18. Ross

Three months ago

The day of Grayson's Party

S ilver

I'm exhausted, and I don't have energy. I keep moving one foot after the other until I get to the Mansion of the address I have memorized. It's so pretty, just like I always dreamed.

I'm not even jealous. I just hope she doesn't hate me.

Onyx.

I just want to say goodbye.

I'm so tired.

I failed.

I trudge up the drive and cut across the lawns. My feet drag on the lawn, but I don't have the energy to lift them. I just need to make it a little bit further.

This is the end

And I'm okay with that.

Present Day

Ian's leaning back on the couch with Silver curled up in his arms. We've just gotten back from our trip to the Silver Rocks Resort, where we stayed in the penthouse, free of charge, while Onyx and Silver attempted to mend their strained relationship. All of us are exhausted but happy to be home. It's going to be a work in progress to get those sisters comfortable with each other.

But Pack Treyfield was gracious, and Falcon and Silas themselves apologised to Silver for being so blind. She was shocked and told them it wasn't their fault. She had looked across at me, smiling softly, and said ‘it all worked out the way it was supposed to'. I think my heart burst out of its chest and dragged itself to lie at her feet.

I strum my guitar and play her favourite song. She turns her head towards me and smiles.

"So, there's been some news," Soren says, tugging Hazel into the room. Onyx and Dylan follow a moment later.

"Oh, what kind of news?" West asks with a distinct lack of interest.

"The kind of news we like." Soren beams. "The kind where a certain pack was picked up with weapons, drugs, and an assortment of charges."

I sit up and forward, listening intently. "A certain CEO bought out their business and ruined them. Everyone, bless our friend in scarlet. Treyfield bought the scraps of that business and sold all the different parts for a dime. No lawyer will touch them. No one will hire them. Nor will anyone help them."

I exhale and close my eyes. The assholes who hurt my omega are done. Stripped of everything but their lives. And I'm sure they won't keep those long.

Silver sits up and touches her hair. It's a nervous habit that she can't get rid of. "What about Brandy? They were her pack, weren't they?"

"Oh, she's a true rat, that one. She scurried away and found another pack to keep her afloat. Don't you feel sorry for her!" Ian growls. "She's going to get what's coming to her, too."

"They aren't getting out of prison, Silver. They might not have paid for what they did to you, but they will suffer for the rest of their lives. We took their things, their home, their omega, their safety, their security, and we put them in a cage." Dylan sits beside her and takes her hand. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You're our family, and we were wrong."

She sniffles. "You had reason not to trust your family. I've met Silas' mother, remember."

Dylan chuckles and stands up. He drifts back to Onyx, their hands lacing like they're magnets.

"Angel's found enough on them to make it stick, but it wasn't until Pack Raptore went deep and dug it up that we really got a big break. Sven, of course, insisted on being involved." Hazel snickers and leans on Soren.

"It was a team effort!" Onyx says.

"I think…" Silver clears her throat. "I think you'll find information linking them to starting the fire that killed our parents."

Onyx stares at her. "Oh, Silver."

I think we're all thinking about Silver lashing out and blaming Onyx for the fire.

"I just wanted someone to look, to investigate," Silver whispers. "I am truly sorry, Onyx. What I said was unforgivable!"

Onyx rushes to hug her, and the twins embrace.

I change the tune I'm playing. As always, Silver hears the song and turns towards me, her lips curling up. Onyx pulls back, sniffling.

"I wrote you a song."

"You wrote me a song," She repeats back.

"Sing with me."

She shakes her head, but I know she will. She stands up and moves towards me like she can't help it. When our voices raise, it's a perfect blending.

The song is about second chances, missed opportunities, and love lost and found again. Our friends fall silent, as I expected they would. I will show the world this exceptional omega. I will show them how talented and beautiful she is. And always, I will show everyone she is mine.

"Wow," Onyx murmurs. "I didn't know you could sing."

Silver shrugs. "I don't normally."

"You're superb," Hazel says.

Silver blushes, but she sits straighter.

"Okay, you all need to leave," Weston says loudly.

