Page 41 of Broken Bonds

Well, everything inside of me is screaming that it’s time I step in.Watching her slowly fade away is too difficult for me to handle. I must do something.

I slow my truck and park it near her SUV, then shut off the engine and hop out. My palms are sweaty, and my heart feels like it might jump out of my chest and run away, but I don’t let any of that show outwardly. I rub my hands on my jeans, the fabric rough against my skin, before I knock on the door.

A few moments pass before the door opens slightly, and through the crack I see her emerald eyes glancing in my direction. It’s already past noon, yet her hair is still a total disaster on top of her head and she’s still wearing her sleeping clothes. The moment she notices it’s me, her brows knit together and a look of confusion spreads across her features.

“Forde? What are you doing here?” she asks groggily.

I unconsciously clear my throat and my hand moves to the back of my head as my nerves become more intense now that I’m in her presence. Knowing that the most negative outcome would be her rejecting me, I still feel anxious. I’m desperate to help the omega before me, to witness her growth and resurrection like a phoenix reborn from the embers.

I know she’s capable of dragging herself out of the personal Hell she’s stuck in. Even though, right now everything may appear hopeless, there’s still a lot for her to look forward to and cherish in life. I just need to get her to see that.

In an instant, my vision is altered, and I see an entirely different omega standing in front of me in place of Ramsey. I feel my jaw clench as Celia turns to look at me with an emotionless gaze, her face gaunt and her body so thin that it’s clear she had been refusing to eat for a long time. I try to force the image away with a shake of my head, and when I look up again, I find Ramsey in front of me with a face full of concern as she moves the door further open.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I say, clearing my throat. “Sorry ‘bout that. I, uh… I stopped by to… I mean… No pressure, but I was just wondering…”

I’m struggling to find the right words, and the more I search, the more hesitant I become. Taking a deep, calming breath, I try again.

“Would it be possible for me to take you somewhere? I believe it could help you.”

“You wanna take me somewhere?” she asks, looking at me skeptically and backing away slightly.

“I promise I think it will help. And maybe afterwards I can tell you a bit about me. Or you can say no. No hard feelings.”

I smile at her, trying to show her I’m fine with whatever she decides and that I don’t expect her to say yes.

“Why do you want to help me?” she asks after several beats, narrowing her eyes at me and crossing her arms over her chest.

Biting my lip, I take in the sound of the soft breeze rustling my hair and making the leaves of the trees sway, as I admire the view from the front of her property.

“I had a sister who was an omega,” I say without looking at her. “She lost her alphas, too.”

I turn around to face her, and her eyes are wide with shock, her fingers resting lightly against her lips. If she wants the full story, she’ll have to come with me.

A fair trade, in my opinion.

“And because you mean a lot to my brother. Link may not be my blood, but he’s been every bit my brother since we met. We don’t want to cause you problems, we just want to help.”

Her lips purse as she takes the time to consider it, but eventually she lets out a sigh and her arms fall to her sides.

“Just let me get dressed. I’ll follow you.”

“I figured you could just ride with me. I’ll get you something to eat afterwards. My treat,” I say quickly, feeling my neck getting warmer, which probably means it’s flaming red.

“Fine, whatever,” she grumbles, slamming the door in my face.

I let out a heavy sigh as I feel a sense of ease, feeling the tension in my body ebb away as my muscles relax.

This is just what she needs, and after she smashes some shit, I’m going to stuff her full of the most delicious food I’ve found since I’ve been here.

I don’t know what they do to their fries before cooking them, but godsdamn, those are probably the best fucking fries I’ve ever tasted. And then to make things even better, there aretoppings!A damn long list of them, too. Don’t even get me started on the fact that you can choose what kind of fry you want. Curly fries, tater logs, shoestring.

The list is endless.

I’m committed to trying out every single combination of flavors that’s available, as well as creating my own unique flavor combinations when I’ve tried all of theirs.

We might just have to stay put here after all. There’s no telling how long it’ll take me to make my way through the list.

---