40. Sam

Chapter 40

Sam

O n the drive back to the fire station, my mind is racing with thoughts of Lily, our pack and the promise of what's to come when I finish my shift. I can still smell her on my skin, that intoxicating blend of lily, vanilla and sweet omega that makes my alpha instincts go haywire.

As I pull into the fire station, I take a deep breath, trying to focus. I'm on shift for another four hours, and I need to keep my head in the game. Lives depend on it.

"There you are, Knightley!" the Chief calls out as I walk in. "Did you get that blasted feline out of that fucking tree?"

I grin. "I swear Mrs Harris does it on purpose just for the company."

"Ah well, can't blame her. John covered you, but it was quiet as a church in here."

"Yeah, not really the world's busiest fire station, is it?"

"No, but you never know."

"True," I say, nodding, my thoughts drifting back to mating with Lily.

Before either of us can say another word, the alarms blare, cutting through the station like a knife. We exchange ‘typical' stares, blaming each other for the sudden onslaught of noise before we both dive into action.

"We've got a car accident on the A591. Possible entrapment," the Chief shouts moments later as the boys and I are gearing up.

My heart rate kicks up a notch as we scramble into the engine. This is the real deal, the reason I became a firefighter: to help people and to make a difference.

As we race towards the scene, sirens blaring, I run through protocols in my head. Stay calm, assess the situation, and prioritise safety. It's second nature by now, but I still like to remind myself.

We arrive to find a mess of twisted metal. Two cars have collided head-on, and it's clear right away that this is serious. The acrid smell of petrol and burnt rubber fills the air, mixing with the unmistakable scent of fear and pain.

"Mitchell, take the blue car. I've got the red," I shout as we leap into action.

The driver of the red car is conscious but trapped, the dashboard crumpled around his legs.

"Hey there," I say, keeping my voice calm and steady as I approach the wreckage. "I'm Sam. What's your name?"

"Ph-Phil," he stammers, his eyes wide with panic. His face is pale, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead.

"Alright, Phil. I'm going to get you out of here, okay? But first, I need to know if you're hurt anywhere besides your legs."

He shakes his head, wincing at the movement. "I don't... I don't think so. Just my legs. I can't feel them."

I nod, already assessing the best way to extract him. The car's frame is badly warped, making a standard extraction impossible. We're going to need the jaws of life for this one.

"That's okay, Phil. We're going to take care of you. Just stay with me, okay?" I maintain eye contact with him as I signal to my team for the hydraulic spreader.

As I work to free Phil, I can hear Mitchell talking to the occupants of the other car. A family, by the sounds of it. A mother's worried voice, a child's frightened cry. A pang goes through me as I think of Lily, of our future together. This is why I do what I do, to make sure families get to go home at the end of the day.

The next moments are a blur of focused intensity. The screech of metal as we pry the car apart, the constant reassurances to Phil, the careful coordination with the paramedics standing by. It's gruelling work, but there's a rhythm to it, a dance of skill and determination.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we manage to create enough space to safely extract Phil. As the paramedics move in with a backboard, I hold his hand, offering what comfort I can.

"You're doing great, Phil. Just a little bit longer, okay?"

As they load him into the ambulance, he catches my eye. "Thank you," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I thought... I thought I was going to die in there."

I squeeze his hand gently, feeling a surge of pride and humility. "You're tougher than you think, Phil. You're going to be just fine."

As we watch the ambulances pull away, Mitchell comes to stand beside me. The adrenaline is starting to wear off, leaving me feeling drained but satisfied.

"Good work," Mitchell says, his voice gruff with admiration. "You've got a real knack for keeping people calm."

I shrug, but I can't help the small surge of pride. "Back at you and just doing my job."

We spend the next hour cleaning up the scene, working with the police to clear the road and make it safe for traffic again. There's a certain satisfaction in restoring order to chaos.

Thankfully, the rest of the shift passes without any more incidents, and as I'm changing out of my gear at the end of my shift, the Chief pokes his head into the locker room. "Good work today, all of you."

"Thanks, Chief."

"Now get out of here. I'm sure you've all got somewhere else to be."

"See you next shift," I call out as he ducks back out and waves his folder at me as he walks away.

As I drive towards the farmhouse, the familiar landscape of the Lake District rolls by, the early evening sun casting shadows across the fields.

I think about Lily, Max, and Jack, about the life we're building together, and I realise that as much as I love being a firefighter and the rush of saving lives, there's something even more powerful waiting for me at home.

A family. A pack. A future.

The weight of the day's events settles on me as I drive. The fear in Phil's eyes, the relief when we got him out. The constant edge between life and death is my job. It's a heavy burden sometimes, but one I've always been proud to bear. It's my calling.

As I pull up to the farmhouse, I can see lights on inside. The old stone building looks warm and inviting, a beacon of home and family.

I take a deep breath, savouring this moment. The end of one chapter, the beginning of another. The scents of the countryside - grass, earth, and the faint aroma of wildflowers - mingle with the lingering smell of smoke on my skin.

Stepping out of the car, I head towards the house. When I reach the front door and place my hand on the handle, I'm filled with a sense of rightness, of coming home in every sense of the word.

Lily is here, and everything about that is perfect.