Seth's emotions flood through the bond before I even open my eyes—anxiety, protectiveness, love so intense it steals my breath. His cedar-and-rain scent is everywhere. In the sheets, in my lungs, permanently woven into my skin now.
Bonded.
The word sits heavy in my chest. Permanent. Forever. I begged him to bite me in front of River and Grayson, pulled his face to my throat while I was desperate and heat-dazed and?—
Oh god. What did I do?
"You're panicking." Seth's voice is rough with sleep, his arm tightening around my waist. "I can feel it through the bond. Bea, please—did I mess up? Do you regret?—"
"Oh good, morning panic." I try for sarcasm but it comes out shaky. "My favorite way to start the day."
"Bea—"
"No. Wait." I roll over to face him, and my heart cracks at what I see. His hair is a disaster, there are pillow creases on his cheek, and his eyes are terrified. The deflection dies in my throat. "Seth, no. I don't regret you."
"But you're scared. I canfeelyou scared." His hand trembles against my hip. "And I—god, I bonded you during your first heat with us. My first time withanyoneand I couldn't even wait until you were clear-headed?—"
"I asked you to." I cup his face, forcing him to look at me. "I begged you to. You remember that, right?"
"You were in heat?—"
"And now I'm not." I press my forehead to his. "Heat's over, Seth. I'm completely myself. Clear-headed. And I'm telling you—I don't regret this bond."
Through our connection, I feel his desperation to believe me warring with his fear. "You said you'd never let anyone rush you again. After Terrance?—"
"This wasn't rushing. This wasright." My throat tightens. "I'm scared because it's huge and permanent and I did it so fast. But I'm not scared ofyou. I'm just... adjusting."
"To what?"
"To feeling you constantly." I touch the spot over my heart where the bond lives. "Your anxiety right now—I can feel it like it's my own. Is this what it's going to be like all the time? Because I might need noise-canceling headphones for my emotions."
He makes a choked sound that's half-laugh, half-sob. "Sorry. I'm trying not to freak out but I can't stop thinking about how I—in front of River and Grayson—and you were begging me and I just?—"
"Hey." I kiss him softly. "You gave me exactly what I needed. What Iwanted. Okay?"
His eyes search mine, still uncertain. But slowly, his breathing evens out. His shoulders drop away from his ears.
We lie there for a moment, just breathing together. His fingers trace idle patterns on my hip—content, protective, possessive in a way that makes something warm and satisfied settle deep in my chest.
I lean up and kiss him. Slow and sweet and lingering. His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb stroking my cheekbone with such tenderness it makes my chest ache.
"Love you," I murmur against his lips.
"Love you too." He nuzzles into me, breathing deep. "Can't believe you're really mine."
A low rumble starts in his chest—he's purring for me. The sound is soothing and possessive all at once, making something warm settle in my bones. I don't correct him, don't remind him about River and Grayson. Right now, in this moment, I am his. We'll figure out the pack dynamics later.
"We should probably get up," I say eventually. "Talk to River and Grayson. Figure out... everything."
"They're already up. I can hear them in the kitchen." Seth nuzzles into my neck, breathing deep. "But we can stay here a few more minutes."
"Seth Monroe, are you suggesting we hide in bed instead of facing reality?"
"I'm suggesting we enjoy being bonded for five more minutes before everything gets complicated." His lips brush my throat, right over where his claiming mark sits. "Is that so wrong?"
It's not wrong at all.
But eventually, we do have to get up. Face the pack. Talk about what happens next.
