Chapter 52 Raven
RAVEN
Once we’re outside, Foster sets me down, but I cling to him, gasping for breaths as the tears turn to sobs. “I’ve ruined everything.”
“No you haven’t.” Tanner’s voice is firm. “This wasn’t your fault.”
“Someone did this to you,” Foster says, anger seeping into every word. “We’re going to find them and make them pay, but right now—”
“The sponsors, my coach, Meggie Hart—the reason I’m here, the one who started all of this—they all saw!” I wail.
“Listen to me, omega.” Foster grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “This. Wasn’t. Your. Fault.”
Some part of my brain knows he’s right, but in my heightened emotional state, I can’t seem to calm down and agree. I just cry harder.
“Omega,” Orion barks.
My body snaps to attention. Foster lets go of my face, and I look at my bonded. My alpha smiles, and it melts something in me, calming my nerves just enough for me to wipe the tears with the back of my hand.
“You’re not upset?” I whisper. Shouldn’t he be upset? This is the worst possible time for me to go into heat. “Everyone saw. We just made a scene in front of all of those investors. Aren’t you worried about—”
“Not even a little.” He kisses my forehead.
I swing my attention to the other men crowded around me. None of them look angry. If anything, all I feel from the alphas in the bond is eagerness, excitement, hope, and raging desire. Woah.
“What about your game?” I ask. “You can’t miss it.”
“Fuck the game.” Tanner sets his hands on my shoulders and turns me to face him.
I stare at him with shock, and a little bit of hope. Winning the gold is everything to him.
“We’re not leaving you,” he continues. “I’m never choosing anything over you again. If you want us to help you through this heat, we’re all yours, Raven.”
The rest of the pack murmurs sounds of agreement. There’s nothing but certainty on their faces and harmony through the bond. Fresh tears fill my eyes, but there’s no sadness or fear in them. All I feel is an overwhelming sense of… love.
“Really?” I ask, still clinging to one shred of doubt.
“Really, truly,” Orion says.
“I’d give up the world for you, birdie.” Vann gives me a quick kiss on the lips.
I turn around to look at Rhodes, who shrugs. “I’m not sure about being part of a heat, but you’re pack, and you need us.”
“You… don’t want to participate?”
“Um… I’m not… it takes me a bit to…”
“My man, Rhodes, is demi, Raven.” Vann swings an arm over Rhodes’ shoulder, and there’s something protective about the movement.
“Demi… that means, uh,” I rack my brain, but it’s so foggy, and I don’t want to get this wrong.
“It, uh, means I need an emotional connection before I’m attracted to someone. So, uh, I’m not sure that I’ll be comfortable participating… or if you even want me there…” He trails off and I touch his arm gently.
“That gonna be a problem?” Vann cuts in, his tone slightly defensive.
“No. Of course not.” I smile at Rhodes. “You’re, um, welcome to watch or join if you want, though. I’ll be kinda out of it during the heat so I just wanted to make that clear now.”
“Maybe…” His eyes flick toward Vann. “But for now I’ll get some supplies and meet you back at the hotel.” He offers me a tentative smile that gives me hope.
A cramp knots my insides, and I wince, but there’s one more thing I need to say before I’m no longer able.
I face Tanner and take his hands in mine, looking around at the rest of the pack before focusing on him.
He needs to know what I’m about to say is serious, that I’m not playing games or tricking them.
This is important to me, and to us. I won’t be able to move forward with a relationship with them if this goes awry.
My Olympic dreams may have crashed and burned along with me on the ice, but theirs are still obtainable. Still within their capable grasps.
“I don’t want you to give up anything for me. I want to help you meet your goals, not take away from them. If you’d realized that sooner, all of this could have been avoided.” I cup his face with a firm grip. “So you listen to me Tanner Fuckface West.”
He chuckles at my made up middle name, but there’s something in his eyes that seems fearful of what I might say next.
“You’re gonna help me tonight, but tomorrow you’re gonna leave me with Foster and go win the gold. For me. If you don’t, I’ll never forgive you.” The words are serious, but there’s a teasing lightness that I know he can hear in my voice.
He breaks out in a full smile that wrinkles the corners of his eyes. “You’ve already forgiven us, sweetheart.”
Maybe I have.