Page 78 of Sweetheart: Part One

I… I could do it. My mates had chosen me.

Lovehad chosen me.

“You know you can’t do this by halves, Vex. It’s not enough for them to tolerate you.”

I nodded again, just wanting this meeting over.

He was right, though. There was only one bond the Crimson Fury pack could offer that would free me from this dark bond.

I’d needed them to love me enough that—when I was finally allowed to reveal what I was—they’d offer me the most valuable bond an omega could ask for.

A princess bond. A bond reserved only for mates.

Of the three bonds an omega could be given, it was the hardest ask. The opposite of a dark bond, which gave alphas all the power. A princess bond was a risk for a pack to offer. If I accepted, I would have more sway in the pack bond itself, and they’d never be able to claim another omega beyond me.

Normal, balanced bonds were the most common, while princess bonds were rare. Even more so to an omega like me. I was a gold pack omega by choice and necessity, so I’d never once considered a bond like that for myself. It was beyond even the most unreasonable dream.

Now, I would have to beg that of my mates, too, because sitting here, in Alastor’s arms, I knew there was no worse fate. I wanted what he did: for them to save me, no matter what I might cost them.

Yet, I knew the truth—the one I’d known since I’d first heard what I’d been bought for.

The alphas who’d bonded me were evil and cruel. I felt it lurking in the back of my mind every day. There was nothing they could want of my mates that would be easy to give.

If it was, a scent matched omega wouldn’t be at the heart of that exchange.

TWENTY-TWO

Dear Rook: For one second, I thought I was safe. You ruined it. Sometimes, you remind me of him.

I didn’t come for your money or your fame. I came for you. I hate you for not seeing that.

I hate you.

I want to.

But I’m not even strong enough for that…

VEX

When I returned to the house, Drake was waiting for me in the foyer. He followed me up the stairs, his face ashen, as if he knew the truth.

I handed him the contract, and he scanned it, his expression darkening with a muttered curse. He was running his fingers through his hair as he followed me into my room. I didn’t look into the living room, not ready to see any of the others right now.

I turned to him when I heard the door close. I needed more from him than a worried expression.

“You don’t want me.”

He met my gaze, wounded. There were bags under his eyes and he looked exhausted. “Youknowthat’s not true,” he rasped.

I shrugged, my throat thick. I wasn’t sure of anything, not right now. I could still feel Alastor’s touch on my waist, his commands low and taunting.

“Stay still, Vex. You’re going to be gone for a while, I want pictures.”

I was shaken head to toe, still not totally grasping the truth: I wasn’t going back.

Not yet.

I had a chance in this house full of monsters.

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