Page 126 of Puck & Her Blades

I won’t allow him to be left out of such a life changing intimacy.

Yet the connection through the emotions isn’t only to my Alphas. It also coils out to the other bonded member, Cygnus, as well.

It tells me that they belong to me, as I belong to them.

I can feel Cygnus: sweet but sleepy.

I can sense his aches and tightness in his chest that I didn’t know he suffered from all the time.

Can he feel my chronic pain as well?

It’s intimate in a whole new way.

Jackson is a revelation because underneath the surface, he doesn’t feel cold at all.

He’s strong, possessive, and protective.

Yet beneath that, there’s a wave of anguish, which is agonizing.

Then there’s Zev, who feels reckless and so joyful that my eyes snap open.

Now I understand why.

Zev is dancing around the small cottage like a punk’s wet dream to The Pretty Reckless’ “Pretty Medicine.” He’s rocking out in the truly carefree way that people do, when they don’t think that anyone can see them.

He’s still the best dancer that I’ve ever seen.

He’s wearing nothing but the red leather pair of trousers with chains that I’m coming to love because they’re so tight. Maybe he’s a devil because he doesn’t appear to feel the cold.

Well, his pierced nipples do because they’re perky.

He’s a beautiful sight.

Even more beautiful because he’s wrapped glittery silver tinsel around his neck like a scarf.

He’s not the only thing that he’s decorated.

The entire bleak cottage has been decorated for Christmas.

Fairy lights have been strung around the white washed walls. A miniature fir tree stands beside the roaring fire, which is hung with robin decorations. The couch is covered with a red blanket, which is embroidered with elves and the words in green: On The Naughty List and I Regret Nothing.

Wow, a rebel blanket.

My throat is tight.

I missed last Christmas, since I was trapped inside the Institute.

Omegas in the Institute aren’t allowed to celebrate the holidays. I thought that stuck away in the Omega Cottage, I’d miss it this year as well. I’d come to accept it because the Alpha Cup wouldn’t finish until the New Year.

But now, I’m bonded.

Now, I have a pack.

My heart swells, and I push myself up on my elbow, indulging myself with watching Zev for a moment longer, while he doesn’t know that I’ve woken up.

There’s something special about catching him unguarded like this — free.

His spirit burns bright.

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