Page 18 of The Blue Path

There were many moments since my mate died when I wished betas and omegas could mark their alphas in a similar way so that I could have kept Fennah with me. But now, I was thankful they couldn't. My beautiful Fennah had been gone from me for a very long time, and having her bond in my blood would have been more than I could have survived.

For Tzidal, the last piece of her mate just died. His cedar scent—an aroma that was always weak on her, mostly washed out by her vibrant sugar flavor—was gone.

I looked over my mark, making sure it was no longer bleeding. Once satisfied it was clean, I moved my hands, tilting Tzidal's face to better see her. Tears clung to her eyelashes, and her lips trembled.

"Are you okay?" I whispered, trying to push my calm through our slowly forming bond. My mind expanded into hers. A tingle in the back of my mind spread, filling every inch of me with my omega's being. It was a connection I hadn't felt in so long, and my wolf settled, bonding deeply with our new, perfect mate.

She nodded weakly. "I'm really happy." She forced a smile as tears spilled over, dripping down the sides of her sweet face.

"I know," I whispered, rubbing her temples with my thumbs and pressing my forehead to hers. She was happy, but she was grieving too. And it broke my heart for her. "I'm really happy, too."

Tzidal wrapped her arms around my neck and held me tight. Her body gently shook as she cried, pressing her nose into my cheek. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. "I didn't think it would be this hard."

"Hey," I leaned up, looking into her golden eyes. "Don't apologize, my omega. It's okay if it's hard. I'm right here with you. You aren't alone. Okay?"

She nodded, then gave me a brilliant smile, happiness edging out a bit of her sorrow. "You mated me." She let out a breathy laugh through her tears.

"I did." I returned her smile, loving how her eyes sparkled even while glazed with tears. "You're stuck with me now."

She let out a musical giggle, and I pressed my nose into her hair. "I think I was stuck with you no matter what," she sighed, holding me tight.

* * *

"How didyou get cum in my hair?" Tzidal groaned. Trying to brush out the dried mess with her fingers. She grimaced as they became stuck in a particularly wet tangle.

"I don't know, but I like it." I smiled at the sight of her. She was covered in deep love bites, soft bruises from my fingertips, and her knees were still bright red from the best morning I could ever remember.

"I think I just need to wash properly in the stream," she sighed, abandoning her hair and grabbing my black shirt. "I'm sure Lex will have lots to say when he sees what you've done to me. Probably Byriel too."

"I don't want that alpha to see you bathe," I snapped. My voice was instantly possessive and sharp, but I didn't give a shit. This was my omega, and no one was allowed to see what was mine.

"Oh, I do love a newly mated alpha," Tzidal teased, gently pinching my lips with her fingertips. She pulled the oversized shirt on, not bothering to button it, and grabbed her pants, tucking them beneath her arm.

"I'm serious, omega." I followed her out of the cave toward the stream on the other side of the ridge. "I might not have had a right to command you before, but you're my mate now. And I forbid it."

She released the front of her shirt, letting it fall open so I could see her breasts and soft cunt hidden behind dark curls. "Do you forbid it?" she asked in a breathy whisper, her eyes teasing me with defiance.

My cock jutted out, thick and ready. "Tzidal," I growled in warning. "Do I need to remind you of your place?"

"Are you going to punish me, Alpha?" A coy smile pulled at her lips as she moved to slip the shirt off.

I grabbed the fabric and pulled it back over her shoulders. "I mean it, omega. I will fuck you into submission if I have to."

Our mating bond danced with her arousal, and her eyes fell half-hooded.

The soft sound of movement near the cave drifted toward me, and I turned to it. Disappointment flitted across Tzidal's face.

"I'm sure it's Lex," I said. "Come. You can wash later. I'll find somewhere more secluded."

She hesitated, not moving.

"I just need a drink," she said, stepping into the water. A chill worked through her as she crouched down. She cupped her hands and dipped them beneath the surface. "Joon," she smiled at me as if I were being ridiculous. "Go. I'll be fine."

I glanced back at the camp behind me, then at my mate again. She sat happily, stretching her legs out, the water moving slowly over her pale thighs. The bruised love bites along the sensitive inner thighs made my teeth tingle.

Leaves rustled, and I groaned. "I mean it." I pointed a finger at her. "You are not to bathe here. Anyone could see you."

She nodded, waving me away.