I stormed into the room to find Jamie half-asleep on the bed. She called out to me, but I headed for the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind me. I needed a minute before I faced her. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Augie, letting him know I would need him to pick me up from the airport later that day. I ignored his immediate replies of concern, afraid of snapping at him if I chose to respond.
“Taya?” Jamie’s voice was hesitant through the door. “Can I come in?”
I glanced in the mirror before answering her. My teal eyes were wide and wild with anger, and my auburn locks were a tangled mess from the earlier flight. I splashed some water on my face and ran my fingers through my hair before pulling the door open.
I brushed past Jamie and leaned against the bed. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay here anymore.”
“You just got here. What happened out there?” she asked.
“Liam is a dick and I should have never trusted him.” I growled. “I’m going to head for the main road and find a ride to the airport. I need to get back to Oregon.”
Jamie walked over and sat next to me on the bed. “Are you sure that’s the right choice?”
I huffed. “Well, when your mate’s mom basically blames you for her husband’s death and he does nothing to defend you, it seems ridiculous to stay. Don’t you think?”
“Oh, Taya. I’m so sorry. He’s not thinking clearly right now. None of them are.”
I knew she was right, but how many punches to the heart was I supposed to take before he was thinking clearly? I couldn’t imagine treating him as he had me, no matter how much I was hurting.
“I went to apologize for acting like an immature brat. When he stormed out, I immediately knew I had overreacted earlier and felt horrible, but then I heard his mom… I just can’t deal with that.”
Jamie turned me toward her. “I get it, but please don’t make a big decision while you’re both upset. It won’t end well for anyone. I can promise you that.”
I sighed. She was making good points, but my pride was not agreeing with her. I needed some one-on-one time with my wolf to help me sort through everything.
“I’m going for a run. I’ll be back and decide then.”
She smiled at me. “I think that’s a good choice. I’ll be waiting here when you’re ready.”
I hugged her tightly, thankful for her friendship, then left the room to head outdoors. I passed by a few others on my way outside, but nobody paid me any attention. Everyone seemed to be in their own haze, and I wondered how many shifters they had lost when Declan attacked.
I truly did feel awful for being so selfish before, but I hadn’t been able to control myself. I had feared Liam not being able to choose me over his family from the beginning, and when he ignored me, my insecurity reared its ugly head. I couldn’t manage to rein in my reactions to the shitty situation we were dealing with.
I headed for the trees to the left of the house and undressed when I was further into the forest. I sent another text to Augie, telling him I was okay and would call him later before tucking my phone into the pile of clothes I made on the ground.
I stretched my arms out and let the shift take over. When I was on all four legs, I shook my fur out and let out a deep howl.
Hurt, was my wolf’s first thought.
I know, girl. Me, too.
My wolf took off into the woods as fast as we could go, and I reveled in the challenge of the new terrain. Rocks bit at my paws as we took a path less traveled. I smelled water somewhere within the vicinity and decided without much thought that it would be a good place to go to sort through the conflicting emotions within me.
After a few wrong turns and double-backing on the trails, we finally made it to a small waterfall and stream. My wolf reached the edge, lapping up the water after our rigorous run. Once her thirst was satisfied, we surveyed the area more clearly.
There was a canopy of trees above us, casting a shadow over the area and blocking out most sounds except the water and a few animals skittering across the forest floor. The creek was clear with a pebbled bottom, and small fish darted around the shallow waters.
I laid on the cool ground, taking everything in.
Liam’s dad had been killed just as my brother had. His pack had suffered significant losses. He had completely shut me out, and my dominant personality didn’t like that one bit. Neither did my wolf. She tossed around the thoughts and we both came back to the same conclusion.
We needed to let Liam go.
Not out of anger like I had been feeling earlier, but because it was the right thing to do. His pack needed him and mine needed me. I would have resented him if he had ever asked me to choose my pack over him, so I couldn’t ask him to.
We would go our separate ways for now and hopefully, one day, we’d find our way back to each other. But if we didn’t, I’d have to learn how to be okay with that.
My wolf stretched out, and with our minds made up, we headed back to their pack house with less urgency than when we had left. Even if I knew it was the right thing to do, I was in no hurry to have my heart ripped from my chest.
After I got dressed, I checked my phone to find another flood of messages from Augie and several missed calls. I hit the call button and he answered on the first ring.
“What the fuck is going on over there?” he snapped.
I smiled. I loved when he cussed. He so rarely did it.
