Being with them feels so damn good.
But it feels like part of me is missing, a lost puzzle piece.
I frown in the direction that Forsythe went. “What doescor meamean?”
It's Grieves who answers, thumb brushing circles on my pulse point. “It's Latin. It means ‘my heart’.”
The organ in my chest lurches. No, that can’t be right. “He called me that on our third day on the show.”
Court hums. “Indeed. He knew who you were to us from the beginning.”
I think he means for it to be reassuring, but instead it cuts. He knew who I was from the beginning without scenting me, knew what we could have had together and still chose to send me away. Still chose Isadora over me. And now, he’s making the same choice.
Only it’s worse.
Because he’s choosing to leave his entire pack, not just me.
Episode 19: She Bends, They Break
Grieves
When Florence comes marching into her house early the next morning, determination clear in her stance, something wakes up inside me. This is my mate. Fierce. Determined. Strong. Bloody beautiful.
Watching her call out Forsythe, poking holes in his martyrdom and his plan for our future, I’m not sure I’ve ever been prouder. She said everything I’ve been too terrified to say to him, called him a coward for following his duty. She was right of course.
To an extent.
But I’m also fairly certain Sythe has no clue how to choose anything but his duty. He’s been doing it for so long. Ever since we formed our pack, he’s been scrambling to make it up to his grandmother by being her perfect little soldier.
Makes me feel like shit if I’m honest.
But now here’s Florence storming into the small space we’ve been sleeping in like a whirlwind, eyes bright andhands fisted, wearing one of my t-shirts because she somewhat sheepishly admitted she sleeps better with our scent in her nostrils. We all look up at her, bleary eyed since the sun isn’t even poking over the horizon.
“I’ll go to Bravonne with you,” she says in a rush, like if she doesn’t say the words fast enough she won’t get them out at all.
“Really?” Forsythe scrambles to his feet, likely intending to sweep her into his arms and murmur sweet nothings in her ear, but Ren holds out a hand to stall him. They haven’t talked since Sythe stormed out and I can’t really blame her for needing the distance.
“I’m not agreeing to anything but that. Just going with you.” Her eyes flick to Piers, then scan over the rest of us. “I don’t want to be the reason your pack breaks. I don’t want Piers to stay here while the rest of you go. I want to give you all time to… try to figure it out, I guess.” She looks back at our prime. “You said you need to go back, so I’ll come with you. But this doesn’t mean I’m going to be your mistress or let you help me through my heat or-or anything.” She jabs a finger at our beta. “I’m doing it for him.”
“And for you, a little bit, right, Pixie?” Court asks anxiously. “You feel better when we’re near you and you want to keep feeling that way.”
Ren’s brow furrows. “Yeah, I guess. It’ll just make it harder when-”
“No,” I growl out not wanting to hear her say again that we’re going to leave her, hurt her. “No. Never again, bubbles. I promise you.”
Thayer nods. “We’ll take this at your pace, killer, but you have to know that none of us are going to leave you.”
My omega blows out a breath, shoulders sagging. “So maybe we just have a platonic relationship? No kissing or touching or any of that.” Her fingers rub against her chest. “It confuses my omega, and until you’re ready to commit to me-”All of us open our mouths to reassure her that we are committed to her, but she doesn’t give us the option. “Andonlyme, I can’t allow things to get physical. Not like before.”
We all wince, even Piers, though he manages a sharp nod. “Done. I am absolutely one hundred percent committed to you.”
She gives him her sweet smile. One that makes me jealous as hell. It’s been so long since she’s smiled at me like that. “I know you think that, but you’re committed to them too. And if they decide to bond Isadora, you’ll have to go along with it.”
“That’s never gonna happen,” I tell her, pushing to my feet and advancing on her, needing to be close to her while I make this promise. “Ever, bubbles. I can promise I’ll never bond any omega but you. I don’t want any omega but you. Even if Forsythe breaks our pack bond and it breaks the scent match too, I’ll still only want you.” I run a knuckle down her soft cheek, pinch her chin to keep her eyes on me. “There will never be another omega for me. For any of us.”
She frowns and shakes her head. “You say that but-”
“No, killer,” Thayer says, coming over to join me. “No ‘buts’. I’ve never wanted anything or anyone the way I want you. Finding you, spending the last month without you, seeing what life is like when you’re not a part of it? Fucking hell. Absolute bloody nightmare. We were falling apart without you, love.”
