Page 63 of Bound By Pain
“Fucking Fates, Bea,” Omen mumbles, pulling her long hair out of its ponytail and running her hands through the dark strands. She has a faraway look on her face that makes guilt swirl in my stomach.
Not too long ago, she was drugged at one of her guy’s shows. It led to a hellacious nine-day-long heat, where her body refused to accept any of the relief she gave herself. Only after one of her mates came to help her did the heat dissipate.
“Your mates will be there,” Foster adds. “They might not scent your need as strongly, but the bonds between you will tell them everything they need to know. Your pack will find a balance.”
“Hopefully.” I shrug and bury myself in a blanket that smells faintly of Orion’s ozone scent, helping to calm my riotous thoughts. A lot can go wrong during this heat, but I need to remember that a lot can also go right. My mates won’t let me face this alone; of that, I am certain.
“I hope your Alphas are prepared for one bossy Omega,” Foster laughs. “I have a feeling you’re going to put them through the wringer!”
Grinning widely, I let the mischief in my heart shine through my eyes. “Hell yes, I am!”
“Are you all living here?” Omen asks, looking around with a frown.
“For now. We can’t stay after the end of the month because the apartment is Omega-only. And honestly, we need more space anyway. You should see Creed trying to fit into my nest here!”
Laughter fills the air as we share jokes and updates about our packs and careers. Ice cream and wine are plentiful throughout the long night, leaving a content smile on my face as I drift to sleep on our makeshift pillow bed in the living room. An Omega night was precisely what I needed, and I think my friends needed it too.
This year has been chaos for us all, and I know there is still more to come. With the members of the Eternals still on the loose, and the upcoming trial for Omen and Hannah’s birth family, we can’t expect peace for a few more months.
One day, though, we’ll be sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the hell out of this amazing Fate we’ve found.
CHAPTER 27
Agreeingto leave my mate for the night takes more effort than I care to admit. The urge to constantly be by her side has only grown since learning she might be going into heat soon. My biological drive to care for her rides me hard, making my hands shake as I walk to the small parking lot for her apartment complex.
“We’re going to Shiloh’s for the night,” Orion tells me, offering for me to join them.
“Text me his address and I’ll meet you there. I’m going to go check on Lex first.”
Ridley meets my eyes and nods. His roommate is a thorn in my side, one I will happily let bury itself deeper if he manages to pull his head out of his ass long enough to see the beacon of hopestanding before him. Knowing his absence upsets my mate only adds to my growing frustration.
Hoping into my beloved car, I make the short trip to FCDA headquarters, where Lex is currently stationed as part of the joint DAU/FCDA task force to capture the rest of the escaped breeding ring leaders. I’ve spent most of my working days finding leads for the field teams to track. Between that and running the routine combat assessments agents are required to undergo every other year, I have had little opportunity to speak with Lex.
Something I regret, because I know he will need a big push to work toward accepting his role as Bea’s Alpha.
The sun is sinking below the horizon when I pull up to the office. A handful of cars are still parked in the lot, and I spot Lex’s Rubicon in the lot. The colorful array of dicks drawn on his windows makes me frown. If anyone pulls a stunt like that on my car, I’d break their fingers. I also know Ridley is the one who put the other agents in charge of this prank. He loves riling Lex up so they can fight it out in the ring later.
“Barrett. Shouldn’t you be at home with your Omega?” Catalco asks when he sees me walking through the building’s entrance. He looks like he is on his way out, with a bag slung over his shoulder and wet hair from a shower.
“Omega night with her besties. Where’s Lex?”
“Gym. Good fucking luck with that one,” he grunts, clapping me on the shoulder as he passes by.
The sound of fists hitting the bag filters out of the open double doors to the agency gym. Soft grunts accompany the frustrated, nearly burned scent of leather and sandalwood. I round the corner and lean against the wall, watching my former squadmate take his aggression out on the equipment.
“You’ll never be able to do anything with that boner if you break your hands,” I call out, catching him off guard. His hands steady the bag when it swings wildly from his stray hit.
“Fucker.” I grin as he grumbles, downing half of his water and wiping sweat from his face. His gray eyes narrow on me, a question in his gaze, but he clenches his jaw tighter and keeps his mouth shut. Stubborn fucking Alpha.
“Come on, I have something to show you.” I shut off the music and grab a rag to wipe down the equipment he was using. When I step in front of him, he scowls at me, but he grabs his stuff and heads to the showers. I’m glad he trusts me enough to listen, because I do not want to see his pale ass naked, and there is no way he is climbing in my car, soaked in sweat.
Twenty minutes later, we’re headed back up the highway to Starburgh. I follow the GPS directions to Shiloh’s apartment building and find a spot to park down the street. The tall, sleek building shimmers in the evening light, blinding in its beauty.
Entering the building, we’re greeted by a staff of vigilant security guards. Huh. I wonder how much a unit in this place costs? With all our salaries together, we could probably afford it, and knowing how well protected our Omega would be would make every penny worth it.
“Good evening, gentlemen. How can I help you?” An older Beta man greets us from behind the counter in the lobby. I give him our names and IDs, explaining we are meeting our packmates here.
“Ah, you’re part of Mr. Acherely’s new pack. Congratulations on finding your Fate-matched mate. Let me scan your IDs, and I’ll get you badges and keys for the elevators.”
