Page 103 of Awakened
“There is nothing like that feeling,” Zach said, finally turning to look at me.
All the humor drained from my body. The longing on his face made me feel inadequate like I should have been able to make him feel that way. “I can imagine.”
He continued as if he didn’t hear me. “It’s like everything’s falling into place, and you finally belong somewhere. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever felt.”
I was glad he was looking at the couple because my vision blurred with tears, and a lump formed in my throat. My efforts to mold more little houses doubled until there was no more snow in front of me, and my fingers were covered in dirt.
Zach didn’t mean anything by it, and he probably didn’t even understand the implications of what he was saying, but that didn’t make me feel any better. Our love had grown through patience and understanding.
Would we ever get to the place he was talking about?
It was ridiculous to make these comparisons. Every relationship is different, but I couldn’t help but wonder if I was even capable of feeling what Zach described.
Seth moved closer to me, our sides touching. Leaning in, hewhispered, “That’s not what it was like with Becca. I’ve felt that, but not because of the mate bond.”
He was trying to help, but the realization that Seth was just as broken as me made everything worse.
Turning to say just that, my nose nearly grazed his, and his breath caressed my lips. For one second, I remembered that kiss from over a year ago. I hadn’t let myself revisit that night in months, but with him so close, breathing my air, I remembered what it felt like in his arms.
The whole day had gotten out of hand.
Sitting in a row like the Three Stooges, the ridiculousness of the whole situation pressed down on me, and I started laughing. That certainly caught Zach’s attention.
“What’s so funny?”
“Us—this, this week, the three of us sitting here. Everything.” Finally, my laughter died down. “Sorry, I just never thought I would be sandwiched between my current boyfriend pining for the mate bond, and my, what the hell do I even call you Seth?” He tried to say something, but I continued. “My ‘friend’ telling me he’d felt that way about me, all while watching grown people toss eggs back and forth. Oh, and don’t forget about the menacing comments and winks from the career misogynist.”
Zach and Seth looked at me, then at each other, then back at me. They reminded me of a dog trying to figure out where you’re going to throw the ball.
“Les—”
“I just?—”
They both started simultaneously, only sending me into another fit of laughter. “I’m sorry, guys. It’s probably the lack of sleep I got last night. Forget I said anything.”
Seth’s face darkened into a scowl while Zach sat there, stunned. Wanting to escape the situation, I stood, brushing the snow off my ass. “I’m going to go find something to drink—hopefully something very alcoholic, although knowing these guys, I’mguessing soda is the hardest they go. Maybe I’ll throw in a brownie. Scratch that. I’m definitely getting a brownie.”
I started to walk toward the pack house until Matthew Stewart’s deep voice shouting my name startled me.
“Celeste Spencer! Come here.”
“No,” I yelled, knowing it was completely unnecessary. He could’ve heard a whisper.
The puffed-up alpha-to-be’s mouth hung open. His head whipped toward an older man as if waiting for a command. I guess he got one because he stomped toward me.
I wanted to turn and run, but these Old Church assholes always talked about “the love of the chase,” and I wasn’t a damn bunny rabbit. I stood my ground, and Seth and Zach slowly rose to stand by my side.
In a matter of seconds, a huffing Matthew stood in front of me. “No?”
“No. As in the opposite of yes? Or a denial of consent? I guess you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a woman having agency. Let me explain. I am a person, a woman, a beta. I am not ordered around like a dog. Perhaps you would like to try your request again?”
Zach and Seth snickered behind me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw them bump elbows.
Matthew’s mouth hung open, ready to catch flies.
When it became apparent he wasn’t going to say anything, I added, “Or I can continue on my booze and brownie mission? Your call, Stewart.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “That is no way to speak to a future alpha, let alone your mate. Now come with me and meet my father. He’s eager to meet the future Luna of the Crescent Pack.”
