21. Sage
Sage
The continuous roar of the aggressive bubbles from the hot tub jets overpowers almost all other sounds surrounding the side patio. Between their constant white noise and the chill in the night air contrasting with my submerged skin's warmth, I'm in a daze, eyes closed and relaxed.
I've been practicing, trying to focus on my new bond with Opal.
Everything else fades away until all I feel is her.
I keep my side of our bond locked down, which I've also gotten better at, so I don't interrupt her date night with Adrian.
I really want this to go well, and I don't want to interrupt or interfere in any way.
I recognize it's a total one-eighty from my recent behavior when it comes to her.
Having that constant connection between us, always knowing she's there…even when she really isn't, has quietened the anxious and chaotic noise I always felt; that need and demand from my primal to be stuck to her ass like a barnacle.
I still have worries that pop up, conditioned from years of bullshit, but they're not all-consuming anymore. They're thoughts that come and then leave, no longer leaving me an obsessive mess thinking the worst is happening.
It's truly unlike anything I've ever felt, unlike anything I could have even dreamed of.
I don't just…think of her; I feel her now.
It's a constant connection I can tap into, knowing my omega is safe and happy.
Hell, I know when she's hungry, turned on, annoyed, or borderline pissed.
I haven't felt any actual anger from her yet, but I have no doubt that as time goes on, with all of us assholes, eventually she's gonna lose it.
My money's on Adrian and under two months.
A smile tugs at my lips at the thought. Such a silly image, but it brings me joy just imagining a normal, everyday situation that packs experience.
We get that sought-after life. Somehow, the universe decided we deserved Opaline.
I know each of us will make sure she has the best life she could ever want.
I guess that might just officially start with what we have planned for her this weekend.
We're going out on a date as a pack for the first time since Adrian got his head out of his ass.
Fuck, the day she got lost on the trail was the worst of my life, which says a lot.
But that day also brought us all together as a real pack.
I've felt flickers of confusion over the last couple of weeks, through Opaline's end of our connection when she shares little moments with Adrian.
She doesn't feel stressed or upset when it happens, though; she's mostly just confused.
That's another reason I want this night to go so well.
Something is off balance still between them, and time alone is exactly what they need.
A blast of happiness hits me, so bright that my smile stretches ear to ear.
Fuck, knowing she's happy and having a good time is probably the best feeling in the world.
Selfishly, I wish I could dive deeper and feel more.
Like, see flashes through her eyes. Not in a creepy way though.
Fuck, that is a little creepy, huh? Opal's amusement, specific to me, shoots directly through, and I know without a doubt she felt where my mind was going.
Damn, maybe I need to work more on keeping my side locked down.
Drawing myself away from our inner connection, I make sure to give her space…and not dig myself into a deeper hole, making my omega think I'm a creepy bastard. Either way, she's stuck with me.
Soft but heavy footsteps shuffle over the wooden patio, my senses always homed in on my soundings, even past the white noise of the hot tub. Opening my eyes, I blink a few times to clear my vision and see Calder coming over in swim trunks. "Bathing suit, huh?"
"Uh, yeah. Why wouldn't—Sage, are you nude?"
Shrugging, I reach for my water sitting off to the side. Condensation drips down the glass as I pick it up, ice clinking and cold against my warm hand.
Climbing in, he sits opposite me in one of the built-in reclined seats. It's his favorite spot. Probably because it has a million massage jets. "Anyway, just got off the phone with dad."
"Yeah?" I ask. "How'd it go? How's your mom?"
"Yeah, she's..." he laughs. "She's better than great. Filled her in on your new mating mark after Opaline's Heat. To say she's thrilled would be an understatement. If you haven't checked your phone, I'm sure you're about to have a stream of texts coming through."
I laugh, but really, the fact I have someone so excited for my own happiness is a gift I won't ever get over. "I haven't checked it, but I will," I chuckle. "Fuck, it's unreal." I rub my hand over my chest, where I feel our omega the most, hoping he knows what I mean.
"Yeah," he says softly, shaking his head in disbelief.
"I can't believe where we are now compared to a few months ago.
If someone'd told me then that we'd have found our scent match and you and I would be bonded to her?
I would have either laughed or punched them for being a cruel asshole.
" He absolutely would not have, but I get his sentiment.
I don't say anything in return, but the look we exchange says it all. We're on the same page when it comes to her.
"Uh, listen Sage. I have something to tell you guys, about the reason why I went to see my parents' pack."
I rack my brain trying to remember the reason. I know it was something for legal or paperwork we needed from the state. "Um, okay. What's up?"
"I should have told you before leaving," he says shifting a little in the bubbling water. "I guess I just wanted to wait for the right moment, once she'd bonded more than just me. Anyway…the real reason I drove down was to pick up a family heirloom."
"I mean, alright. That's not a big deal. Can you tell me what it is?" I'm so fucking confused about why we're being so serious right now, but I match his vibe all the same.
"A ring," he says.
My attention jumps from the mesmerizing water to him, my back snapping up straight. "Like…"
"Yes," he cuts in, lead energy radiating through with the strength only he of us possesses.
"Now that you've bonded, the gravity is really weighing in.
This is real, official, she's not going anywhere, and Adrian is finally with us.
I want to have a bonding ceremony. Eventually, I mean, obviously.
But, I have the ring ready when the time comes. "
The energy that rockets through me is so powerful, I know I couldn't have locked it down in our bond. "I think it's a great idea. I would love to have a ceremony and I think she would, too. There's so much she's never gotten to experience. If we can give her this, I want to make it happen."
His shoulders visibly relax, a soft smile gracing his face. "I had hoped we'd be on the same page, but I can't say I'm not relieved to hear it. I'll tell the other two when it's right for each of them."
I nod, already half listening, nearly lost in a daydream.
A stream of thought and images of our bonding ceremony float in, one on top of the other.
Clear as day, I can see the altar, flowers, our friends and Calder's parent's pack.
But, fuck, the image of a glowing Opaline walking down the aisle in a beautiful white gown hits me strong enough to bring tears to my eyes.
The sudden weight on my chest makes me clear the thickness building in my throat. "I can't wait. Thank you, brother."