Page 9 of Mercy & Her Devils

Dad’s neglect, however, allowed Thomas and me to grow up raised by a Beta nanny, alone in a bubble along with Gabriel.

I hardly knew what it meant to be treated as a true Omega.

Well, I didn’t, until I was matched with Fletcher. He’s spent the last year conditioning me in isolation — helping me, he says — to learn the rules.

Once, Gabriel and Thomas promised me a life filled with love, warmth, and equality.

But now, I know that we’d been kids, hiding from the world and dreaming up a better one.

Shit, I wish that it was true.

But this world…? It’s dark, cold, and corrupt.

It scares me.

When Fletcher’s expression tightens, I force myself off the couch, smoothing down my dress. Then I avoid Thomas’ eye and step toward Fletcher, before dropping to kneel in front of my Alpha.

I wince as my knees hit the hard marble.

Just breathe.

I can feel Fletcher’s emotions through the bond.

If I hadn’t been flooded with such powerful emotions myself earlier — fear and panic — I’d have been able to feel his before now.

A year ago, when my bond first hit, I felt connected to Fletcher in a way that I could never have prepared myself for. I could sense his emotions and needs.

Deep in my gut, I knew that I belonged to him.

But not that he belonged to me.

The touch of him, even inside my mind, had felt wrong and invasive.

It wasn’t how it was shown in the romantic movies, where a bond surged joy through the Omega, and she knew that she was loved and accepted. Sometimes, singing a song about it in the corniest television college ABO shows.

She knew in that moment that she was where she was fated to be.

I don’t.

I quest along the bond, trying to sense Fletcher’s emotions that have always been muted and carefully kept under control.

Even in the bond, he’s hard to read.

Don’t let my Alpha be angry.

Not today.

Not in front of my twin.

“Welcome home, Alpha.” I follow the rules by not raising my head to meet Fletcher’s gaze.

I feel his strong finger underneath my chin, tipping back my head to meet his gaze.

My breath catches.

I can feel it: a contentment tinged with fondness.

He’s had a good day at work.

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