Page 12 of A Holiday Arrangement

Lyric’s green eyes narrowed and he tilted his head as he weighed my words. Orion and Arden’s heated conversation seemed to get louder, but I tried to tune it out. I knew it was about me, and I really didn’t want to know what was causing such problems.

“Why what?”

“Why are you all so kind to me? I’ve caused nothing but trouble for you since I got here, and yet you and Orion have always defended me, always made me feel like I belonged. I-I never really had that, especially after my father died.” And now I probably never would.

For a split second, I had the possibility in my grasp, and it slipped away before the fantasy could even fully form.

Lyric squeezed my hand. He was kneeling next to me while I sat on the chaise as he combed knots out of my hair with his fingers. “Oh, sweetie. First of all, you aren’t any trouble. You’re family. And not because you share a sperm donor with Orion but because you’re one of us. You may have not realized it yet, but once Orion latches on and claims a person, that’s it. He’ll go to the depths of Hell for them, and there is nothing you can do to break that bond.”

Gods, I was crying again. The tears seemed never-ending. How was it possible that there were still enough fluids inside me to cry?

I flung my arms around Lyric, sobbing into his shoulder. “T-Thank you. I-I feel the same.”

“We love you, Jett. No matter what happens, you’ll always have a family with us.”

I shook as I held onto Lyric for all my worth. He returned my hug, holding me as tightly as possible. Lyric was slightly smaller than I was, but it didn’t matter. His arms were tight and strong and the only thing holding me together.

“He doesn’t want me!” I sobbed. “I-I forced him to make a decision and he didn’t choose me.”

“Shh, it’s okay, sweetie. He isn’t worth it.”

I shook my head rapidly in the crook of his shoulder. “He was though. I feltsomething. We were meant to be, Lyric, and he didn’t want it. Didn’t want me.”

Lyric pulled back to look at me, shock in his eyes. “You’re fated mates?”

I nodded once miserably. “Yeah, I think so.”

“And Emerson, he, um . . . He felt it too?”

Another nod.

The pity flashed through Lyric’s eyes quickly before he schooled it, but I saw it. I looked away, suddenly ashamed.

“I won’t say it’ll be okay because I know it doesn’t feel that way to you right now. I couldn’t even imagine not having this connection with Orion. I’m so sorry, sweetie.”

“I-I just don’t know what I did wrong. I know we don’t know each other, but he didn’t even give it a chance.”

Lyric sighed. “I can guarantee it wasn’t you. I don’t know his story, but Emerson has always been adamant that he won’t take a mate. I’ve never even seen him express interest in anyone or take an omega through a heat. I don’t know his reasons, but Emerson isn’t a man prone to impulse. But that doesn’t make you feel better, does it?”

I snorted. “No, it doesn’t.”

Just then, the bathroom door slammed in poor Arden’s face and Orion stomped back to us. His expression softened as he looked at the sorry state of the two of us. I shouldn’t have bothered to wash my face, as it was once again a blotchy, wet mess. I guessed it was better than being like thatandcovered in cum.

“What’s going on?” Lyric asked, his arms still wrapped around me.

Orion sighed heavily and pushed his brown hair out of his eyes. “Nothing to worry about.”

Lyric narrowed his eyes at his mate. “Even if I couldn’t feel it through the bond, we’re not idiots. Something is wrong.”

Orion hissed through his teeth. He looked like he was barely keeping it together. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had Lyric sitting on his lap for the rest of the night. I would have never believed what a fated mates’ connection did if I hadn’t been living with it for the last four months. Lyric’s ability to physically relax Orion with just a touch was amazing.

“Okay, fine. But I’m serious. I don’t want you worrying about it. Especially you, Jett. I really don’t care what those fuckers are saying.”

I blinked at my brother, trying to understand what he was talking about, but the fog in my brain wouldn’t let up enough for me to understand.

Thankfully, Lyric was cognizant enough. “They know?”

Oh. Oh goddess. We weren’t exactly quiet, despite Emerson’s warnings. And gods, anyone could have walked in and I likely wouldn’t have noticed. What were they saying?

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