Chapter 12 #2
My eyes widened as I looked at the extensive list. I’d seen the empty nest upstairs and knew the basics.
There was already a fresh mattress, but it was all blank and white.
Looking at the array of nesting supplies, I didn’t know where to start.
I’d never had a real nest. Yet, I knew it needed something more than plain blankets and pillows.
As if my omega knew I needed her, she surged to the surface. She didn’t give me the chance to overthink before I was tapping on the screen, adding things to a cart. Anytime I questioned whether I truly needed it or not, I was promptly ignored.
Soon, I had a cart full of just about everything an omega could need for a heat: blankets, pillows, and fabrics that looked soft as butter.
When I was satisfied, it seemed Ares was not. He took it over from me, adding a whole lot more.
He gave me a sly smirk when he saw me watching him.
“Don’t worry, omega. I’m sticking to the theme.
I meant what I said about spending their money.
There’s nothing they can do to fix it, but I truly think this could help.
I’ll make sure your omegas are settled, happy, and safe through all this and after when we go back. ”
“But you guys make me feel those things,” I argued. “I don’t need a bunch of stuff to do that.”
“Fuck it, buy it all,” Ledger said on a growl. “She sure as hell deserves it.”
When Ares was finally done, he passed the tablet around, each of my mates adding something to the list. I couldn’t imagine how they’d get it all to us before my heat hit, but I wasn’t about to argue.
For now, it was just nice to be taken care of.
“I wanted to talk to you guys about something,” I said, chewing on my lip as I looked around.
“You can talk to us about anything,” Ansel said when I paused, unsure how to get the words out. It was a promise.
I had a feeling Ansel was going to be a force to be reckoned with during my heat, ensuring that I was getting everything I could possibly need and more.
“I know that we talked about not wanting bites before, but the only thing I could think when I was gone was how much I regretted it. I wanted your marks on me, wanted a way to feel connected when I wasn’t by your side. It would have been nice to know you were with me in there.”
“As far as I’m concerned, we’re already bonded,” Ansel said. “A bite isn’t going to make or break that, and a bite given by you would only make that more true.”
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 spend every 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.