Page 60 of Shattered Omega: Part Three

“It sounded like it,” I said, then added. “Though he didn’t know he was at the time.”

“The problem remained, that if the bond required acceptance, and that acceptance was given, that leaves it more stable than if it was forced.”

“So we’re back to square one?”

“In a way. If it’s stable, that means it’s predictable. But it also means you may be beholden to the laws that already exist in order to rid them of it. In this case…”

“They have to give it up…” I swallowed. Flynn had to give up the bond for Umbra and Dusk to be free. “That’s… that’s unfair.”

“Not all contracts are fair.”

“What about cleaving? Could the packs separate somehow?”

“Even if I could imagine how to adapt cleaving to such circumstances, I wouldn’t recommend it. Playing with the unknown when it comes to these packs and bonds can result in painful deaths. Auras can become untethered, or devour their hosts whole.”

“So… you’re saying… there’s no other way.”

“I’m sorry, Shatter. I wish I had a better answer for you. But if your pack wishes to rid itself of this bond, the parasite must either give it up, or…” He trailed off, not meeting my eyes.

“Or I have to heal the aura sickness,” I said.

The Lincoln pack would never let that bond go—not if it risked their auras. And to heal them, I would have to accept their offer of a princess bond.

I’d come all this way, and still, all paths led to the same place.

TWENTY-ONE

DUSK

It wasn’t until late in the afternoon that there was a light knock on the door. I dived toward it in an instant, Ransom on my heels.

My heart skipped a beat as I wrenched it open, afraid it wouldn’t be her, but?—

“Shatter!”

It was her.

Relief almost closed my throat as I found guilty golden eyes peering up at me from a mess of honey brown locks. I couldn’t move, frozen in absolute silence as she slipped in and let me close the door behind her.

Ransom barrelled past me, grabbing her and drawing her into a hug.

“Fuck, Shatter.” His voice was choked.

“I know…” She clutched him, voice rough. “I didn’t mean you to worry.”

I didn’t take my eyes from her. “Where did you go?”

“Ummm…” She swallowed, extracting herself from Ransom and taking in my expression. She rapped her knuckles anxiously, hunching her shoulders, eyes darting about. “I can’t say.”

“You…” I trailed off, indignance replacing relief. “You can’t say?”

She straightened her back, holding my eyes with shaky defiance. “I won’t say.”

“Shatter.” My voice was dangerous as I stepped up to her, catching her chin between my fingers. “You were gone all day. The Lincoln pack are watching us. They want you.”

“I… I was with Roxy. I was safe.”

Roxy?

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