Page 46 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“Is… what?”

He shakes his head a little with a soft smile, almost like he’s confused I have to ask. But if they do it when I’m not looking, then how am I supposed to know?

“Adoring,” he finally says.

Adoring.

I take in the word, but don’t quite feel ready for it.

“Huh,” I say, then unclip my seatbelt and reach for the door handle. “Walk me to the door?”

He follows me onto the porch and I unlock the front door, then stop before opening it. I lean against it instead, wishing I was leaning against him. Or one of the alphas.

“I know you said before…” I say, glancing up at him, suddenly unsure with how serious things could get. Aury dips his chin for me to continue, but keeps his eyes on me. One hand absently drifts to my arm, lightly stroking it as though he’s unaware that he’s touching me, but some part of him needs to be. It gives me the courage to continue. “I know you said whatever I wanted. But… Would you want to be in a pack? Betas sometimes have strong opinions on that.”

Aury’s eyebrows shoot up and his hand stills. Then he steps forward, caging me against the door.

“I’d be thrilled to be in a pack with you, Moonbeam. And I do find myself drawn to both of the alphas. So if that’s what you want, I’m all in. I’ll say it as many times as you need me to.” His voice is smooth, a gentle, rolling wave as it washes over me. My lips part, but I bite the bottom one to hold in my relieved excitement.

“Yeah?” I breathe, my eyes dropping to his mouth only inches from mine.

“Yes.”

My smile breaks free, and I surge up to press my lips to his. He meets me, kissing me like his life depends on it. His hands roam my body, up my arms and down my back, along my side and around the back of my neck. Pulling and clenching, holding me as close as possible while his lips form to mine.

“Siobhan,” he murmurs into my mouth, and I part my lips for him, swallowing my name.

“Aury,” I attempt to say in reply, but my lips are sealed to his and our tongues are dancing together in the most perfect kiss. “My beta,” I pull away long enough to say, and he groans, then drops down to kiss along my jaw to my ear.

“My omega,” he whispers.

It sends a shiver down my spine and I arch into him. His hands curl around my waist, and then he’s pulling back. He drops one last closed-mouth kiss on my lips and takes a step away, his fingers lingering only a moment before releasing me.

“I think…” I lick my lips, thankful for his unending patience. “I think I need to take it kinda slow though.”

“I know,” he says, that soft, understanding smile never faltering.

Relief blooms through me. “See you tomorrow?”

Aury nods, his dark eyes twinkling. “See you tomorrow.”

I can’t stop grinning. I feel like a fool, but I decide I don’t care. I don’t have any work to do tonight, but I grab a deck regardless, wanting to do a reading for myself. Things seem to be going so well, I want to see what the universe has to say about these budding relationships. It’s too new for me to feel comfortable saying pack yet, but the word whispers across the back of my mind.

I settle sideways on my couch, tracing the ghost of Aury where he sat so many times while staying with me. I tip the turquoise cards into my palm and shuffle, delighting in the freedom of the movement without having to deal with the splint anymore. They make a satisfying swish as they fly between my hands, and then I splay them in a gentle arc in front of me. I let my eyes drift closed, hovering my left hand out over the cards, and then I take a deep breath.

I picture Aury. His light golden skin and dark brown hair. His casual linen pants and loose button down shirts. The black rings adorning his slender fingers, a single silver chain around his neck, and the watch with an actual clock face that’s always on his wrist. Sweet honey with a dash of cinnamon. I smile when his boisterous laugh rings through my mind, echoing between my ears, and my hand falls. I slip the card from the deck and place it facedown to the side.

Then I picture Hayden. Their slutty little glasses and perfectly trimmed beard. The deep brown curls that like to flop onto their forehead, and their strong, veined hands. Healing hands. Life-saving hands. Warm bronze skin. A fitted paramedic uniform that makes my toes curl almost as much as their casual leather jacket. The way they always seem so relaxed, yet ready to leap into action at a moment’s notice. Palo Santo cut with fresh rosemary. A hint of Spanish that slips out every so often. My hand drifts and I skim my fingers over the cards until one feels right, then I pull it out and place it facedown next to Aury’s.

Finally, Jayce. His lightly tanned skin from working outside all summer that turns so delightfully red when he’s embarrassed. Neat blond hair and hazel eyes that glow in the sunlight. Worn jeans that strain to contain his thick thighs, and broad shoulders that press against the casual flannel he wears loose and unbuttoned. Like it’s begging me to tuck myself into it with him. Patches of freckles along the collar of his shirt and the cuffs at his wrists that make me catch my breath. His deep voice, and the way he subconsciously leans into Hayden. The dorky gifts he’s brought for Aury and me so far. At that thought, my hand zooms to the left, snagging the card on the end.

I blink my eyes open, take a deep breath, then scoop the deck up and set it aside. I take each card and place them in front of me, then one by one turn them over.

Aury: Three of Cups. A quiet laugh escapes me and a grin stretches across my face. Of course he’d get Three of Cups. He brings laughter and friendship, and this card indicates loyalty and happiness in a relationship. I stroke one finger down the card in thanks, then turn to the next one.

Hayden: Six of Swords. I tilt my head and pick the card up, running the tip of my finger along the smooth edge as I contemplate it. A darker image compared to most in this deck, the two swans carry away a warrior who is dropping their sword. Various other birds flit after the trio, carrying other items in their beaks.

This one could go either way. Moving on, transition. Putting something painful behind me. Ahhh. I shake my head at my tricky little deck. I was badly injured only a couple weeks ago—an injury Hayden came to my rescue for. This card means moving away from the turbulence and pain, towards calm waters. In this context, I think it’s telling me they can be a steady presence for all of us during this time of transition. It can also indicate quiet generosity, which feels accurate for Hayden, from what I know of them anyways.