67. Dagan
Dagan
The Nest Store is an insane place, and if I never have to set foot in one again, I’ll be all the happier.
It’s late when we get back to the house. Finian’s already got the front hall light on, and the door swings open as we step inside. I guess having a ghost in the house and in the pack has its perks.
“I need to talk to you guys.”
Clara’s voice cuts through the quiet as we all settle into the couches in the living room. Every alpha, including me, goes into high alert.
“No, it’s not… it’s not bad… I don’t think.” That does nothing to ease anyone’s apprehension. She exhales slowly, then says, “Finian, can you be here too, please?”
The scent of baked bread curls around us, warm and grounding. A small part of me relaxes just from having my entire pack, and our omega, in one place.
“What’s the matter, My Omega?” I sign, taking her face in my hands and brushing my thumbs along her cheeks.
“Nothing’s the matter.” She says it softly, but she’s not meeting my eyes. “I just—I want to bond.”
She blurts it out so fast that I freeze. Did she just say that? Or did my alpha brain short-circuit and drop me into a dream?
She looks like a deer caught in headlights, and then, purrs start. One from Bram. Another from Jack. A third from Victor. She visibly relaxes at the sound. I wish I could purr for her, but when she wraps her arms around me and smiles, I know she doesn’t care.
Then another purr joins in. One I’ve never heard before. It’s deep, resonant, almost vibrating through the air like something coming from the next room.
It’s Finian.
Everyone’s eyes widen, but no one comments.
“We want that too, Ghost. We always have. We just didn’t want to spook you,” Bram says. I nod in agreement, and Finian’s ghostly purr affirms it as well.
Clara looks around, searching each face. My brother’s eyes are full of regret and longing.
His scent is tinged with sadness. Clara reaches a hand out to him, and his eyes flare before he takes it in both of his, bringing her knuckles to his lips.
“It’s okay,” he says, voice low and rough. “I understand.”
I frown and so does Clara.
He chuckles softly and runs a thumb along the little crinkles between her brows. “What’s that look for, Spooky Girl?”
“Do you really think I don’t want to bond with you?” she asks.
My heart soars.
Victor looks truly, heartbreakingly taken aback. His gaze drops to their joined hands. Jaw tight. Eyes shining. She pulls him closer, and between the two of us, she’s effectively caged in. One of her hands rests over his heart. The other slides up to the back of his neck.
“Of course I want to bond with you. I love you,” she says. Her gaze flicks to me and then to Bram and Jack, then into the ghostly air where I'm guessing she senses Finian. “All of you.”
Vic tor's eyes close, and a tear slips free, trailing down to his jaw. He tips forward, resting his forehead against mine over her.
“I don’t deserve it. I don’t—” He swallows hard. “I don’t think you want to be in my head, Spook. It’s not a pleasant place. I’m working on it, but it’s… it’s not nice.”
He means therapy. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but I can see him trying so hard. I tell him so, and he swallows again, like he’s trying to clear the weight in his throat.
“I decide who deserves my heart. And you have it, Victor,” she says.
He bends to press a kiss to the crown of her head.
“You all do,” Clara says. “I need you all.”
Bram and Jack move in, boxing her in on the other sides, and I can sense Finian just out of sight. Close, but letting her have this moment.