Page 98 of Bonded By Tea and Tarot

“You amaze me,” I say, leaning forward to kiss her nose. Her amethyst septum ring glints at me as I pull back.

She giggles and tips her face up for a real kiss, which I’m happy to oblige. When our tea is gone and the pastries nothing but crumbs, we finally stand and I walk us back to my car. The air is crisp and smells like crushed leaves, with Siobhan’s earthy chai drifting on the wind. I pull my phone out and fall a couple steps behind her so I can text the alphas.

Me: Project tea and tarot is a go

Chapter Fifty-Three

Siobhan

The omega gardening club all said they were busy this morning, so I let myself sleep in, although I didn’t sleep as well on my own as what I have been whenever Aury or one of my alphas spends the night. I woke up to Bunny making biscuits on my feet, then meowing and rubbing her cheek against my face when she saw I was awake. Cute little stinker. I take my time drying my hair and then peruse my closet for a comfy but cute outfit for the day.

I decide on a billowy rust colored skirt, a lace-up corduroy halter top in a gorgeous emerald green color, and an oversized cream sweater with flowers embroidered along the sleeves. My favorite thing about this outfit? No bra needed.

I grin and slip it on right before a knock sounds on the door. I check my doorbell camera to see Aury, but he doesn’t come in like I’ve told them all to. I frown and walk out to the entryway, swinging the door open to let him in.

“Good morning, Moonbeam,” Aury says, bowing to me and then holding out one hand. He gives me a quick perusal, so fast I almost miss it. “May I have the pleasure of taking you on a morning stroll?”

Uhm. What?

I stare at him, and he grins. I narrow my eyes, boring my gaze into his. Is that a mischievous grin? What is he hiding? I lean to the side to peer around him, but no one else is here and there’s nothing else amiss.

Bunny meows behind me, and I tug Aury inside so I can close the door.

“What’s going on?” I say, crossing my arms.

Aury huffs and slumps against the door. “I wanted to take you out on a morning walk. This might be the last nice weather we get for the year. Do you not want to? We can stay here, or⁠—”

“No,” I say, “no. I’d love to take a walk.”

I snag a pair of ankle boots from the hallway closet and sit on the entryway bench to lace them up. Aury bends down to scoop up Bunny, showering her in kisses and pets, then he lets her leap back down to the floor when I’m ready to go.

He takes my hand in his and swings them between us as we walk. I’m still a little baffled by his buoyant mood, but it’s lifting my spirits too, so I don’t say anything and decide to enjoy it. We’re barely out of sight of my house when I see someone standing next to the sidewalk, not moving. Unease threads through me, but when we get closer, I recognize the straight posture, petite but curvy form, and dark brown hair of my friend.

“Wren? What are you doing? Are you okay?”

She doesn’t answer, simply holds out a small bundle of flowers to me. Only when I take them does she smile, and it’s possibly the biggest one I’ve ever seen from her. I blink in surprise. “What’s going on?”

Wren just grins and gives me a nod to look down at the flowers. Then she takes a step back so we can continue walking.

I look down to see a notecard tied to the bundle of stems.

These native wildflowers are a symbol of freedom.

Aster for devotion. Liatris for joy. Western Sunflower for hope. Verbena for enchantment.

I take in the cluster of yellow, purple, and blue wildflowers in my hand, then look over at Aury in question. He pinches his lips shut, but squeezes my other hand and tugs me forward.

“Okayyyyyy,” I mutter, allowing him to pull me back into a walk. We turn the corner, and there’s another figure standing in the same position Wren was. I dart a look at Aury from the corner of my eye, but he gives nothing away, strolling along as casual as can be.

When we get closer, I can see it’s Claire. She has a soft smile on her face and is also holding a small bundle of flowers. She passes them to me as soon as I’m close enough, then steps back, not saying a word.

I stop walking and stare at her, then look at Aury. Neither of them speak, so I don’t either. I roll my lips between my teeth to stop myself from launching at one of them and demanding answers. Claire flicks her gaze down to the flowers, then looks back up at me, and I remember the tag on the last one.

When I spin them around, this one has a note, too.

These flowers are a symbol of the gift you are to the world.

Large Dandelion for granted wishes. Nasturtium for a small but fierce warrior. Ranunculus for magical beings.