She turns to face us, wide, petrified blue eyes in a pale face. And glorious, cascading pink curls.
My fists clench. Sienna Michaels isn’t just our mate, selected for us by the powers that be that run the Bonding Trials.
She’s our Soul Bonded. It hits me like a thunderbolt, the knowing, the urge to stride up there, scoop her up and carry her away nearly overwhelming.
“Fuck,” Logan groans. “What do we do?”
Gray takes a half-step forward, but my hand shoots out, grabbing his wrist. I have to make a decision, and I have to make it now.
I just pray to God she’ll forgive me.
“We carry on,” I force out. “As planned.”
“What?” Jax hisses. “You can’t be serious. This changes everything!”
I shake my head, the movement miniscule. “No, it doesn’t. We still have to protect her. Continue with the plan.”
And even if she hates us for it now, maybe one day we can explain. As soon as we get this mess sorted out, we can throw ourselves at her feet for forgiveness.
But right now, we need her out of the firing line.
“Tristan Cohen,” Ollena Hayward calls. “Step forward.”
I brace myself. Beside me, Jax growls, but he doesn’t say anything as I step away from my pack.
Towards my Soul Bonded.
16
SIENNA
My father walks away from me, leaving me free to stare down the aisle at the four alphas in front of me.
There they are.
Oh, God.
Sunlight casts shadows across the path in front of me as Tristan Cohen takes a step forward, his fists clenched. My brow creases before I smooth it out, conscious of the watching eyes waiting to judge us.
He doesn’t exactly look thrilled to be here. Maybe he’s just as petrified as I am.
My body leans forward involuntarily as he stalks up the aisle, his face blank. Taking a deep breath, I choke as his scent hits me, sharp warmth like the bite of whiskey on a winter night wrapping around me. He smells likehome. God, I want to rub myself up against him. My mother would be horrified if I did that in the middle of my Bonding Ceremony though.
Jubilation fills me as his eyes finally lift to mine, his nostrils flaring as he sucks in a breath of his own, his step stuttering slightly.
My lips lift in a tremulous smile, anticipation flipping my stomach upside down as he reaches the circle. This is it. This is the moment he realizes that I’m his Soul Bonded.
Any second now.
Tristan pauses before he takes a step closer, his muscular body brushing against mine. I have to tip my head back to look into his face, his body brushing against mine. Tipping my head back, I stare into his eyes, wondering at the blaze of color. One the vibrant green of the forest lining the wall surrounding Navarre, the other the jeweled blue of the ocean.
Tristan studies me just as intently, his full lips tightened into a flat line.
“Hello.” It’s a whisper between us, dropping like a stone in the awkward silence that I’m met with on meeting my god damned Soul Bonded.
It’s not supposed to be this awkward, right? I mean, I can feel him inside me. It’s a yearning, a draw in my chest pulling me towards him, like I’ve suddenly discovered the North Star.
Maybe I’ve done something wrong? Frowning as my eyes slide down to his chest, I think back. I don’t think I’ve missed anything. Tristan’s face tightens and pulls into a scowl.
