Chapter Twenty-Two
Chase
“What the fuck was that?”
Lucky claimed he was fine, that he was crying from the honour Omha had shown him, and had gone to the toilets held in the only solid building nearby to wash his face.
Ford leaned against the wall and beckoned Chase closer.
“Get your mind out the gutter.”Chase wished he’d be serious.This wasn’t the time for flirting, but damn it if Chase’s breath didn’t hitch when Ford put a finger through his belt loop and tugged him close.
“You really gonna question a sign from Omha?That shit ain’t something you fuck with.If She tells us Lucky gets two mates, then why the fuck you arguing, meda?Our omega has done right by his Goddess his entire life and this is just Her showing gratitude.Our boy is blessed and that’s a fucking gift.
“She kept him safe from Lincoln, cursed that fucker when Lucky asked, and revealed the mate bond against the known rules of bonds to make sure he were safe on OX.”Ford cocked an eyebrow, rhyming off all the ways Omha had taken care of Lucky.
Chase nodded, accepting he was right.All the laws stated that an alpha had to reveal the bond to the omega before they could feel it.He’d never heard of an omega sensing the bond first until Lucky, and now Kain.
“It’s fucking scary,” Ford admitted with a faint smile.“That’s why we got the Bonding Guide.They can see a bond and if Omha says it exists, ain’t no one gonna argue.Omha’s will bypasses all the laws of all provinces.Ain’t nobody taking our omega away from us,” he whispered, reading Chase’s mind.“You ain’t wrong to doubt.It just shows how much you want this bond to exist and how badly you love us.”
He was right.It wasn’t that Chase didn’t want the bond to exist, but he felt like he was standing on a ledge, just waiting for someone to push him off and tell him this incredible, impossible bond was too good to be true.He didn’t want to get his hopes up and have them destroyed.Chase couldn’t say it out loud, because how the fuck did an alpha admit he was scared?It was like bearing his throat to a wolf and asking to be bitten.Only, Ford would enjoy the biting and make sure Chase did too.
“Stop thinking, meda.”Ford closed the distance to kiss him.
If Omha was so powerful, maybe She could help him fight this ridiculous charmer.Chase sank into the kiss, raking his fingers through Ford’s hair as a hand caressed his stomach.Chase grabbed Ford’s wrist to stop him, as fingers curled around his cock.Breaking the kiss, he considered stepping back to put space between them.“You’re damned lucky I’m not an omega.”
Ford removed his hands and folded them at the small of his back, looking disgustingly innocent.“You saying you’d be running with slick?”
“You’re a bastard.”
“Sue me.I’ve been waiting to snog you all day.”He winked, despite the people walking past who could overhear him.He really had no shame.
The door squeaked open, wiping the smile from Ford’s face as Lucky emerged, touching his hair.Wrapping his arm around Lucky’s neck, Ford ignored Chase’s teasing and looked around.He pointed to one of the few stalls that involved playing a game to win prizes.“Let’s go see what that’s like.You like wolves, don’t ya?”
Lucky hummed, no doubt recognising the teasing tone.“I’m not sure I need another one.The one I have is already trouble, and he bites,” he remarked, looking so innocent no one would realise he meant Ford.
Chase barked a laugh and kissed him in appreciation for that fire.A lot had happened lately, but he never had to worry, because Lucky always bounced back.He hoped it stayed that way forever.
Lucky swung his hands behind his back.“But you can still try.”
“Try.”Ford scoffed, offended by the insinuation he’d fail.“You’re looking at the best ORT marksman in a decade.”Taking Lucky’s hand, he led the way through the thinning crowd.
The young man behind the stall handed Ford a toy rifle after he paid for his turn.“Get all ten and you can have your pick of the big prizes on the wall.Between five and ten, you get the middle row, and anything under four gets nothing.”
Chase shook his head and leaned on the post at the front of the stall, where the barrier held the cartridge of pellets for the gun.Ford loaded them with expert military precision.
Ford’s smile only grew when Lucky backed into Chase’s arms to wait.“When I’m done, you can win me a flower.”Lifting the rifle to his shoulder, he got it in a comfortable hold, winked at Lucky, and aimed.Scanning the rolling wall of targets twice, he took a single shot.
Then, in an instant…he massacred the game, lowering the rifle with a pleased nod.Flipping the rifle to extend the handle to the seller, he propped a hand on his hip.“The wolf, kiddo.”
The seller rolled his eyes and grabbed the wolf to shove at Ford.
The teddy was easily a handful, from his sternum to the top of his head.When he handed the wolf over, Lucky had never looked happier.Beaming in delight, he lifted one hand to brush its ear, naked affection in his eyes.
“Thank you, my wolf.”He tucked the wolf to his side and tipped his head in a clear request for a kiss.
The look on Ford’s face was golden, like Lucky had just given him the moon.He dutifully cupped the back of Lucky’s head and bent to kiss him.“You’re welcome, my flower.”
Ford
