57. Opaline
Opaline
Everette's love and utter devotion are so potent through the bond that they nearly have me lightheaded and dizzy from his adoration.
Hand-in-hand we're practically skipping to my old room here at the resort, in the staff lodging.
Happy hums and sweet giggles chase behind us as we go, my hair caught in the slight wind.
A sudden arm wrapping around my waist has me stopping in my tracks, Ever's warmth meeting my chest as he turns me in his arms to rest his forehead to mine.
"My girl. My mate. My everything."
"My love. My mate. My home," I whisper back under the dark evening sky, following his cadence. His lips meet mine in a short kiss, finalizing our declarations before pulling away with a disbelieving smile.
We make it to my old room, sitting nearly empty.
In his haste to claim me, my alpha had ripped my leggings straight down the middle.
Instead of wearing the random, ill-fitting sweats we found in the back of the SUV, we're here so I can change.
Luckily, even though I had moved into the pack house, I had left bare and basic necessities at Adrian's suggestion for peace of mind should I ever need to have a little alone time.
Opening the drawer, I pull out a pair of folded, faded jeans and quickly slip them on.
I've become so accustomed to the soft, perfectly tailored clothing they've filled my nest closet with, that the material as I slip them on feels nearly abrasive.
"Look at you, already used to princess treatment and fine clothing.
" The little voice in my head that's followed me for so long begins to speak.
But…the words don't really land. In fact, they seem to dissipate before even fully materializing.
With the depth of true love coming through from the alpha before me, how on earth could I possibly entertain such thoughts?
I can't help but wonder if it's not just the love and unyielding adoration from Ever that's stopping the thoughts in their tracks.
My alpha is grounded, kind, sweet, positive, and so insightful and centered…
of course everything he is, is now a part of me, too.
Little moments in recent days and weeks flash through memory as I put small pieces together, wondering if each of my mates' essence had seeped in and helped me in moments I needed them, without even realizing it.
Sage's humor and depth of feeling, Calder's insane power and insight, Adrian's strength and protectiveness.
And now, my sweet, soulful, loving Ever.
Even when they're not with me, I can count on them.
The renewed realization sends so much emotion through me that it feels like electricity coating my skin and lifting the tiny hairs on my arms.
Finding a clip on the dresser, I take advantage of it and try to smooth my wild, freshly-fucked halo of hair.
A wave of mild amusement hits me, and I realize the new sensation is distinctly Ever.
Turning to my alpha, I tilt my head, stepping towards him as he leans against the wall. "What's so funny, huh?"
He shrugs. "Nothing. I guess I'm just happy and content. And I love seeing you like this."
"Like what?"
"Happy, at ease…well pleasured and relaxed."
"Hey!" I laugh, smacking his bicep before he pulls me playfully into his arms. Laughter echoes between the walls of the small space as we settle our play-fighting and simply hold one another, appreciating the new connection we share.
"I love feeling you. It's literally a dream. No class in school could ever accurately describe this sensation. It's unbelievable." And I couldn't agree more. It's one thing to describe sharing a deep connection that comes from a claiming. But feeling it is another thing entirely.
It's a soul connection. On our deepest levels of being, I feel him…feel them. Their range of emotions and sometimes even hints at what they're likely thinking. It's knowing each of us will never be alone again.
"Speaking of bonds…ready for me to open the connection to the others?" At his slightly nervous but excited smile, I ease open the link to the others I had tried to muffle so Ever and I could be alone in our connection. Through me, he'll be able to feel each of them slightly now, too.
Once a pack bond is complete, somehow the universe…
our inner primals…whatever it is that guides our ancestral biology…
recognizes the full circle, and its closure.
I expect our bonds to all grow much deeper, feeling and sharing more than we could before.
At least, that's what's supposed to happen from what we've all been taught since a young age.
Holding my mate close, I open my connection with each of them, as the heart of the pack. Focusing on the various threads, the feeling grows, all of our connections seemingly reaching out for the others in order to close some kind of mystical loop now shared between us.