CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Simon drifts up to my nest a few minutes later, and I crawl into his arms, settling against him. I check on my mate bonds, concern flooding through them from my mates. I swallow hard and send back what reassurance I can.
“So,” Simon begins gently, “Marcus isn’t immune to you?”
I shake my head, rubbing away the last of my tears.
“I thought something was up, but I never would have guessed that. Not in a million years.”
“You thought something was up? Really?”
“Kit-kat, he’s clearly crazy about you and always has been. It’s been plain to see since day one. I just thought he was attracted to youdespitean immunity.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s biologically impossible.”
He shrugs and pulls me closer, nestling me against his body. “Maybe, maybe not. It’s different for me since I’m a beta. Scent doesn’t affect me the way it affects you and your alphas. I like the way you and Cass smell, but it doesn’t really affect my attraction to you, you know? I guess it’s kind of hard to explain since I’ve never known anything different,but I never saw why it couldn’t be the same or similar for Marcus.”
I pause, thinking his words over. I’ve always known that things have been different between me and Marcus versus typical omegas and their honor guards. Closer than Bitsy and Connor, closer than Ellie and Jace. Our relationship has always been more intimate than professional, but I’ve always been too afraid to question why that was. I cherished Marcus too much to risk finding out the truth.
“I’ve been a coward.”
“You, a coward? Never, Junes. You and Marcus have always been something unique, maybe something even unprecedented. He truly cares for you. Loves you.”
“And he’s willing to put all his feelings aside to protect me,” I murmur against his chest.
“Don’t you think that speaks to the depths of his love for you? He’s resisted every alpha instinct he’s had for nearly two years—all because your safety was more important. I think that speaks volumes.”
I nuzzle his neck where the collar of his shirt meets his skin and snuggle closer. “It doesn’t change the fact that he lied to me.”
I feel a flash of shame from Simon with my affinity, and when he speaks, he’s stricken. “We’ve all kept things from you for our own stupid reasons, often because we thought we were protecting you. It’s never been the right thing to do.”
“But Marcus saw what all of your secrets did to me. He saw how the lies destroyed me,” I say softly.
“Ah, love. Junes. I’m sorry. You’ll never know how sorry I am for my part in keeping secrets from you.” He kisses my temple and strokes my cheek with a sigh. “But you forgave me. You forgaveusbecause, for some unfathomable reason, you love us. And I think you love Marcus too.”
“I do,” I say in a small voice. It’s something I’ve barelyadmitted to myself, let alone anyone else, but I feel lighter with the words out in the world, shared in the small space between me and my beta.
“Then take the time to come to terms with his lies. Take the time you need to forgive him. You deserve his love, Juniper. And I think he deserves yours, too. He’s a good alpha, and he would do anything for you, just like the rest of us. He belongs here, with you. With our pack.”
Our pack. I let out a long breath. It’s still such a beautiful thought to me, this pack, and Marcus’ protection and devotion are part of the reason I evenhavemy pack. He protected me, he encouraged me to follow my heart. He stood by my side as I faced the trials that earned me my place at Fairhaven Academy. In two years, he’s done so much for me. I nod against Simon’s chest. Deep in my heart, I know Marcus is meant to be part of my pack.
“Now,” he says. “Send your alphas some love through your bonds and curl up and get some sleep with me. You’ve been running yourself ragged lately. Screw self-defense training. Screw studying. You need a break.”
I do. I send love down my bonds to Cassian, then Luca, then Ian to assure them that I’m okay. That I will be. Then, I curl up with Simon, my friend, my lover, my rock, and finally fall asleep.
Friday morning,Ian lingers over his coffee with me as we eat breakfast, staying close to my side. He should be with the omegas already, working on their magic with them, but he’s taking his time this morning, purposefully letting himself run late. I see right through him and smile up at him. He brushes a sweet kiss across my lips, and I sigh and lean into him with a contented smile. It’s a perfect slowmorning. I don’t have my assistantship until after lunch, and I’m currently waiting on a coffee from Cassian. I smile fondly as my pack moves around the kitchen, Simon shaking his hands and blowing on his fingers after retrieving a bagel from the toaster, Luca getting jam and cream cheese from the fridge, just for me. I’m even happy to see Marcus making his usual green smoothie. It all feels so precious, so right, like this is how things are supposed to be.
It’s all ripped out from under me when my head sears with pain.
I swoon, murmuring “vision” just in time for Ian to catch me and carry me to the couch, wrapping me in his arms, before the vision pulls me under.
I see what I’ve seen before.
Omegas in omega traps, their mates being slaughtered before their eyes. Omegas weeping as blood runs down their hands and their hips, tears down their cheeks.
The vision changes, as it always does when I have this one.
Alphas rounding up omegas, casting dark magic and hexes, dragging us to internment camps, killing any who don’t comply.
