This is what Arlowe was talking about, I know it. “Oh yeah?”
His lips thin then purse. “How… how is your relationship with Zephyr?”
I cringe before I can stop myself.
“That good, eh?”
My eyes roll as I grumble. “He’s not easy to get along with.”
I’m met by raised brows that I narrow my eyes at. I know I’m not easy, either. I don’t needfucking Laurantto tell me so.
“Why do you ask?”
He sighs. “We are putting him in peril by not mating and marking him.”
Now, my brows rise. “What?”
“Apparently, something that the rebellion isn’t making common knowledge for fear of pressure, is that Omegas who areleft unmated and unmarked will go feral. It’s apparently worse if part of the pack is bonded and they remain in close physical proximity with those they aren’t yet bonded with.”
My mind whirls at this.
By my count, he’s only bonded with Nyx. But Nyx should be safe because we’ve all bonded her.
“Fuck.”
“Astute response.”
I glare. “He doesn’t like me.”
“Neither do I, but we do what we must for the pack.”
“He…” I swallow, hesitate.
This is Laurant. He’s a part of our pack, whether I like it or not. He needs to know.
“Nyx told me that he was traumatized by his time in Tenebrosa. She didn’t tell me what happened, but…” My head drops forward a bit. “You can see it. In his eyes.”
Laurant is quiet a moment, then asks, “Do you know where he is?”
“He moved into Nyx’s room.”
He rises and nods at me. “We should speak with him.”
My legs get heavier with each step we take. Into the academy's main hall, to the bottom of the curved stairs, up the first step… it’s like, as I move, more and more lead weights are slapped to my calves and thighs.
I want to mate Zephyr. Bond him. Save him.
But I don’t know if he’ll let me.
That’s why my legs are heavy. The weight is fear. Fear of rejection.
But this is the same fear I dealt with when it came to Nyx. My inaction hurt us both for so long… I don’t want to make the same mistake again, even though I’m headed in that direction. Maybe already there.
Outside Nyx and Zephyr’s door, I am motionless while I stare at the solid wood, eyes dropping to the biometric lock.
I don’t know how long I stand there before Laurant steps in front of me, raises his fist, and knocks. A gentle rap right in the center at face height.
There’s rustling behind the door before it opens about a foot, revealing a smiling Nyx. Her eyes drift from Laurant, to me and back. “Hey, you two. What’s up?”
