Page 35 of Verses and Blooms
There were always rumors that an omega’s bite wasn’t as strong as an alpha’s, but the truth was they worked regardless. If he wanted it stronger, he’d have to ask an alpha to bite him, too, but from the small smile on his face, I think he knew that and was okay with it.
“I’d bite you here and now, if you wanted,” Rydell said, as intense as always. “I never want to feel so fucking lost and helpless again. I need to know that you’re safe.”
Caspian let out a breath and I turned to him. I knew exactly what I was asking of him. It was big. But if our relationship was ever going to have a hope of lasting, then we had to take chances.
Every one of us had sworn off bonding and any kind of future more times than I could count, but was that even any way to live?
This past experience has proven one thing: that I couldn’t live without them.
“As terrifying as it is,” Caspian finally admitted when the silence stretched on a bit too long. “I think I’m ready. Tatum… she was my world. The one I truly thought I was going to spendevery day for the rest of my life with. She gave me Lilly and years of bliss, and I wouldn’t give up a second of that. If I could have the same thing with you, why would I make any other choice? I think it would hurt more not to bond to you. We belong together.”
“Bonds only ever used to hurt me. I never got a choice. It was a way to control me. I never had a good view of them. It’s different now. I love the idea of wearing your marks, of having this deep connection. I want that so fucking bad. Something the world can’t take away from me.”
“I want that, too,” Kane agreed. “The bond I had wasn’t a real one. I felt more for you in those first weeks than I did in a whole relationship with my old pack. The more memories that come back to me, the more I realize they never deserved to have me.”
“They didn’t,” I agreed. “They refused to see what we get to see every day. The man who is so strong and smart and incredibly talented, and so caring that it makes me feel loved in ways I never knew possible.”
“I do,” he said, his eyes meeting mine. There was a mix of trepidation and hope glowing in those amber eyes. “I love you, Audrey. With my whole soul.”
His voice cracked as he said it, like he was in disbelief. I reached forward, my fingers wrapping around his.
“You brought me out of that darkness, the one I didn’t even know I was lost in. I never want to feel like that again, and I know I won’t have to with this pack. With you.”
“I love you, too, Kane. I love all of you. Otherwise I wouldn’t want to wear your bites or have you help me through my heat. I fully trust our pack.”
“I’m ready to wear your bite,” Ledger said, a grin on his face. “I’ve loved you from the moment you walked in this building full of fight and sarcasm.”
“I might’ve thought at first that you’d be put off by my designation,” Rydell admitted, turning to me. “But even then, I knew deep down that you were mine.”
All our gazes shifted to Ares. The one who had been quiet so far.
Ares pushed his plate away, giving me his full attention. “We may still be getting to know each other, and that love will still be growing, but I feel it already. Audrey, you’re mine and I’m yours. I’ll do anything and everything to give you the life you deserve. You give me purpose beyond my job, make me feel seen and loved, and I always want to give you the same. A bond will only keep us strong.”
As if she were waiting for them all to agree, my omega reacted. Her presence pushed forward, our scent swelling right along with it. Sweat formed on my skin as a feverish temperature rose within me.
I wasn’t lost to the heat yet, but it was coming, and I knew it was going to be explosive.
Chapter Thirteen
Caspian
“Ithought we had more time,” I gasped as Audrey doubled over with a groan, her scent strong enough it was nearly suffocating. I’d been through heats with Tatum, but it was different. They were expected and planned for.
In Audrey’s case we had no idea what to expect, or when.
This could be a spike of heat, or a full one, but either way we had to get her comfortable.
Rydell caught her as she slumped over, scooping her into her arms.
“Her nest isn’t ready,” Kane said, eyes wide. “I wanted us to get it right for our omega before this heat hit.”
“It won’t be predictable this time,” I said as I stood. “Let’s get her out of the kitchen.”
“We can still get her nest ready,” Ansel reassured him before turning to us. “We can wait for the delivery. Our omega needs her alphas right now and we can take this on.”
“Where do we go for now? She can’t go in the empty nest.” Rydell held her close, as if he could shield her from the plain nest that could offend her inner omega.
“I just need you,” she slurred. Her voice was full of pain now, another burst of her scent swelling in the air. This was no spike, it was far too strong.
