Page 37 of Shadow Bonds

Cyrus has already changed the sheets and bedding and is lying on the left side waiting for me.

“Just get into bed. I promise not to touch you.” He pauses. “If that’s what you want.”

It isn’t.The thought shocks me, making me freeze.

“Sena?”

I clear my throat and get into bed, all while trying to ignore the questioning look he’s giving me.

“Talk to me?” he pleads, and something about the tone of his voice makes me want to answer him truthfully.

“I don’t understand any of this. You all hate me. So why are you trying to be so nice now? I don’t want to play anymore of your games. I’m tired,” I admit, and he sighs.

“We’re adjusting,” he says, and I feel him shift beside me. “We’re trying to understand this new version of you and if it’s real.”

I turn on my side to look at him. He’s already turned my way and watching me.

“Yes, we’re assholes for the tricks we played on you. But you used to play games on us that were much worse.”

I wince. “It was that bad?”

“Worse,” he says without any humor in his tone. Just sadness and heartbreak, making my own heart break a little.

“I’m sorry—” I start, but he shakes his head, moving closer to me.

I see his indigo blue eyes up close and almost get lost in them.

“Let’s talk about something else,” he asks while reaching out and tucking a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

I ignore the warm tingle it brings and try to think of something. “What’s the difference between a mate and true mate?” None of the others explained before stomping off like little children, and I was too stubborn to ask.

“A mate is supposed to have a deeper connection than others. A soul bond that’s forged between two or more.” His eyes flicker to mine. “But a true mate is one soul shared between all. A bond so deep that none of us are whole without the other.”

He smiles with a far-off look as if remembering a fond memory. “I remember meeting each one of the guys when I was just a child. Remember finally feeling like I had come home. Like I belonged somewhere.” His soft gaze finds mine once more. “It all makes sense now. We were all pieces of a puzzle. But we were just missing one. You.”

Me. Or the old Sena.

The thought makes me flinch back, and he frowns and tenses up. But all I can think about now is how the other Sena might actually be their mate and I’m just along for the ride.

But then my mind starts trying to think logically on how that would that be possible.I’min this body which must mean my soul is too…

They also said they met her before. So, they would have known beforehand if she was their mate. Wouldn’t they?

I can’t voice my worries and fears. So instead, I do what I do best and shove them to the back of my mind for now.

“What now?” I ask him, wondering where we stand now that things have shifted again.

He sighs and his body starts relaxing once more. “The bond will grow, eventually making us stronger over time. Stronger in ways none of us can imagine.” He frowns and a sliver of worry seeps into his eyes. “We’re already stronger than most. But if people found out what we are, they would want to control us.”

“I know you don’t trust me,” I tell him, and he opens his mouth to probably try to deny it when we both know the truth.

“I won’t tell anyone,” I promise him before turning back over and trying to force myself to sleep. But my mind has already decided to wake up and ruminate on everything that has just happened.

It takes a few minutes, but slowly, my mind starts drifting off, making each worry and fear disappear for now.

On the brink of sleep, I hear Cyrus whisper my name.

“Hmm?”

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