Page 58 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“Look! It’s the finale! I’m still so freaking giddy Skye Pierce won! She’s so sweet and her voice! I love the folksy tone!” Bea bounces excitedly on the bed as the episode starts. I smile and curl around a pillow beside her. A girl’s night was exactly what I needed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Now Playing: Run- Bring Me the Horizon
“Mornin’ firefly,” Titan greets as soon as I open the door. It’s entirely too early for me to be awake, or at least it feels like it.
Glancing at the clock I realize it’s nearly noon. Bea’s already gone since she had to work today. I don’t even think I woke up when she left this morning. Feeling so drained all the time sucks.
“Up for a ride today?” he asks, holding up a leather jacket.
A burst of excitement skitters over my skin when I see it. Going out on his motorcycle has quickly become one of my favorite things to do. “Yeah, just let me get dressed.”
He passes me the jacket and heads back toward the kitchen.
I quickly change from my cozy pajamas into skinny jeans and a long-sleeve band tee. The leather jacket smells new, and when I spread it out I realize it’s much smaller than the one I’d borrowed last time. Did he buy me my own riding jacket?
A small piece of me insists this is too much–these things aren’t cheap–but the bigger piece of me is too thrilled about the feel of the buttery soft material on my skin to care how worthy Iam of a gift this extravagant. Slipping the jacket on, I sigh when its weight settles on my shoulders. It fits perfectly.
Titan waits in the kitchen with a cup of tea and a breakfast burrito, making sure I eat something before we begin whatever adventure he’s chosen for us today. I bounce on my heels as he starts the bike, turning to offer me a hand to help me climb on behind him. Snuggling against his back, I feel him laugh at the excited energy vibrating through my sore body.
I may regret this outing later when the pain in my limbs returns, but for now, I’m going to pretend like everything is okay and I’m still not slowly falling apart.
A few hours after we leave, Titan turns up a long driveway. I’m curious to see where we are going. My eyes roam over the surrounding woods, grinning when I see a river in the distance. This place is so peaceful and wondrous.
At first, I think it may be a park or nature reserve of some sort, but then a huge modern house comes into view ahead of us. The multiple story home is covered in floor-to-ceiling windows, letting natural light shine into the interior. I don’t think I could ever live in a house so bright, especially close to or during my heat.
Titan parks his bike by the front entrance and helps me climb off. As I’m passing him my helmet, the door flies open. A short, dark haired woman smiles widely at both of us. “Has my favorite nephew finally decided to introduce me to his omega?” she calls cheerfully.
My eyes widen when I realize he brought me to meet his family. This must be his Aunt Abigail. The female alpha who was disowned by her family and ran out of Nashville when he was in his early teens.
“I’m your only nephew, Aunt Abby,” Titan replies with a grin. It lights up his face and I swoon. He’s so fucking handsome when he smiles, as rare as it is.
His warm palm slips beneath my jacket to press against the small of my back so he can guide me up the short steps to where his Aunt stands. She offers me her hand as soon as I’m within reach, gripping mine with two of hers as she studies me. “Abby, this is our Fate matched omega, Omen Powell.”
“It’s so wonderful to meet you,” she gushes. Her slightly burnt cinnamon sugar scent is warm and welcoming. The reddish brown color of her eyes is unique and matches the spiciness perfectly. “I hope my nephew and his mates have finally gotten their heads on straight.”
“Uh, they’re working on it?”
“If they give you trouble, let me know. My mates and I will set them straight for you.”
“Who’s here today?” Tee asks, shifting on his feet and glancing into the house behind her.
“Canyon’s at work and Juny had an appointment in town, but they both should be back this afternoon!” She squeezes my hand gently before stepping back to let us into their home.
The minimalist interior is broken up by loud pops of color. My favorites are the pop-style animal paintings hung on the wall behind their huge, fluffy white sofa.
The two of them chat casually as she leads us to a kitchen worthy of a professional chef. Seeing it reminds me sheisa professional. I’ll have to convince the guys to come visit her restaurant for dinner one night. The food has to be amazing if the scents wafting from her kitchen are from her cooking.
Sitting at the large island is a slender but athletic man with messy white-blonde hair. His neon, tie-dye t-shirt tells me he is the one who chose the colorful pieces of their decor. He turns as we approach, startling me with his blue eyes. They’re so light they’re nearly white.
“Decided to stop in for another surprise visit, Titan?” He grins at him before turning to me with a much softer smile. “Youmust be the mystery Fate matched mate we’ve heard so much about. I’m Kipp, Abby’s omega mate and resident chaos creator.”
“It’s nice to meet you both,” I reply with a small smile. I am so under-prepared for a meet-the-family event. I didn’t even put on foundation to cover the dark circles beneath my eyes! They don’t seem to notice, or if they do they’re polite enough to not point them out.
Titan guides me to a stool several spots down from Kipp and I’m grateful to be able to sink onto the high-backed wood and get off of my feet. Despite riding on the bike for the past several hours, walking through the huge house has left me winded. I’d hoped the bond with Nebula would help a little with the effects of the chemical rejection, but so far it has not done much.
“So, Omen, Titan tells us you’re a photographer?” Kipp asks. He’s an exuberant person, but not in a sunshiney way. More like moonlight. Which matches the mischievous glint in his light eyes.
