Page 126 of The Beta's Bargain

“When we find you, Onyx, you’ll accept everything we offer, bonds and forever. I'm not losing you again,” Dylan growls. “That's the deal.”

Her eyes are wide behind the mask.

“That's the decision?” She asks

“Yes,” I say in silky seduction. “That is our decision, and it's not going to change.”

Dylan grabs the back of her neck and kisses her. When he lets her go, she sways back, stumbling.

“Ten minute head start,” Dylan growls. “I’ll be seeing you soon, Onyx.”

She reaches the doors and looks back. The Queen of Hearts and the queen of our hearts challenging us to chase her, to find her, to hunt her. To prove our love, and earn her forgiveness.

thirty-seven

Onyx

My braid is long gone. But I've left the mask on. The man inside the convenience store gave me a look like he thought I was insane, but I don’t care.

I pace the depths of the alley, back and forth, and check the time again. I’ve been here for two hours, but I'm getting nervous. They have one and a half left. Will they appear?

Is this the right choice? All I need to do is go somewhere else. Go home. They won’t find me, and I can live an extraordinarily boring life without them. The idea turns my stomach, though.

Perhaps that was a fleeting option in my mind at the start, but their words have caught something inside me and set it blazing. Perhaps it was just even seeing them. Instead of living with their ghosts, I got to see the real versions, and they are my weakness.

What of bonds? I’ve heard rumours that betas can be bonded. It’s not the same as an alpha to alpha bond, or an omega bond, but there is some extra feeling. But having that ring of silver scars on my skin, proclaiming my belonging to them? Do I really want that? I can’t bond them back, but I can take them. I can be theirs forever.

Now, my brain is running with what ifs. What if I could have a forever with them? What if they are serious and are offering bonds? What if they aren’t? What if I accept them? What if? What if? What if?

Do I want them?

Yes.

I want them in my life in any capacity.

Do I love them?

There was never a question. My heart beats for the Treyfield pack.

Well, I laid down the challenge. Whether they appear is still undecided.

I still can’t believe the audacity of myself. But I can’t deny I want them to prove themselves to me, I want them to fight for me. Just this once. Prove that I'm important, that I mean more to them than just an employee, just a secret bargain, just the beta they are fucking.

If they want me, they need to show me that I'm more.

A sound has me spinning. I have to step quickly to catch myself on these towering heels, but then I see the huge shape of a man in the alley's mouth.

My heart races, and I chuckle. I can't believe it. They found me. I laugh again, louder, pull off the mask, and swipe at my eyes.

“You found me.”

Dylan snarls at Silas. “It took us a while to find wings with the right assortment of sauces.” But when he looks at me, there’s hope and fear in his eyes. “We found them, and we’re here.” His voice softens to an intimate murmur that makes my eyes water.

My heart beats double time as Falcon appears. He looks around curiously.

“This is where you saved Dylans’ life,” Falcon says with satisfaction, like I’ve done something exactly the way he wanted me to do it. Like he expected this of me.

I look around. Dylan. I came here for Dylan.

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