Page 144 of Sunshine

“And if you aren’t comfortable bonding for years, that’s okay.” Luca nuzzled my neck.

“But when you’re ready.” Julian ran his hands through my hair. “When you’re bonded, that worry will go away because you’ll feel how much we love you, all the time.”

Tears prickled the corners of my eyes, and I buried my face in his shirt. We sat quietly, Julian stroking his hands through my hair.

Could it be that easy? I say yes and we bond, and they were mine forever?

My heart lurched at the thought. I wanted to believe Julian, that nothing would happen to make them stop loving me.

But if I didn’t know that now, would three years really change anything? I took Julian’s hand in mine and squeezed. Even when we were friends, he made me feel seen and heard. Logan was always there for me, and Luca flirted despite worries that it would push me away.

Could I really keep myself from bonding them, knowing I loved them with my entire body? What good was loving them, having the pack of my dreams, if I was too scared to let myself fully love them?

I had to let go and let them love me. It was that simple. Simple, but not easy.

I looked up at Julian and studied his face. His eyes were closed, his scent closer to normal. His thick eyelashes sat heavily on his cheek. He was pale and there were dark circles under his eyes, but he seemed perfectly at peace. His black hair was out of its ponytail thanks to me and Logan and swept over his shoulder.

Logan was looking at both of us, his eyes half open. His brown hair was sticking up in weird places from not sleeping and then cuddling, and he had a five o’clock shadow. He was pale too, but he seemed content. I looked over my shoulder at Luca. His wavy black hair was mused too and curling around his ears. His tanned skin contrasted against mine. He gave me a soft smile that warmed me to the core.

I loved them with every fiber of my being. I wanted to be as close as I could to them. Bonding almost seemed secondary after feeling the weight and comfort of their love.

It didn’t matter that I’d been hurt before, because they never treated me like I was secondary. I wasn’t an omega, and for once it didn’t seem to matter. They loved me and didn’t wish I was different. It wasn’t an obstacle for them to get around so much as part of me they loved.

“Okay,” I said.

Julian opened his eyes and gave me a soft smile. “Okay what? I’m the greatest omega in the world?”

“I’m ready for bonding.” I looked between the two alphas. “When we decided we want to.”

Julian blinked. “Am I dreaming? Are you serious?”

“I am.” I smiled. “I have to stop letting my worry for the future keep me from accepting love.”

“So wise.” Luca murmured into my neck.

“For real?” Julian broke out into a huge grin. “Let’s do it now, right now.”

“You haven’t slept,” I laughed. “Also, we were making waffles and forgot all about them.”

“Screw the waffles.” Julian looked at me like he was afraid I would disappear. “You’re sure? I didn’t pressure you?”

“No, you reassured me.” I corrected.

“I don’t need sleep, I need you.” Julian pulled me into a kiss. His mouth was soft and light, feathery kisses that relaxed all the tension from my body.

I breathed in his tropical scent, as Luca shifted behind me.

He purred, dragging his cheek over my shoulder. “I want to be the first to bond you.” He glanced up at Logan, who gave him a nod.

Luca’s spicy sweet scent rose around me as he dragged his mouth over my skin. Logan shifted to my side, so I had my pack around me. Touching me, kissing my bare skin.

I let out a shuddery sigh, blissful tension coiling through me.

Julian lifting my t-shirt over my head. I giggled, pulling his own shirt off. I paused, indulging in the feel of his lean torso. I ran my hands from his pecs down to his stomach with a sigh.

“I love it when you look at me like that.” Julian purred, his perfume getting stronger.

“I love touching you.” I ran my hands down his stomach, his abs flexing.

---