"West!" Ian hisses.

"No, I shared her enough. They need to go. I need my omega."

Silver laughs, and it's so beautiful that, again, the room pauses.

"I haven't heard her laugh like that since we were kids," Onyx murmurs. I'm not meant to hear it, but it makes my throat tighten, and it takes me a moment to clear it.

"Come on, let's leave Pack Vore to your sister. I've got plans with Silas and whipped cream tonight," Dylan teases.

I did not need to know that.

Onyx stumbles in her step. "Huh. Can I play?"

Dylan smiles. "Of course."

Hazel drags Soren out with her, laughing and waving over her shoulder.

"It's nice," Silver says with a soft smile.

"What's nice? West? That wasn't nice, he was being greedy," Ian grumbles.

"No, having friends again. Having my sister back."

Ian pauses, and then grips her chin and turns her face to his. "I would give you everything your heart desires, Silver, because I think you deserve it."

"Ian," she protests weakly.

"We all would," I say and start strumming another tune. It's a new song, and I can tell she is listening.

Weston and Quinton move to sit opposite her on the coffee table.

"What's going on?" She asks nervously.

I start to sing. The song is about a woman with raven dark hair and a beautiful soul. Who stole our hearts and ran. It's about finding her again and filling the hole she left behind.

West holds out a gift. It's wrapped in shiny silver paper. She takes it and opens it while I play the same refrain over and over.

"It's a key." She looks up at them, confused.

"It's one key, but it's all of our homes. But if you feel like you need to be safe and have your own house, we will give you a house that's yours. Just yours," West murmurs.

"And we know you're part of the pack, but we'd like it if you changed your name, became Pack Vore officially," Quint says.

"We know you don't want to get married, and that's fine. But we want to make you happy. We want to give you whatever you need to feel safe."

She blinks and looks around in surprise. "I don't understand. You already did that. I just need you."

I clear my throat. "Jenny Lathem called as well. She heard about what's going on from Hazel. She'd like to offer you a position working at the refuge. No, for the refuge. She said she's looking to retire soon, and she wants someone who wants to take over. She couldn't imagine it being anyone else but you. You'll be directing the refuge and working with Adrian and Jade."

"But," Silver looks around, her blue eyes huge. "I had to leave."

"Because the funding ran out, and the time limit is three years. It's designed to give new people a chance to cycle in. Jenny tried to find you the night of the charity auction with a contract, but you'd disappeared. And things happened."

She smiles. It's soft and full of wonder. "I can help more people? I can work there?"

"You can work or not work or do whatever you desire, Silver. Anything you want. We'll give it to you," West says to her and picks up her hand. He brings it to his lips and kisses her palm.

I put my guitar down and cross the space, yanking her up. "We've having a game night. Oh, and you and I are going on a trip. I need you to meet my friends Locke and Ryn Raines."

"Who are they? Wait…you don't mean Locke? Like the rockstar? The lead singer of Derision? Locke? You know him?" Silver's eyes are wide as she stares back at me.

"Ryn is far more talented!" I say with a laugh. "She writes half of his songs."

Silver is wheezing. It's so cute.

"Those two people are going to absolutely love you! I also got tickets to see Fate's Choice play. I know you like their music. I play it for you a lot."

Silver lets out a little squeal and throws herself into my arms. "Really? All of us? Can we go to a concert? I've never been to one."

There are so many firsts, so many new experiences we will give to this woman. And one promise that we all will keep. She will be safe and happy forever, even if it kills us.

West jumps up and races off. "I'm grabbing the snacks."

Ian follows behind me as I lead the way into the depths of the house.

"This is what you want?" Ian asks our omega. "You don't want a fancy dinner? Go to a hotel? A car? Anything, Silver, I'll give you anything."

Silver stops between us, her hand resting on Ian's chest.

"I want you. Just you. This pack. Us together."

"Then you've got it, Omega. You can have me and my pack forever."

"And a day?"

"And everything that comes after," I promise. The words are echoed back through our bonds. This is the omega we chose, the one we love, the one we deserve. The omega who deserves us.