfway to his mouth. Stone’s eyes drop to my lips, and Sasha shifts in her seat like she’s suddenly uncomfortable. I see the way they’re all looking at me—like that tiny sound meant something.
My face burns.
But no one yells. No one throws anything or tells me to shut up. No one calls me a worthless omega.
No one makes me get on my knees just to earn dinner.
It’s just quiet. Safe. And for once, I don’t have to be afraid to eat.
I’ve eaten half the food on my plate, my stomach protesting taking anymore in when I take another deep breath, forcing myself to push forward. “There’s more I need to tell you,” I admit. My voice feels raw, exposed. “What Ronnie did… the things I went through in that pack…” My words waver. “The constant verbal attacks, the way they made me feel worthless. The bruises, the punishments, the—” I clench my fists, shutting my eyes briefly before looking up at them again. “I need you to understand where I’m coming from. I need you to know I might never be whole again.”
Silence stretches between us, thick with emotion. Then Levi speaks, his voice steady but full of quiet intensity. “We don’t expect you to be okay overnight, Flynn. Healing isn’t something you owe us. It’s something we want for you, no matter how long it takes.”
Stone nods. “Lisa Cox [email protected] In here. No matter what, no matter how long it takes you to feel comfortable with us. Whatever you need, we’ll get it for you. If you need counseling, a therapist to talk to about what you’ve been through, then we’ll find the best in the field. You are our priority.”
I swallow, my chest aching with something foreign—something dangerously close to hope. “There’s something else,” I say hesitantly. “Something Sasha already knows.” I reach up, pulling my shirt down, letting my fingers graze over the bruises on my neck. The bite marks that need to heal yet.
The moment my fingers brush over them, a memory crashes into me like a tidal wave—the pain, the fear, the feeling of being trapped with no way out. The nights they bit me. My breathing hitches, my vision blurs, and my hands begin to tremble.
“Flynn.” Levi’s voice is sharp with concern as he drops to the floor beside me.
I gasp, struggling against the rising panic, my chest tightening as the walls of my mind close in on me.
Then Stone is there. His hands are warm, grounding, pressing against my shoulders as he pulls me close, murmuring something low and soothing that I can’t make out. His smoky scent surrounding me like a blanket of security. Sasha weaves her way somehow between the table and me. She’s practically on my lap, holding my face in her hands. I cling to her, my fingers digging into her arms as I try to remember how to breathe.
“You’re safe,” Sasha whispers. “You’re safe, Flynn. Breathe.”
Sasha keeps murmuring soft reassurances, while Stone and Levi stay close, their presence a silent promise of protection. As the mixed scent of smoked coconut bourbon surrounds me, slowly, the panic lessens, leaving behind exhaustion.
“I’m scared,” I admit hoarsely. “What if they scar and I carry them forever?”
“They’ll heal,” Levi assures me. “And even if they don’t, we’ll still be here.”
Sasha lifts my head, making me look her right in the eyes. “I need to tell you something too. Levi and I… we’re already bonded.”
My eyes go wide and I nod slowly, trying to process it.
Stone shifts, stepping away from my back and moving to my side. “And I have feelings for Sasha as well. I want to pursue a bond with her if she decides to have me. We haven’t fully talked about it because finding you, making sure you were safe, was more important. But that doesn’t change anything about what we are as a pack or how I feel about you.”
“And those bites on your neck mean nothing more than you’re a survivor. You did what you had to do to live, to protect your family. They’re not permanent, thankfully, so they’ll heal. They show how strong you are. Nothing more. And one day, when you’re ready, we’ll give you ours,” Levi tells me.
I blink at them, overwhelmed, but oddly, not afraid. The way they speak to me, the way they look at me—it isn’t possessive or demanding. It’s open. Honest. Something I’d never had before.
“Now let’s finish eating. Sasha made a chocolate cake and I can’t wait to have some,” Stone jokes, causing us all to laugh.
We all return to our spots and make small talk while we finish eating.
“Can I try to call again?” I ask Sasha once we’re done.
“Of course.” I grab my phone and call the number, biting back my nerves when the phone rings twice with no answer. But on the third ring her sweet voice flows through the line.
“Allegra!” I all but shout in the speaker. “Are you okay?”
“Flynn?” Her voice is cautious, but hearing it makes the last bit of tension in my chest dissolve.
“I’m safe,” I tell her. “I was rescued from the Carlisle Pack by my true bonds. They’re gone and can never hurt us again. And I’m going to make sure you’re safe, too.”
“Really?” she exclaims, both excitement and nervousness filling her voice.
We talk some more, making plans for her to come over so I can see her and introduce her to the three people who saved me, saved us.
When I hang up, I find Levi, Sasha, and Stone watching me. It’s like they already knew what I was going to ask them before I even opened my mouth.
“We’ll bring her here,” Sasha said firmly. “We’ll keep her safe until we find her somewhere to go.”
For the first time in a long time, I start to believe it. I’m safe.