Page 60 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“He and Titan have been racing every summer since Titan joined the Alpha Academy. My nephew’s gotten better over the years, but he hasn’t been able to beat our mate yet.” Abby runs her fingers through Kipp’s hair, stirring his purr into action as he leans back against her.
Her expression suddenly turns somber as we watch Titan and Bowie dry off. “I know their pack messed up. Anyone who looks at you can see as much, but he’s never regretted anything more. Hurting you broke him. Broke them all in some way. I’m not saying you should forgive them, they have to earn your trust back, but don’t push them away when they’re trying.”
“I’m trying not to,” I admit. “But it’s hard to win a battle against my instincts when they’re being overridden by the rejection.”
She pats my hand gently. “You and I both know what it’s like to grow up somewhere you don’t belong. Where you aren’t wanted. We need packs to help stabilize those early feelings of inadequacy. They can be that foundation for you, like my pack is for me.”
Titan joins us, his dark eyes roaming over my face, silently asking if I’m okay. I offer him a tentative smile and he relaxes. Abby is right, they are trying. I’ve already decided to accept Nebula’s bond, and to take Nexus’. I just have to work up the courage to admit that to them too.
After a long day of socializing and eating delicious food with Titan’s aunt and her pack, I’m glad to be back in the pack house. The rest of the guys were excited to hear about our adventure, and jealous we got to enjoy Abby’s cooking without them. I promised we would go check out her restaurant one day soon.
Collapsing onto my pile of blankets, my omega protests the lack of our mate’s scents. I should be used to it by now, but after riding on Titan’s motorcycle and surrounding myself in his spicy pink pepper and leather scent I find myself missing it.
Being alone eats away at me in a way I never could have imagined before being rejected. I used to love my solitude, using my independence to keep everyone at arm's length so my family couldn’t endanger them. Now it’s a reminder of the many times I’ve been abandoned in my life.
Curling on my side, I watch the dark sky outside of the window and wonder what will happen next. After I accept Nexus’bond will the others want an immediate connection to me too? Am I ready to be bound to all four of them?
A sigh slips through my lips. There are so many questions and not enough answers. The fog of loneliness makes thinking things through a difficult process.
Warm, comforting energy spreads through my arm, settling over me like a weighted blanket. Peering down at my skin I watch as a message from Nexus scrawls across my arm.
‘I left you a gift outside of your room.’
I wait a few seconds but he doesn’t send anything else. Chewing my lip, I debate pushing myself long enough to get up and see what it is. Curiosity wins out and I stumble to my feet.
Beyond my bedroom door is a basket. The distinct scents of my mates fill the room as I carefully tip it onto my bed. Joy swells in my heart when I realize he collected one of each of their shirts for me.
While I am carefully arranging them into my makeshift bed-nest, my phone dings with an incoming alert. I grab it, assuming it is Bea checking in, but it’s an email instead. From Primordial Covenant. Frowning, I open it.
Hey Gorgeous,
I hope this makes you feel a little better.
-Nexus
Attached to the email is an audio file. I grab a pair of in-ear headphones and press play once it has loaded.
“The sun dips below the horizon…”
I listen as he starts to read, my eyes filling with tears. They slip down my cheeks as I let the sound of his voice soothe the ache in my soul. He recorded himself reading an audiobook so we could read together even when he isn’t here with me. This iseasily the sweetest, most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
The longer I listen the more my decision solidifies. Tomorrow, after dinner, I’m going to ask Nexus to bond me. I want to survive. To have the chance to try to make this messed-up relationship between the five of us work.
It won’t be easy. My fear of rejection won’t magically go away as soon as I’m bonded, but I think facing my fear will be worth it. Especially if it means I get to enjoy other moments like this.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Now Playing: The Grey- Bad Omens
I can’t really explain why I am hovering outside of the guest room at nearly one in the morning. My soul was restless without Omen lying beside me. After spending the day with Titan’s family, she’d been too exhausted to spend time with the rest of us. I’d barely managed to rush her through a shower with how sleepy she was.
Cracking the door open, I peek inside and hope I didn’t accidentally wake her. I’m surprised to find Nexus and Nebula already curled around her on the bed. Their bonds are content in a way none of us have managed over the past few months. She’s the missing piece holding us together, and I wish we had all seen that sooner.
“This bed isn’t big enough,” Titan grumbles from behind me. His voice is low, but he manages to startle me enough a squeak slips through my lips.
Our other mates peek at us from across the room, small smiles stretching across their faces when they see us hovering in the doorway.
“We’ll make it work,” I mention as I slip inside. “But we have to be out of here before she wakes up.”
