ΩMEGA

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kian

I watch Bridger as he loads bags into the bed of Char's truck. I was shocked when I found out that Char had a truck since she didn't look like someone who would drive such a big vehicle. But then I saw her standing next to it and realized that it suited her very well.

The omegas had given us many things to take on the trip like clothes and such. Currently, they all surround Jenna, each of them trying to get their last goodbyes with her pup.

Dr. Edkard – or Mint as he's been trying to get me to call him – sits down beside me. He huffs as he wipes sweat from his bushy brow. I talked to him yesterday about joining us and it took absolutely no convincing. He had said that he was planning to travel to the coast which I didn't understand what that had to do with anything until he explained that Alpha's Corzo's land is on the coast. I may have forgotten that detail when Bridger was explaining it to me. Dr. Edkard was also very excited after I explained to him exactly what I was doing and why I wanted him to come. He had said that he thought the rest of his "old" life was going to be "lackluster" until now. He said he's willing to come out of retirement until I can find someone to replace him.

I've never been to the coast. I know that when I lived in my old pack, Jason's dad would go there a lot. He really liked the coast. He had pictures of himself and his mate hanging up on their walls from their trips to the beach and islands. I remember seeing tall trees with odd leaves, water that goes on forever, and dirt that didn't really look like dirt at all – sand and Palm Trees as I was later told. I've only ever known thick woods, so I'm nervous but also excited for my new home and change of scenery.

But I'm also sad.

I stare at Bridger. He loads the last box onto Char's truck before pushing the tailgate up. He hits it two times and looks down at Char. Katie is hanging off of Char's back like a monkey but the older girl doesn't seem to mind. She and Bridger talk briefly before Bridger turns and starts walking towards me.

I stand up and stare at him. Something heavy settles over my chest when I realize that today might be the last time we see each other. Last night, we talked about this. He told me he didn't want to lose me; I felt the same way. I've grown greatly attached to Bridger over the last few months that the idea of losing him is like being punched in the chest. I've already lost Peyton and now it feels like I'm losing him too.

But Bridger said that we can work; that our relationship can stay alive, it'll just require more work. He explained Long Distance Relationships – we'd mostly be communicating through our phones. Afterwards, he asked if I'd be willing to do that, to talk to him through a glass box for a long time.

"It'll just be a year, but I'll work hard to make sure that I can come back to you."

His words made my stomach flutter. He really wanted to be with me and he's willing to quit the job he's trained all of his life to do it. I couldn't refuse to try this Long-Distance thing. He desperately tried to sell me on the idea, not knowing that I was already going to agree to do it without his lengthy explanation with examples. I chuckle a little, remembering how he kept rambling about phones, social media, and relationships. At some point, it stopped making sense to me.

"Why are you laughing?" Bridger asks.

"You're just funny," I say only for Char to add,

"Yeah! Funny looking."

Bridger turns to look at her, no doubt glaring. She laughs loudly as she opens the door for Katie and helps her climb into the truck. Char gets in and waves at us before starting the engine. They leave first. I watch Jenna say her final goodbyes to the omegas before putting her pup into the car seat in Dr. Edkard's car.