Page 95 of Broken Bonds

Forde’s influence on me has been immense, granting me the resilience and strength to persevere. When he looks at me, I can see the depth of his compassion and willingness to share my burden of pain and suffering, and he’s quick to offer me comfort when he senses I need it. Being with him makes me feel like I can open up my heart and love again, be loved again. He has a heart full of kindness and he’s not afraid to show it, which is something that I adore about him.

Regardless of my expectations, I’ve found that Link is a surprisingly calming influence in my life, and he helps me find a sense of inner peace. When I look at him now, I see him, and not Lake. The experience of going to the grief support meetings together and spending time with him has allowed me the opportunity to build a connection with him without forcing it. We may have come together through our shared grief, but now we’re healing together. Link possesses a gentle and caring nature that makes it feel like opening the gates to my heart for him is second nature.

I have a strong desire to get to know Rion because his one act of kindness told me so much about who he is. He is selfless, with a heart of gold. I have no doubts that I could grow to have feelings for him, given the chance. And I want the chance. I am determined to pay attention to what my heart and alphas are telling me, and to give myself another chance at love.

I grab Rule’s letter, still not quite ready to read Lake or Van’s, and carefully open it.

Starfire,

Ollie says we should write you these letters, just in case.

You know I’ve never been great with words. I don’t think I’ve written a letter a day in my life, but for you, I’d write a thousand letters just so you can be reminded every day just how much I love you.

I love you, Ramsey Daniels.

From the very first moment I laid eyes on you when Ollie introduced us. I knew then that I’d do anything to belong to you.

My love for you burns hotter than the sun and extends farther than the galaxy. It’s infinite.

I don’t like to think of a world where we don’t exist together, but should that day ever come, I hope you don’t give up. I hope you don’t give up on life because it’s full of surprises. Experience them all with an open heart and mind.

Give our children a glimpse of the person we fell in love with all those years ago.

That day we first met, I was so nervous. You were so beautiful and perfect, too perfect for me. But you still saw me. Still fell in love with me, and I thank the gods every day for that. Building a life with you and the guys has been everything I never thought I’d have, and I have loved every second.

Know that if I’m gone, I have no regrets in life.

I leave this world knowing you’re strong enough to survive losing me, and regret nothing other than leaving you. I only hope you’re not alone.

Be patient.

You will heal, and you will never be alone. I’m always with you, even if you can’t see me. Just look to the stars, because I’ll be there, waiting for you.

To the moon and back and around the galaxy, Starfire.

-Rule

As I read the letter, tears well up in my eyes, and I have to pause a few times to wipe them away before finishing it. Once I’ve finished it, I run my fingers across the page before folding it back up and stuffing it back in its envelope, a smile on my lips. Then I lay down, pillowing my head on my arm, and stare out the window at the stars.

ChapterThirty-One

LINK

As I watchedRamsey drive away from me last night, a sense of relief filled my heart. Relief I’m no longer holding myself back. To finally admit that she’s meant for me, even if she was meant for my brother first.

Ramsey Daniels is my scent match.

I know that now, and accepting it leaves me feeling liberated in my decision.

Lake has been the reason I’ve held back but seeing her accept Forde and let him in so effortlessly, whether or not she realized it, has had me battling with myself for months.

I was fine with ignoring the feelings she ignited in me. Fine spending the rest of my life seeing her as the mother of my nieces or nephews and my brother’s omega.

And then she started spending time with me, talking to me, and now those feelings for her have grown so much more.

When she’s near, my heart simultaneously races and stops, which seems contradictory. Her inner light brings me peace, and when she’s hurting, everything inside me begs me to fix it. To hold her and be her comfort. My alpha instincts go into overload, and it’s been nearly impossible to hold myself back this long.

The smell of her on Forde every time he comes home has continuously tested my every limit.

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