Chapter 57

The sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I stretched languidly, feeling the comforting presence of my alphas all around me. Jin was already up, his side of the bed cool to the touch, a sure sign he’d been awake for a while.

The sound of hushed voices drifted in from the other room. I recognized Pietro’s thick Russian accent, his words too low for me to discern. I rose from the nest, a sense of unease prickling at the back of my mind. Something had happened—I could feel it in the tightness of the air.

I found Pietro in the living room, his broad frame rigid with tension. He was on the phone, his knuckles white as he clutched the device in his hand. “Understood,” he said, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine. He ended the call and turned to face me, his dark eyes meeting mine with a mixture of relief and regret.

“Darcy,” he began, his voice strained, “I have news.”

I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest. “What is it?” I asked, my own voice barely above a whisper.

Pietro took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. “Sean McCarthy is dead,” he said, watching me closely for my reaction.

A rush of emotions flooded through me—shock, relief, guilt. My father was gone, and with him, the shadow that had loomed over my life for as long as I could remember. I should have felt elated, but all I could think about was the fact that he was still my father, despite everything.

I probably should talk to Dr. Parsons about this because feeling guilt probably isn’t healthy.

Pietro must have seen the conflict in my eyes because he was suddenly on his knees before me, his hands reaching for mine. “Darcy,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “I am sorry it took us so long to put an end to his tyranny. I should have acted sooner.”

I shook my head, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “No, Pietro,” I said, squeezing his hands tightly. “You did what you could. I never doubted that I was safe with you—with all of you.”

He looked up at me, his eyes searching mine for understanding. “But still, I failed to protect you from his machinations, from his cruelty. I should have—”

“Stop,” I interrupted him, kneeling down to meet his gaze. “You didn’t fail me. You gave me a family, a place where I finally feel like I belong. That’s more than I ever had with him.”

Pietro’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, his shoulders relaxing slightly under my touch. “You are our heart, Darcy,” he murmured, his voice filled with conviction. “We will always fight for you, protect you.”

I reached out to cup his cheek, my thumb brushing over the stubble that shadowed his jaw. “I know,” I said softly. “And I will always stand by your side, by all of your sides. We’re a pack, after all.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Pietro’s lips, and he leaned into my touch. “Yes, we are,” he agreed, his eyes shining with a fierce pride. “And together, we will face whatever comes our way.”

The sound of footsteps drew our attention, and we turned to see Jin, Axel, and Harlen standing in the doorway, their faces a mix of concern and relief. “Is everything okay?” Jin asked, his gaze flickering between Pietro and me.

“Everything’s fine,” I assured them, rising to my feet and pulling Pietro up with me. “We’ve just had some news.”

“Sean McCarthy is dead,” Pietro announced, his voice carrying across the room. The reactions were varied—Jin’s eyes widened slightly, Axel let out a low whistle, and Harlen simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

“It’s over,” I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions that swirled within me. “We can finally start to build a life together, without the shadow of my father looming over us.”

Axel stepped forward, wrapping an arm around my shoulders in a comforting embrace. “You’re right, Darcy,” he said, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “We have a future to look forward to, and no one is going to take that away from us.”

Jin moved to stand on my other side, his hand finding mine in a silent show of support. “We’re with you, Darcy,” he said, his voice soft but firm. “Always.”

I looked up at each of my alphas in turn, my heart swelling with love and gratitude for the incredible men that fate had bound me to. “Together,” I agreed, knowing that with them by my side, I could face anything.

I revved the engine of my bike, the familiar rumble vibrating through my chest as I navigated the concrete veins of New York City. The scent of oil and metal hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the city’s relentless pulse. I was heading toward The Vultures’ NYC chapter, a place that had become a second home to me.

As I pulled into the familiar lot, the sound of my bike echoed off the walls of the warehouse that served as the new clubhouse. I cut the engine and dismounted, my boots thudding against the asphalt. The doors parted like a sea of steel, and I stepped into the dimly lit interior, the scent of tobacco and leather wrapping around me like an old friend.

Torch was hunched over a pool table, his focus on the game at hand. The clack of billiard balls punctuated the air as I approached. He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly before breaking into a grin of recognition.

“Doc,” he greeted, leaning on his cue. “Didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”

I nodded, my gaze steady. “I need to talk to you, Torch.”

He straightened, sensing the seriousness in my tone. “Alright, let’s hear it.”

We found a quiet corner, away from the prying ears of the other members. I took a deep breath, weighing my words carefully. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking,” I began, my voice steady despite the weight of my decision. “I want to stay in the city, be closer to Darcy.”

Torch raised an eyebrow, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “The omega’s got your gears turning, huh?”

I met his gaze unflinchingly. “She’s my scent match, Torch. It’s not just about that, though. I’ve got a responsibility to her, to keep her safe. I can’t do that if I’m constantly on the road.”

Torch leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. “You think staying here will keep her safer?”

“I know it will,” I replied firmly. “Besides, I can be more useful to the club if I’m stationary. Help with the rebuild.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression thoughtful. “You’ve always been a nomad at heart, Doc. This is a big change.”

I nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words. “I’ve been a nomad because I hadn’t found a reason to stay put. Now I have.”

Torch let out a low chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. “You’re not the only one who’s noticed the change in you, you know. The whole club’s been talking about it.”

I frowned, a spark of defensiveness flickering within me. “And what’s the verdict?”

He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his grin widening. “Hell, they think it’s about time you settled down. Said you’ve been a grumpy son of a bitch.”

The tension in my shoulders eased slightly at his words. “So, you’ll allow it?”

“Hell, Doc, you don’t need my permission,” Torch said, his tone sincere. “You’ve more than proved your worth to this club. If staying here is what you need to do, then you have my full support.”

Relief washed over me, followed closely by a sense of gratitude. “Thanks, Torch. I appreciate it.”

He gave my shoulder a squeeze before releasing it. “Just don’t forget about us when you’re off playing house with your omega and the rest of your mismatched pack.”

I chuckled, the sound rich with irony. “Trust me, I couldn’t forget if I tried.”

Torch nodded, his gaze shifting toward the entrance of the clubhouse. “Speaking of your pack, I’ve got a feeling they’ll be glad to hear you’re sticking around.”

I followed his gaze, my thoughts drifting to Darcy, Jin, Pietro, and Harlen. They had become my family, my pack, in such a short time. The bond we shared was unlike anything I’d ever experienced, and the thought of being closer to them filled me with a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt in years.

“Yeah,” I agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “I think they will be, too.”