The bond is definitely back.
It’s more than our pheromones. More than Alpha and Omega biology, but I’ve always known that.
Something more profound binds us, and it’s clear that no matter how far we run in opposite directions, it’s not going to break.
And frack, the bond is tugging at me hard. It yearns.Craves.
Maybe they’ll let me stay close, caught in their orbit around Knox. Near, but never touching. Because whatever force is dragging us together doesn’t erase what I did.
I broke their trust. They don’t owe me comfort, and I don’t get to ask for more.
“Depends,” he answers.
"On what?"
I finally raise my eyes to meet his.
Oh.
In stark contrast to his cool tone, his gaze is fierce and possessive.
I feel it everywhere. My skin tingles and heat rushes to my core. The room shrinks, and just like that, I’m back in the hospital again, seeing my Alpha for the first time. The moment when he burst into my life and gave me permission to finally start living.
Back then I didn’t know what it meant towantsomeone so bad it hurts.
I know now.
Viper raises a hand to my face, slowly, like I’m a wild animal that might bolt.
I hold my breath, unable to move a muscle in anticipation, and when his thumb brushes against my cheek, my nerve endings sizzle.
"On you."
The words barely register. I inhale sharply as he runs over the cut from Blaze. The new skin stings at his touch, just a little, and I lean into it.
"Me?" I squeak and blink hard, trying to focus. “I don’t understand.”
He grunts and runs his thumb over my jaw and under my chin, anchoring it gently at my throat.
I swallow. He strokes the bobbing throat muscles as they work.
“You're my mate, pretty girl. My Omega. Always have been.”
“M— mate? No, I’m not…” I stammer, and gesture to my mating gland, unmarked beneath my leather collar. I’m no one’s mate.
Viper catches my hand and pulls it up to his lips, pressing a chaste kiss to the back of my fingers.
He shakes his head. “I don’t need to bite you to know you’re mine.”
I gape in confusion even as my eyes sting at his confession, doubt battling against the elation catches in my throat.
"You still want me?” I squeak.
He exhales, a little puff of disbelief, and gives me a look like I’ve just asked if the sky is blue.
“But I betrayed your trust, compelled you against your will. I ran away.”
He just huffs, a soft expression of exasperation tugging at the light crow’s feet beside his eyes.
