Page 67 of These Bonds that Unite Us
“I think Nebula had something planned, so ask him first,” Cal advises before accepting a kiss of his own from our alpha.
When he pulls away, Nexus grins widely at the two of us. “You make quite the sight curled up together, my sweet mates. I could bask in your beauty for eternity and still wish to engrave your image on my mind. Enjoy your bath, I’ll be back to collect you when food is ready.”
We both watch as he leaves, entranced by his bubbly butt swaying with each step. The man has an ass you want to sink your teeth into. When twin sighs fall from our lips as the door closes behind him, we both giggle. “We’re lucky to have such a sexy Alpha to parade around in tight gray joggers for us,” Cal jokes.
I hum my agreement as he reaches to shut off the water. We don’t want to overflow the tub and have a huge mess to clean up later. Settled back against the edge, he starts to massage the tension from my back. He works slowly but thoroughly, moving from my back to my shoulders and down my arms.
“Will you sing for me?” I ask when he gets to my hands. A groan follows my question as he hits a particularly rough spot on my palm.
“Of course I will, starlight. Any requests tonight?”
“Surprise me.”
His hands settle across my stomach as I melt against him. I love feeling the vibration of him singing against my back. In a way it’s like his very own purr, turning me into a puddle of relaxed omega.
The world floats around us as I get lost in his music. With each sorrowful note, I start to realize I’ve already forgiven him. It may seem like it’s too soon with the damage their abandonment caused, but Callisto has been relentless in showing me how much he cares for me.
And honestly, now that I can see things clearly again, I understand his decision to stick by Nebula’s side. They’re bonded so he could feel all of Nebula’s pain. His anger.Sometimes we have to prioritize those who are hurting the most, and for Callisto that was his alpha, not the omega claiming to belong to them.
It was easy to forget I played a role in what happened when I couldn’t look past the pain in my body and my broken heart. I hid my connection to them, letting my fear control me the same as theirs did. We are all to blame for what happened between us.
Twisting around, I prop myself on Cal’s chest, arms wrapped around his neck so I can watch his stunning face. He startles, hands jumping to my waist to steady me. “Starlight?” His eyes dart down to my lips and further still, taking in the way my breasts press against his bare chest.
Words of forgiveness clog my throat, so I press my lips to his hoping he can feel them in the soft swipes. A full-body sigh passes through him as he kisses me back. There’s no urgency, no pressure to take things further. He lets me guide us, his mouth pliant when I tease my tongue along his bottom lip.
His woodsy, slightly floral scent leaks heavier into the air around us creating the most soothing aromatherapy.
I slow our kiss until I’m breathless and panting against him. He whimpers when I shift to lay my head against his shoulder, my thighs brushing his hard length beneath the water. I could easily sink down onto him and ease his need, but I hesitate. I’m already sore and exhausted, pushing myself right now might not be the best idea.
A knock at the bathroom door interrupts us before I can decide either way. Nexus opens it a few inches and peeks through, a giddy smile on his face. “Dinner is almost done.”
I offer Callisto a shy smile as he helps me out of the bathtub, one he returns with slightly pink cheeks. “Thank you, Cal. For helping me take care of myself when I couldn’t find the strength to do so.”
His palm is warm against my cheek as he tilts my face up to his. Those blue and green eyes stare down at me with an intensity I’m not used to seeing from the bashful beta. “It’s my honor to be able to catch you when you fall, starlight. I’ll always be your safety net.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Now Playing: All I Want- A Day To Remember
Nexus dances into the kitchen, shirtless and bearing the evidence of his time with our omega. Jealousy and self-loathing are angry beasts clawing at my ribcage. I wish I had been able to be in the nest with them, but I know I haven’t earned that right. She doesn’t trust me enough to sleep in the same bed as her, let alone touch her beautiful body.
My mistakes weigh heavily on my shoulders, but I force myself to keep moving.
“Cally boy mentioned you had dinner plans?” he asks, propping himself against the counter beside me.
Standing so close I can see the clear outline of Omen’s mark on his chest. She accepted him as her alpha. Shechosehim. A fact that stings fiercely each time I see my own bite mark in her throat.
Despite my own bonding issues, it is relieving to know Nexus’ bond should prevent her from spiraling further from the chemical rejection. With her life no longer in danger from therejection, we can put a better effort toward earning her trust back.
“Yeah,” I grunt. It’s difficult to force myself to turn away from him when he is still soaked in her scent while my instincts are on edge. Opening the fridge, I grab the bowl of marinating pork I’d sliced up earlier. “Is she hungry now?”
“Probably. After the heat spike and bonding, she’ll need to eat something to replenish her energy.”
Sliding the bowl onto the island, I grab the rice cooker from the lower cabinet and plug it in. Falling into the monotony of cooking helps clear the cumbersome emotions their bonding stirs up. Nexus jumps in to help me slice fresh vegetables to pair with the traditional sweet and sour pork I am frying on the stove.
When everything is ready to be plated, I send him upstairs to grab Omen and Callisto from their bath. Yet another way one of my mates is connecting with her when I can’t. Finding the middle ground to create something belonging to only the two of us is more difficult than I originally imagined. All I can do is cook for her, a task I gladly do to care for all of my mates.
Before I put the plates on the table, I grab a pen and use our fated connection to let Titan know dinner is ready. He was out on the driveway washing his bike, so it might be several minutes before he joins us.