“A lot. I’m sorry for worrying you, but I’m okay now. Or at least, I will be one day. I won’t be home today like I said, but tomorrow instead. I’ll catch the first flight out.”
He let out a loud sigh. “Why does it sound like you and Liam won’t be coming back together?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it right now, but his pack needs him. Things are bad here, Augie. It’s been made clear I’m not welcome and it would be better to give their family some space. I need to focus on Raven Point and finding Declan, while Liam handles his pack.”
“Taya…” Augie warned. “Are you sure?”
“No, but it’s the only option I can see. I need to go back in the house and sort out a flight. I’ll text you the details later, okay?”
“I love you, Tay.”
“I love you, too. Talk soon.”
I hung up and put the phone in my pocket. Saying the words out loud had solidified my decision, but also had my heart pounding and palms sweating. If I didn’t get out of this pack soon, I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep my resolve in check.
When I arrived back in the house, I purposely walked past the office Liam had been in earlier, but the door was shut and I couldn’t hear any voices. I continued toward the room we had been shown earlier and, true to her word, Jamie was still waiting for me.
She stood from the bed, making her way to me before wrapping her arms around me. I returned the embrace, needing the support more than I realized.
She pulled back. “What did you decide?”
“I’m still leaving, but for different reasons. And it won’t be until tomorrow morning. It’s the right thing to do.”
“The right thing for who?” she challenged.
“For both our packs. They each need us to finish cleaning up the messes Declan left behind. Maybe when it’s all over, things can be different, but for now, this is it.”
“I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t agree with you. The two of you are stronger together, and defeating Declan is going to take a team effort. Splitting everyone up now isn’t going to do anyone any favors except Declan.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything else. I wasn’t going to change my mind and I didn’t want to argue with Jamie. I knew she meant well.
A knock sounded at the door and Caleb walked in without waiting for our reply. He went straight to Jamie and pulled her into his arms like his life depended on it. I could see the sorrow in his stormy blue eyes, but also saw how being near his mate eased the tension in his body. I wished I could have been that comfort for Liam.
I turned to walk away, but Jamie called for me. “Are you at least telling them?”
“Telling who what?” Caleb asked.
“Taya’s leaving. Without Liam.”
Caleb let out a low whistle. “When are you telling him?”
“Whenever I see him later, assuming I do.”
“He’s not going to be happy,” Caleb said.
“Well, sometimes we all have to deal with things that don’t make us happy. It’s called adulting. He’ll be fine.”
Caleb laughed. “Whatever you say, Firecracker. I just came to check on you guys. I have to get back, but we shouldn’t be too much longer. You ladies still good here?”
“Yeah, Addie brought our bags earlier and said we could join her in the kitchen if we were hungry.”
Huh. She must have done that when I was gone.
“Alright, see you soon.” Caleb kissed Jamie and waved at me as he walked back out the door.
The reminder of food made my stomach growl. The run had taken a lot of energy and it was well past dinner now.
“Care to show me who Addie is, so I can get some food?” I asked Jamie.
“Sure. I’m hungry, too. Maybe a full belly will knock some sense into you.”
I smiled, because I knew she was trying to lighten the mood, but I also knew there was nothing that was going to change my mind.
I instinctively slowed as we made our way past the office and noticed the door was cracked. I strained my hearing to see how things were going, but I soon regretted it. I should have minded my own damn business.
“Why did she even come? Liam, you need to clean up your mess and get it together. An alpha doesn’t have mistresses. We’ll be finding you a mate first thing.”
Jamie sucked in a breath as she tried to pull me along, but I locked my legs once again and waited for Liam’s reply.
“That’s enough, Mother. Taya is not a mess to be cleaned up. She is Liam’s mate.” Aiden’s voice was full of frustration, sounding similar to what I had brewing inside me.
“Is this true, Liam?” She ground out the words with rage.
Before I could hear his answer, someone came around the corner and outed us.
“What are you two doing?” the man demanded.
The deep voice made me jump, but Jamie was the first to react.
“We’re looking for the kitchen or Addie. I’m Caleb’s mate. Can you show us the way?”
At the mention of Caleb, the young man straightened his shoulders and softened his hard state. “Of course. Right this way.”
I took a quick glance back, just in time to make eye contact with Liam as he was staring out the door at us, but he didn’t follow, and I didn’t say anything. I had no doubt my face portrayed everything he needed to know. Jamie held on tightly to my hand, and I let her lead me away. I hadn’t heard Liam’s response, but maybe it was for the best. And just maybe, there was no happily ever after for us.