Page 95 of Claimed By the Band

His eyes widen slightly, but he shakes his head. "No, I… it's not that," he says with a shaky breath. "I'm not trans, I'm… I'm not a guy at all. I'm a girl, at least as far as I'm anything. As far as I'm a person at all. I'm just… broken."

It takes me a moment to process what I'm hearing. To read the truth between his—her—fractured version of it.

Then, I think back to what she told us all that night. About the cult. About her so-called family, and the way they viewed female omegas.

Breeding stock.

There's that murderous rage again.

I reach out and gently touch her cheek, my heart aching at the fear and shame in her eyes. "Listen to me," I say softly. "I don't care if you're a man or a woman, an omega or a beta, or anything else. But you arenotbroken. You're the strongest person I've ever met."

The words pour out of me before I can stop them. "I loveyou. Nothing else matters."

She goes still under my touch, those dark eyes widening in shock. My head spins as I realize what I've just said, how completely inappropriate the timing is.

"I'm sorry," I stammer quickly. "That's not... I mean, I shouldn't have just blurted that out. Not when you're dealing with all this. The timing is awful, and you're vulnerable, and I'm an idiot, and?—"

She cuts me off with a kiss, her lips soft and desperate against mine. For a moment, I'm too stunned to respond. But then she makes this small, needy sound in the back of her throat, and something inside me snaps.

I kiss her back with everything I've been holding back these past weeks. All the longing, all the protective instincts, all the love I've been trying so hard not to show. My fingers tangle in her hair, still damp with sweat from the heat, and she melts against me with a whimper that makes my chest tight.

It feels like that final wall I've been trying so hard to break away, piece by piece, is crumbling all at once. And finally, I understand. Everything she's been hiding, everything she's been holding back.

It all makes so much sense now.

"Did you mean it?" she whispers against my lips, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. There's so much vulnerability there, so much hope warring with fear.

"Every word," I tell her fiercely. "I know the timing is terrible, and I know you probably need time to process everything, but yes. I meant it. I love you. Who you are, not what you are, Alex."

Her eyes fill with tears, and for a moment I'm afraid I've said the wrong thing. But then she kisses me again, and I can taste the salt of her tears mixing with the sweetness of her lips.

"Jordan," she whispers against my lips. "My name is Jordan."

My heart soars at the revelation. The intimacy of hearing her real name for the first time. It feels like every bit as much of a victory as hearing I love you back, but I know that one's going to take some time.

"Jordan," I murmur, taking her hands in mine, rubbing her palms with my thumbs. "What a beautiful name. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Jordan."

A particularly rosy shade of pink colors her cheeks, and she leans closer, her hair falling into her eyes. "Are the others as understanding as you?"

"They'd better be," I tease, pressing my forehead against hers. "I've brought a lot of people home over the years. Jordan. Men and women. But you're the only one my pack has ever wanted to keep."

Surprise flashes in her eyes, and I can tell she's warring with herself. Trying to let the voice in the back of her mind tell her she's not safe to be this vulnerable, not worthy of being as adored as she is. But I'll just have to be louder. I'm good at making my voice heard.

She shivers, another wave of heat clearly hitting her. A small sound of discomfort escapes her as she tugs at the sweat-soaked fabric of her shirt.

"Let me help?" I ask softly, reaching for the buttons. This time she nods, though I can still see the nervousness in her eyes.

I take my time with each button, giving her plenty of chances to stop me. The soft fabric parts to reveal the binder beneath. It can't be comfortable during an induced heat like this.

"This too?" I ask gently, touching the edge of the binder. "It's probably not good to wear during heat. The constriction might make the fever worse."

She hesitates, vulnerability written across her features. "I... you're sure it doesn't matter? That I'm..."

"That you're the most amazing person I've ever met?" I finish for her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "The bravest, strongest, most incredible omega who somehow managed to survive hell and come out fighting? Yeah, I'm pretty damn sure about that."

A small laugh escapes her, though it's shaky with unshed tears. "You're ridiculous."

"Maybe," I agree, smoothing her hair back from her face. "But I'm also right. Now, will you let me help you get more comfortable? No pressure, just... I hate seeing you in pain."

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