Page 88 of Broken Bonds

My heart feels like she has her dainty hands wrapped around it, holding it hostage, and my gut clenches.

Fuck. No wonder Forde couldn’t say no to her.

I think I’d do anything she asked me to do.

I clear my throat again, rubbing my palms on my jeans.

“Well, I should get out of here. I hope you two had fun this weekend,” I say, backing up towards the door. “And Ramsey?”

“Yeah?”

“Maybe call Forde when you get the chance? I know he’s been pretty down since whatever happened between you two.”

Her cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink that has my dick trying to stand to attention, and she tucks her hair behind her ears.

“I will.”

We’re so fucked.

All three of us.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

RAMSEY

Me: Can we talk?

I nibble on the edge of my thumbnail as I anxiously wait for a reply.

It’s been a few days since Jillian and I got home from our weekend away, and I’m finally pulling up my big girl panties and messaging Forde since our night together.

After Rion left the other night, I spent hours in the nursery he built while we were away, completely awed. It’s perfect and knowing that my alphas picked everything out themselves only makes me love it more.

I couldn’t believe Rion did that. I was already surprised when Jillian told me he was going to be at the house all weekend doing a bit of maintenance for me. To find out that, in reality, he was here painting and building a nursery for me, someone he hardly knows, was even more shocking. Even more surprising, he offered.

He did such a beautiful job. I could barely pull myself away from the room despite my exhaustion and now I leave the door open so whenever I pass it I can look in. It makes me happy and fills me with anticipation for the babies to finally get here.

Not much longer now…

I’m still not quite ready to go into my room, despite how badly I’d been wanting to bury myself in my nest after the funeral. It’s still hard having an empty house, but I’ve been slowly getting better. Pulling myself back up and healing. Walking into my empty room might do more harm than good right now, when I’ve been working so hard to get back to myself.

Hugging Rion wasn’t planned, but it felt… good. Especially when he hugged me back. And when he called me Ray. It all felt so familiar. Almost.

My phone vibrates in my hand, pulling me from my thoughts.

Forde: Always. Just tell me where and when.

I blow out a breath and relax at his response. Spending all this time with Forde, I should have known it’d be as easy as me reaching out to him. I’ve just been scared.

Scared of my guilt.

Scared of him being upset with me.

Scared of the way he makes mefeel.

It’s too soon, and yet, Forde would be the easiest alpha to fall for. I’m lucky to have him as a friend and confidante, and I’m grateful for him in so many ways. He’s a remarkable alpha who deserves nothing less than an omega who can offer him the absolute best version of herself. And right now, that’s not me. It may never be me. The feeling that has been with me since my alphas passed away is not one that I ever want to experience again. Given the possibility of having my soul shredded again, I would prefer to live a life of solitude with my children and Jilly.

But the more time I spend with Forde, the more he makes me feel, the more he draws me in. He gives me hope, and I think that probably scares me most of all.