Aria's Second Chance

3_Farewell

Aria

“You better start packing, Aria,” Amelia orders and I pull away from Rick. “We need to get you out of the pack’s borders before Bradley finds out.”

“I’m not leaving Evan,” I say firmly as I pull the biggest duffle bag I own from my closet.

“It never crossed my mind,” she assures me.

“You were the one that said he cannot see me like this,” I state as I start packing my clothes. “How am I taking him with me without seeing me?”

“I’m working on it,” Amelia sighs. “Just keep packing.”

I have so many concerns and questions, but Amelia has already left the room and I am alone in the room, painfully aware of the body on my bed. I am still struggling to come to terms with what Rick and Amelia told me about Bruce and Bradley.

The pieces fit the puzzle, but my brain refuses to see the picture. I was raised with the idea that your mate would love and support you no matter what. That is the example I had from my parents and Amelia and Rick. Why did I not have with Bruce what they have? Was I a terrible mate? Was I too self-absorbed to realize that I am failing Bruce’s expectations?

I wish I could ask him these things. Or that I did not know these things and then I would not question myself and my abilities as a mate. It is unfair of me to blame Bruce solely for our problems. Surely, I had faults that contributed to this. I will never know, and this will haunt me for an eternity.

Thinking of what is in store for me, frightens me. I know Amelia and Rick will do everything to help me, but I know they are taking a huge risk to help me. They have their own lives and children. If Bradley ever learns that they helped, he will kill them. And I will not be able to go on with my life knowing that I am the reason for their suffering or deaths. I am already responsible for Rick’s demotion.

“Are you done?” Amelia walks into the room. “I have arranged …”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” I say adamantly. “I cannot allow you to help me any longer.”

“What are you talking about?” Amelia frowns. “Of course, we’re going to help.”

“No,” I shake my head and throw my bag over my shoulder. “Bradley will kill you if he finds out you’ve helped, and I will not have it.”

“You’re my baby sister, Aria,” Amelia sighs. “And it is my responsibility to help.”

“I love you and I appreciate what you’re doing, but I cannot allow it,” I say firmly as I walk to Evan’s room to pack his things. “Think about your own children, Amelia. You know Rick better than I do. What would he do to your girls and are you willing to risk them?”

“We will ensure that he doesn’t find out,” Amelia sounds less certain than a moment ago.

“Wake up, Amelia,” I shout at her in frustration. “You’ve already tried to help me by talking to him. Naturally, you’ll be the first suspect when he’s looking for me.”

Amelia starts crying and I sigh in defeat as I drop my bag to hug her.

“I love you,” I whisper as she sobs against my shoulder. “You have the perfect family. You must protect that.”

“But what about you?” she pulls away and wipes her eyes.

“Evan and I will be just fine,” I say with courage that I do not possess. “I have survived Bruce; I will survive this too.”

“Will I ever see you again?” Amelia asks sadly as I pack Evan’s things.

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “But I will find a way to let you know we are safe when I can.”

“I hate this,” Amelia wipes more tears.

“So do I,” I whisper as I fight my own emotions. This is the first time that Amelia and I will not be in the same town. The first time that we will not be able to communicate daily.

“This is going to be hard,” I bite the tears away. “But we can do it. We must. For our children.”

“Are you ladies ready to go?” Rick interrupts us.

“No,” I shake my head and hug him tightly. “You are going home to your daughters, and you will never speak of this night to anyone. I’m going to take Evan and we are going to disappear. When Bradley asks, you haven’t seen or heard from me since lunch. Understand?”

“Aria, I don’t like this,” Rick frowns.

“It is the only way to keep your family safe, Rick,” I smile sadly. “We must accept it for what it is and move on.”

“We’ll miss you,” Rick nods as he lets me go.

“I know,” I sigh. “Now, get home. I’ll be there shortly to pick up Evan. Please bring him to the car, I don’t want your girls to see me like this.”

Quickly I go through the things I have packed to ensure that I took all the necessities. I rummage into Bruce’s wallet and am relieved to find five hundred dollars, which I put in my pocket. With trembling fingers, I buy two airline tickets for me and Evan to Canada with Bruce’s credit card. Hastily, I make a couple of sandwiches and pack them in along with fruit and other snacks. Lastly, I grab bottles of water and load them into Bruce’s SUV.

I do not waste any time when I park at Amelia’s house. Rick escorts Evan outside and fastens him in his car seat.

“He had dinner and it won’t be long before he’s asleep,” Rick smiles before he closes the door.

Anxiety threatens to smother me as I pass the guards by the gates, but they hardly take a second look when they recognise Bruce’s car. I release the breath that was stuck in my chest as I watch the pack’s gate getting smaller in the rear-view mirror.

I stop at the first ATM that I can find. Quickly, I withdraw the maximum money available from my accounts. Once I am done, I bend the cards and break them before I throw them in the trash. Evan is asleep when I park at the bus terminal, and I sigh in relief. Hopefully, he would be too sleepy to notice my condition. I pull a hoody over my dress and put on sunglasses. I know I am going to look ridiculous as sh*t, but I do not care. It is still an improvement on my face.

I throw the bags over my shoulder before I pick up a sleeping Evan. The weight of everything is sheer torture for my injuries, but I fight through it. I will only be able to relax when we are out of town.

It is a tremendous struggle buying the tickets with a sleeping toddler on one arm and baggage on the other. But with the kind assistants from employees, Evan and I are finally on a bus. The look the stewardess gives me is a mixture of horror and pity. Bravely, I smile before I ask her to keep an eye on Evan before I quickly step off the bus and take out my phone.

“Hello,” Bradley says brusquely after the second ring.

“Bruce nearly beat me to death tonight,” I say without greeting.

“I don’t interfere with his domestic affairs,” he barks at me. “I cannot help you.”

“I’m not asking for your help, you son of a b*tch,” I hiss.

“How dare you speak like that to your alpha?” he bellows.

“You’re not my alpha,” I reply coolly. “And you’re a lousy alpha and a shitty brother. This is a courtesy call to inform you that I’m leaving. I’m no longer part of your pack.”

“Don’t make me laugh,” he sneers. “Bruce will never allow you to leave, and he will never leave the pack.”

“You dense imbecile,” I grunt. “I’m leaving him and the pack. Do you need illustrations to understand?”

“Where’s Bruce?” Bradley shouts. “Either he teaches you manners on how to speak with your superior or I will.”

“He left thirty minutes ago,” I lie smoothly. “Phone him or check with the guards at the gate. Maybe they know where he is.”

“For someone that claims to be beaten to death, you run your mouth quite a lot,” he jeers. “I’m on my way. Leave the door unlocked or things will only get worse.”

“Don’t you listen?” I say quickly. The last thing I want is for him to go to the house right now. “I’ve left, but if you want to waste your time at an empty house, go ahead.”

“I will find you within the hour,” he laughs sadistically. “And then I’m going to enjoy continuing where my brother left off.”

“Good luck, motherfucker,” I sneer and disconnect. I switch the phone off and get onto the bus. Smiling at the stewardess, I go to the bathroom and smash the phone before I flush it down the toilet. Satisfied that I will keep Bradley and his men searching for me the entire night and avoid the house, I take my seat and close my eyes in exhaustion.