“There was a guy at your school who was trying to become part of the pack with…”
“Marcus and John.” Their names roll off my tongue with a bitter taste.
“Yes. When he found out why he was after you, he refused to participate, and they beat him up. But he was able to get the information to another pack, and they came here to help you. When they saw you.” Storm stops, pausing.
“They were disgusted about how I looked.” I bite back, thankful they came to help, but hurt about it at the same time.
“No, the opposite actually. Turns out they’re your Kismet bonds,” Torin says, a soft smile on his face. “They’ve been waiting to see you.”
“That can’t be. I already bear an Arcane bond. No one would want me. Much less a Kismet. How do we even know it’s true?”
“We’ve been waiting for you to wake up to confirm it,” Torin tells me.
“Once they know everything about me, they’ll run.” I want to cry, but I refuse to. It’s best if they just go and find an omega who isn’t broken like me.
“They do know everything. I told them. If they couldn’t handle it, I wanted them to leave before you woke up, and then we’d never tell you.”
“What!” I shriek. “How could you?”
“Because I love you. I didn’t want them to hurt you when they saw you. When you told them about yourself. When they saw the marks. But they don’t care. They just want to see you.” Storm takes my hand, squeezing it gently and reassuringly.
“Give them a chance, River. They’re not bad guys. And well, you kinda already know them.”
I raise my eyebrow in confusion. How could I know them?
“Who are they?” I gulp.
“Do the names Roman, Nash and Holden ring a bell?”
My heart drops into my stomach.
Chapter 40
River
It took a few minutes, but I finally agreed to meet them. They already knew it was me, so my secret was out of the bag. I just wonder now if they will be angry knowing how I deceived them.
“I’m sorry, River,” Torin whispers.
“Stop it right now. You did not fail me. You’re my hero. You saved me, Torin, so don’t ever feel guilty about that. Do you understand me? Don’t make me kick your omega ass.” He gazes at me and I stare right back at him, never blinking, until we both laugh.
“I wish I could’ve saved you sooner.” I take a step forward, throwing my arms around his neck and hug him tightly.
The door opens, and a throat clears as we pull apart, and I come face to face with Nash, Holden and Roman. A mixture of pineapple, lime, cherry and chocolate fills the room, and my heart begins to race. An invisible pull draws me to them as my pulse quickens.
“My bonds,” I whimper.
“Yes, River. We are.” Roman’s deep alpha voice speaks.
“This can’t be.” I whine. “You don’t want me. I’m broken. The three of you deserve better.” I hate that I’m saying it but it’s how I feel.
“You’re wrong. I don’t see anyone broken. What I see is someone with so much strength that they’ve endured every bit of trauma they’ve been dealt ,and come out stronger for it.” Holden insists.
“I see an omega, who has the strength to turn all the bad in her life into something positive. Someone who helps those who can’t stand up for themselves,” Nash whispers, a smile beaming on his face as he gazes at me.
“I see the best bond we could’ve ever wished for. All we ask is for the time to court you. To prove to you how much we want you. How amazing you are. Nothing else. Just your time. Until you’re ready.”
My jaw drops. They’re smiling at me. There’s no disgusted looks on their faces. Could they really want me? Accept me for who I am? I don’t know how to answer.
