Page 37 of Bound By Pain
“I don’t care what we watch,” Orion replies. “As long as Bea’s happy, I could suffer through anything.”
My smile grows as they tease each other, loving the bromance I can see brewing between them. Regardless of how things play out with my other mates, these two give me hope for the future. Of life, pack, and happiness.
And an endless buffet of Alpha knots.
CHAPTER 19
Last night was…peaceful. I feel content in a way I haven’t in a very long time. Crammed in the tiny closet-nest in Bea’s room, I savored the feel of her pressed against me all night. Even if it also meant dealing with Ridley’s arm falling repeatedly on my face while we slept.
They’re both still sleeping when I slip out of her nest. It’s mid-morning, but I try not to wake them. Bea deserves a solid night of rest. Quality sleep does wonders for the body’s ability to heal itself.
Coffee is brewing in the pot, and breakfast bagels are warming in the oven when someone knocks on Bea’s front door. I open it, expecting to see one of her other mates. Instead, I find myself face-to-face with her parents.
A flush crawls up my neck when I remember I’m standing here in only a pair of black boxer briefs. Talk about awkward.
“Come in, please. Bea is still asleep, but she should wake soon.” I step out of the way, holding the door open so they can pass by.
Their pack leader, a man I recall Bea introducing as Phoenix, gives me an assessing, narrow-eyed look. I nearly shrink beneath his gaze, intimidated by the older man, but Bea’s mom slaps him on the stomach and rolls her eyes.
“Relax, Phoenix. She’s twenty-two, and he’s her Fate-matched mate. You remember what it is like to be young and newly in love, don’t you?”
If anything, his scowl deepens. Thankfully, Bea chooses that moment to leave her room. She’s hobbling along with bleary eyes, using the wall to keep herself upright, so I rush over and scoop her into my arms.
Her hands clasp behind my neck, and she buries her head against my throat, groaning deeply when she breathes my scent straight from the source. I laugh awkwardly, patting her back with one hand. “Good morning, butterfly. Uh, your parents are here.”
Her head turns, eyes opening to see her family standing there. She just shrugs and returns her face to my throat. “Of course they are. I’m hungry, and I need coffee.”
Carrying her to the couch, I settle her in the remnants of her blanket pile before heading to grab breakfast from the oven. Ridley joins me a moment later, taking over doctoring Bea’s coffee. He seems much more at ease with her family pack. A sign he has met them before, likely several times.
“Are you all hungry?” I ask after handing Bea her bagels. “I can make more…”
“We ate before we left,” Shelby tells me, “but thank you for offering. Sit down and eat. Enjoy the morning with your mate!”
“Are your other mates here?” I think this dad’s name is Austin. Or maybe I’m getting these two confused. I know her Omega father’s name is Forrest, but he hasn’t spoken yet.
Bea scratches her chin, pointedly looking at her plate, so Ridley answers in her stead. My heart hurts for my mate, knowing she has to balance her needs with the reluctance of the others. It can’t be easy to deny the connection that exists between them.
“Lex and Creed were called back into work to track down the asshole who escaped the breeding camp.”
When the taller of the two Alphas nods, I realize he must be Phoenix, since Bea mentioned he worked in the undercover section of the DAU. So, I got their names correct. Good.
“As for Shiloh, well, that guy’s a dick.”
Bea splutters, glaring at Ridley, who shrugs unapologetically.
“He is, sunshine. You can like him all you want. It doesn’t change who he is.”
“If he needs a stern talking to, we’re available,” Austin offers.
My Omega balks, the color draining from her face and her head shaking rapidly. “No, thanks. I donotneed my parents stepping in to help with my Fate-matched mates. That would be embarrassing as hell.”
“How are you feeling this morning?” Shelby asks, redirecting the conversation.
Forrest seems much more attentive now, eyes trained on his daughter as she eats. Ah. I get it now. His Omega is giving him problems. If my fear for her safety nearly made me catatonic, I cannot fathom being in the same position as her parents. To have their only child kidnapped and in danger.
“Okay,” Bea responds with a shrug.
“Bumblebee.” Forrest lets out a soft but distinct Omega growl that has every Alpha in the room sitting straighter. “Don’tdownplay how you feel. What you’ve been through is horrifying. It’s okay to admit that you aren’t okay.”
