Page 78 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“No, pretty omega.” I sigh. “That’s not what I want. I don’t want to control you. I just want to be with you. Part of your life, in whatever way you’ll have me.”

Her brows pinch, and she swallows hard, staring at me. “Oh.”

I force myself to hold eye contact with her and I leave the bond wide open on purpose this time as she processes, then appears to decide to take me at my word. Guilt trickles in from her side of the bond. I can feel Aury’s eyes on us, Hayden’s too, but I don’t relent. I send affection and comfort back, holding back the stronger emotions I feel for her. I’m afraid those will send her running as fast as it would if I did have a desire to control her.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. She slides to the floor to face me on her knees, and I gather her into my arms. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“Me either.” I tuck my nose into her wild blonde hair and she nuzzles into my neck, then takes a deep breath of my smoky scent. Calm washes through me and her heart beats a steady rhythm against mine. I stroke a hand down her spine and she cuddles into my chest, pressing closer until I’m sure there’s not an inch of space between us. I envelope her in my arms and hold on tight.

“We’ll figure it out together?” she says.

I hate that she phrased it as a question. I’d do anything for this woman. “Together,” I reply.

Chapter Forty-One

Hayden

Do I love that Siobhan is planning to meet up with someone who has already tried to harm her? No. Do I understand she’s an adult and can make her own decisions? Yes.

Does my inner alpha care? Absolutely not.

I’m at the EMT training facility despite having today off, because I had to take some space to come to terms with her decision. Sweat pours down my back as I run stairs, and I’m so in my own head that I hardly notice when I pass my fire fighter friend as he jogs down the stairs in the opposite direction. It’s not until he flips around and leaps after me, then matches my pace that I do a double take.

“Oh. Hey, Seth.”

His brows go up and he eyes me like I’ve lost my mind. It kind of feels like I have.

“Heard you were out on heat leave,” he says.

I nod, not slowing my pace despite the stitch in my side.

“Right. Soooo, did it not go well then?”

“What?” I stumble on a step and he reaches out, snagging my elbow to stabilize me. “No, it was great. Why would you say that?”

Somehow his eyebrows go even higher and he gives me a pointed look. “Maybe the fact that you’re back early and choosing to run stairs rather than cuddling up with your omega?”

I pause, chest heaving, and place one hand on the rail. “Heat was good. Don’t like something she’s planning to do for her career.”

He stops next to me and leans forward, bracing one foot three stairs up so he can stretch. “Why’s that?”

“She’s meeting up with this other woman who has already acted maliciously towards her. Puts my alpha on edge.” I run my fingers through my sweaty curls, pushing them back from my forehead.

“Oof,” Seth says. “Don’t love that. Good luck!” Then he claps me on the shoulder and proceeds to start high-knees up the stairs.

“Wha—That’s it?” I say, darting after him. “Good luck?”

“Oh,” he stops, looking down at me. “Did you want advice or something?”

“Well, I don’t know.” I frown and fist my hands on my hips. “Do you have advice?”

He shrugs. “I mean, not really. You have to do the best you can, right? Let her do her thing, and try to keep her as safe as you can without interfering.”

I blink, taking in his easy answer.

“And,” he says with a chuckle, “torture yourself on the stairs, apparently.” Then he takes off again and I’m left staring at the blank stairwell wondering how the hell I can keep her safe without interfering.

I call Aury as soon as I’m showered, hoping he’s not with Siobhan at the moment.