"We can sit like this as long as you need first," I assured softly, arms tightening around him to prove my point. "But I think a walk and some space might be good for everyone. Indigo will come around, you'll see. They just need a minute."
"I hope you're right," Joon whispered, pulling back to look in my eyes—though it was unlikely that he was seeing much of anything with the layer of silvery tears making his own glassy. His breaths coming in gasps and sobs. “I can’t lose them, Marcus.”
“You won’t.”
I hoped, at least. I knew Indigo; they were my pack, my family.
But they were also Joon’s.
His protector..
His champion.
And if I'd destroyed that for the omega by becoming his alpha, even accidentally... I wasn't sure I could live with myself.
I used my thumbs to wipe away my mate's tears, offering them a reassuring smile that I didn't feel.
"I'm always right, haven't you figured that out by now?"
Joon’s laugh was watery and high in a way that didn’t sound like him at all, but my chest puffed all the same that I was able to earn even a very wet smile.
“God, you’re such a goof.”
“I told you, Joon,” I teased softly, trying to lighten the mood with a kiss to the omega’s nose. “Alpha is just fine.”
"Are you cold?"Marcus asked as he led me down the slushy street.
"A little, but not too bad," I said. “Mostly just happy to be… not there.”
"You're wrapping your arms around yourself," he pointed out.
I was, but I couldn't help it. In the past twenty-four hours my entire world had turned on its head. My boyfriend was mad at me, and on the flip side, his packmate who usually couldn't stand me had somehow turned to goo for me. It all felt backwards, but I couldn't say I hatedallof the changes. Just the ones that didn’t involve Marcus.
Our bond was like a beacon of light in the middle of a storm. I couldn’t get over how different it felt from the connection I’d had before. The last time I was bonded, it felt like I was on a leash all the time, probably the bastard trying to use the tether to control me.
But with Marcus that tugging that’d become synonymous with a bond in my mind was totally absent. I could feel the connection, but it was more of a loose tether than one trying to move me constantly. And his emotions felt so…even. Sure, I'd been able to feel the radiating worry yesterday, but now that it’d faded, he was more of a comfortable lull in the back of my mind. His contentment was clear, and made me feel more balanced.
"I'm fine," I told him.
"If you're sure."
I couldn't help the long blink I took. Who was this guy, and what did he do with my irritated, dismissive alpha?
The sign for Vintage Vibez, a store that had a ton of vintage physical media, was just up ahead. It was sort of like Marcus’ happy place, since they had a bunch of rare and hard to find tapes, but I liked it a lot, too. They always had the best selection of comics, and there was one I'd left behind last time that I was hoping hadn’t been snagged by somebody else.
"Want to stop here first?" Marcus asked, pointing to the pretty pastel shop sign above us.
"Sure. I could go for a snack, honestly.” My stomach had been so fucked this morning that I hadn’t eaten anything, and now that the clock was pushing dinner time… I was starving.
Kiki’s Bakery smelled like espresso, vanilla and fresh bread. Sort of like a holiday candle on steroids, so delicious that it made my stomach growl nearly instantly.
The walls, floors, and counters were white, with furniture that looked more like it was there for aesthetic purposes than for use. My feet carried me to the pastry case as soon as I saw it. There were macarons, cookies, and croissants on one side. The other side of the case was filled to bursting with different Swiss roll cakes. This must’ve been what they were known for, because there seemed to be a million flavors and colors, offering the eye a needed break from the stark white of the room.
My mouth watered, but really, I was eating with my eyes.
"Anything speaking to you?" Marcus asked, his breath skating along my ear making me jump. I'd been so focused on the desserts, I’d forgotten he was here.
"One of those, for sure," I said, pointing to the neatly rolled cakes. “The one with the little peach designs on it is so cute!”
