Page 47 of The Omega's Bloodline: Part One

She didn’t respond, but at least Seth didn’t add his two cents. I hated the tension. I drove us to the cabin and we went inside in silence. Logan diverted to the patio, rolled up her pants and stuck her feet in the hot tub.

I gave her some space and stayed in the main room, sitting by Seth as he got the fireplace going again. It wasn’t necessary, but it added to the ambience.

I don’t want to lose her.

Seth looked over to me, mouth dropped open in shock, but then I didn’t suppose he expected me to open up to him about all of this.

I get why you’re worried. Lo’s a lot feistier than Rachel, though.

I sighed and shoved my hands through my hair.Rachel was a witch and she still didn’t make it. Feist doesn’t help much with a monster that’s sucking people dry.

Just…don’t push her away. We’ll keep her safe. Better to let her go on her own terms if she gets tired of running.

I stared at my brother. My chest ached.

He closed the grate on the fireplace and sat down across from me.I would take back everything that happened with Rachel if I could.

For all that I’d been furious with him over what happened, I wasn’t all that clear on the details.Whatdidhappen with Rachel?

Seth raised an eyebrow.

I knowwhathappened physically, but I don’t know why.

I always saw what you two had and wanted it for myself, but I didn’t want to leave you to go find it. I pretty much had a crush on her from the second she came into the picture and the more time I spent with her, the more I wanted her.

I wasn’t overly comforted by the idea that he’d gone after my mate because of her proximity. Seth had only been fifteen when I’d gotten involved with Rachel, and I couldn’t fault him for having a teenage crush, but he’d been an adult when everything went down. She’d been old enough to know better, but it was difficult to be angry with a ghost.

Seth fidgeted uncomfortably.She told me she wanted out but was too chickenshit to say it to your face. I don’t think she really wanted me, he continued.I think I was an opportunity to her. She bounced less than a month after we left.

She’d been afraid to talk to me? The knowledge made me sick.If she’d felt safer, she wouldn’t have needed an opportunity.

I swallowed hard. The person I’d been in my younger years wasn’t as in control as the one I was today. I’d never have hurt her, but who knew how she’d felt around me back then. Guilt and disgust at myself filled me up to bursting.

I failed her.

Seth cringed.We both did. But it’s not like she was the paragon of communication and great choices, either. I have no idea how she died.

I had no idea either. All I knew was that she was gone. I’d felt the snap of our bond and there was only one reason it would have broken.

I had to do things right this time. Logan had no problem telling me off when she needed to, so I’d improved in that regard, but I couldn’t let her die because of her own stubbornness.

Seth stared at his hands, examining his cuticles with unnecessary attention.I don’t know if I’d be strong enough to send Lo away if she were mine.

Seth’s words had me laser-focusing on him.

I’d die to protect her, even when she’s yours,he said.I won’t let anything hurt her or you.I owe you that much.

I swallowed the sudden rise of emotion. My throat was thick and I knew if I tried to speak, the words would lodge themselves there.Thank you. But I don’t want you to die either.

Seth’s expression was soft. I craved more than ever for things to be how they’d been in the past. We’d been so close. We hadn’t had anyone else in the world but each other, and I missed it. I almost reached out to him, to bridge the gap, but I was too much of a coward.

His face fell.

I wanted to be brave enough to repair things, to set aside the agony that still smoldered deep in my gut. Maybe I was finally strong enough for that.

“Seth.” My name was soft and breathy on Rachel’s lips as she pulled me aside. Her fiery hair hung over her shoulder in a braid, charms and crystals hanging from the end of it that caught the light. “Keep this on, okay?”

She tied the black woven strands around my wrist. A rush of affection washed over me. I’d watched her weave it, fascinatedby the work of her dextrous fingers, but hadn’t known it was for me.

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