Kip studied me for a moment. “I want to make you a promise, to tell you nothing will happen to me, but we both know I can’t do thatandkeep my promise not to lie to you. We can only hope for the best for both of us.” He sighed. “That said, I want to talk about the two of us seeing someone.”
I knew it would come up eventually. “Okay.”
He blinked. “Really? That easy? Wow, that’s a shock.”
“I want to argue, but I can’t. I’m falling apart. Knowing I should probably be dead? That kills me.”
His lips twisted. “Not even funny.”
“If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. I’m already fading. I can’t even sit outside because I’m terrified the next time I won’t survive. It was bad enough someone other than you touched me, but this? It freaks me out.”
Kip swallowed. “Look, I can’t tell you things will work out. We all know life doesn’t go the way we hope. What Icantell you is you’re my best friend, my lover, my submissive. All those things will make me fight for you—for us—every time.” He locked gazes with me. “But you gotta hear me, Mase. I need you to talk to me. You have to tell me what’s going on in that pretty little head of yours.”
“You think I’m pretty?” I teased.
“YouknowI do. And don’t try to wheedle your way out of this conversation.”
I expelled a soft breath. “Losing you would kill me. I mean that literally. I can’t live without you. An Omeganeedstheir Dominant to survive. We’re not meant to be on our own. So if you leave, I’ll die. If you die, I’ll follow.” It was my turn to give a hard swallow. “I’ve imprinted on you, and I guess I’m scared of the future.”
“Then take my hand and walk by my side. Where you go, I go. WhereIgo, you’re always welcome to come along. I know you’ve had some shit thrown your way growing up, and that probably scares you, so I’m gonna make a vow, righthere and now.” His eyes gleamed. “I’m your best friend, and you’re stuck with me.”
“I trust you,” I said quickly. “Don’t ever think I don’t. I’m afraid of what will happen if the person who attacked me decides to come after you.”
He smiled then, and it was the scariest fucking thing I’d ever seen in my life.
“Then they die,” he retorted.
My blood ran cold when I realized he meant it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mason
The three monthsfollowing that talk with Kip brought one important change, in the shape of Dr. Allison Briggs.
We’d told John about wanting to go through therapy, and he’d recommended her. She was a werewolf, an older woman, with gray hair and bright, sparkly eyes. She proved to be a good listener.
She also had boxes of tissues placed about the room, which I made liberal use of. And my first private visit with her had dropped a mega bombshell.
I’d talked abouteverything: how my childhood had been, how life changed after meeting Kip, and all the events up to the present. She listened, asked questions, but made no judgments. When I’d finally dried up, she studied me for a moment.
“Now I understand why it was suggested that I work with you. After all, we have so much in common.” When I frowned, she smiled. “Didn’t your Alpha tell you? I’m an Omega.”
I was stunned into silence. I always thought an Omegacould only do what their Dominant agreed with. It was like that when Jerome had given me permission to go to college.
Dr. Briggs arched her eyebrows. “You seem shocked. Why?”
“I… I’ve always thought an Omega had zero choices. That we were meant to be a ‘housewife’,” I air-quoted. “You know, looking after the home. But being adoctor?”
Her gaze grew kind. “I’m not surprised you have such a preconceived notion of what it means to be an Omega. Everyone does.” She leaned back in her chair. “The thing is, our Dominant shapes our world. When I met Chris—myDominant—he asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I’d never thought about it because, like you, I was told my place was to serve. He said that was true, but that service comes in many forms. I was the first in his polycule. After that, we added Courtney, Melanie, and Doug.”
I blinked. “Doug?”
She smiled. “Chris has certain… itches he likes scratched from time to time when it comes to bedroom fun. Plus, Doug makes an amazing peach cobbler we all love.” She shrugged. “I won’t deny relationships like ours are a lot of work, but it’s made easier by being honest with each other. For instance, if we feel that Chris is favoring one of us over the others, we talk about it.” She gazed at me. “It doesn’t do any good to let things fester, because that only leads to harsh feelings.”
My face heated up. “I…I don’t want a polycule. I know it’s selfish of me, but?—”
She raised her hand. “You can stop right there. Not everyone is cut out for a polycule. It takes so much effort to make it work, and in some cases that never happens.” Dr. Briggs tilted her head to one side. “Has Kip asked for you to be part of one?”
