Page 33 of Knot My Wonderland, Part Two (Fairytale Omegaverse #2)

I melted into his embrace, feeling the silver bond between us pulse with warmth and certainty.

Through our connection, I sensed his complete acceptance—not just of me, but of the complexity of what we were building together.

Unlike the vision of Seth, Chi was solid and real, his heartbeat steady against my ear.

"I'm scared," I admitted quietly, my hands fisting in his shirt. "Not of any of you individually, but of what it all means. Five mates, healing Wonderland, facing the Queen and possibly the other monarchs... what if I'm not enough?"

Chi's tail tightened around me, his voice firm. "Then we'll be enough, together. That’s what mates are for, Alice. No one person carries everything alone." His words resonated through our bond, silver light pulsing between us with renewed strength.

I looked up at him, finding his teal eyes watching me with an intensity that made my breath catch. Unlike Heart's open passion or Seth's contained power, Chi's affection had always been quieter, expressed through protection and steady presence rather than grand gestures.

"When did you know?" I asked, curious about when he'd realized the bonds were leading toward something deeper than magical partnership.

Chi's ear twitched, his tail loosening slightly around my waist as he considered the question. "I suspected from the first touch and our magic responded between us," he admitted, one hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from my face.

“That long?” I was genuinely surprised at how long he had suspected this was happening.

Chi nodded, his eyes softening as he traced a gentle pattern on my cheek.

"The silver bond formed too easily, too naturally.

It's rare for me to connect so deeply with anyone, let alone a dreamer.

" His tail tightened slightly around my waist. "But I didn't know for certain until I saw you after the Queen took you—when you were separated from us… from me. ”

"What happened then?" I asked, leaning into his touch.

"I felt your emotions as if it were my own," he said quietly.

"Not just through our bond, but in my soul.

That's when I knew this was more than a magical connection.

The mate bond had already begun forming without either of us realizing it.

I am pretty sure it started forming the moment I kissed you. "

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The silver bond between us pulsed with comfortable warmth, carrying emotions too complex for simple words.

"The others feel it too," Chi continued, his fingers threading through my hair.

"Heart's been fighting his protective instincts for weeks, trying not to overwhelm you.

The Tweedles... well, they've known since before you did, I suspect. Time magic gives them certain advantages in recognizing destiny.”

I tilted my head to look at him. "And Seth?"

Chi's expression grew thoughtful. "Seth has been circling like a predator, but not the dangerous kind.

More like... a guardian waiting for the right moment to claim what's his.

" His tail flicked with what might have been amusement.

"The Void Court is patient…and being the King…

lets say they don't give up what they consider theirs. "

"So I'm 'his' now?" I asked, though there was no real irritation in my voice—just curiosity about the dynamics I was still learning to navigate.

"We're all 'yours' as much as you're 'ours,'" Chi corrected gently, his tail tightening protectively around my waist. "That's what the mate bonds truly mean—mutual belonging, not possession."

I considered his words, feeling the silver bond between us pulse with reassurance. The concept of belonging to someone had always made me uncomfortable, but this felt different—like finding home rather than being owned.

"I need to talk to Seth when we return," I said, my voice steadier than I expected. "The Void bond... it needs to be completed if we're going to face the Queen."

Chi nodded, his teal eyes warming with approval. "He'll be waiting. Though I suspect he already knows your decision."

"Does that bother you?" I asked, studying his face for any sign of jealousy or resentment. "Sharing me with four others. I know packs are something that happens, but the packs I know, there’s still jealousy or it’s a mating out of necessity with no feelings behind it.”

Chi's tail twitched thoughtfully as he considered my question.

"Wonderland doesn't work like your world, Alice.

The courts have always understood that balance requires multiple connections.

" His hand moved to cup my cheek, his expression softening.

"Besides, each bond is unique. What I share with you isn't diminished by what you share with Heart or the others. "

Through our silver bond, I felt the truth of his words—not just acceptance but genuine contentment with the arrangement. There was no jealousy, only a quiet certainty that his place in my life was secure regardless of my other connections.

"It's different for you," I murmured. "You've had centuries to understand these kinds of relationships. I'm still trying to wrap my head around having one mate, let alone five."

Chi's laugh was soft, his tail curling more snugly around me.

"And yet you're adapting remarkably well.” We sat in silence for a heartbeat.

"We have time," Chi said, his voice a gentle rumble against my ear.

"The pocket gives us that luxury, at least. You don't need to understand everything at once. "

I nodded, grateful for his patience. The silver bond between us pulsed with quiet affection, carrying reassurance without pressure. Unlike the overwhelming intensity of my communion with the pattern, Chi's presence felt like a cool oasis—steady and refreshing.

"We should return to the others," I said reluctantly, not wanting to leave this peaceful moment but knowing that training needed to continue. "The Queen isn't waiting while I sort through my feelings."

Chi's tail unwound from my waist, though he kept one arm around my waist as we stood. "We have been here nine days in all….so we have twelve more days in the pocket," he reminded me. "Time enough for both training and... personal discoveries. "

The subtle emphasis he placed on those last words sent a pleasant shiver through me. Through our bond, I felt his quiet amusement at my reaction, mixed with deeper currents of affection and desire that made my cheeks warm.

"Personal discoveries," I repeated, glancing up at him with a raised eyebrow. "Is that what we're calling it?"

Chi's ears twitched with barely contained laughter. "Among other things." His tail brushed against my wrist as we began walking back toward the meadow. "The mate bonds aren't just about magic and destiny, Alice. There's... physical compatibility to consider as well."

My face burned hotter, but the pattern beneath my skin pulsed with curious interest rather than embarrassment.

The ancient consciousness seemed remarkably pragmatic about such matters, showing me brief flashes of the First Queen's relationships—not explicit, but warm and intimate in ways that suggested deep physical connection alongside the magical bonds.

"One thing at a time," I said firmly, though my voice wavered slightly as Chi's tail traced lazy patterns against my wrist. "First I need to master the creation techniques from the temporal mirror, then complete the Void bond, then worry about... other aspects."

Chi's teal eyes gleamed with mischief. "The pattern might have different priorities than you do," he observed, his voice carrying undertones that made the silver bond between us thrum with anticipation. "Ancient magic tends to be rather direct about ensuring its vessels are... thoroughly bonded."

I stumbled slightly at his implication, the pattern beneath my skin flaring with what felt suspiciously like agreement.

Through our connection, I caught glimpses of the First Queen again—not just working magic with her five mates, but moments of intimacy that bound them together in ways beyond the purely mystical.

"The pattern is showing you things again," Chi noted with satisfaction, as I felt his hand on my waist tighten.

"Yes," I admitted, clearing my throat. "Apparently it has opinions about... everything."

Chi's laugh was low and warm. "The pattern is older than Wonderland itself. It understands that magical bonds are strengthened through physical connection."

We reached the edge of the crystal forest, the silver meadow visible through the trees ahead. I could see Heart pacing near the temporal archway while the Tweedles adjusted something on their devices. They hadn't noticed our return yet, giving me a moment to gather my thoughts.

"Chi," I said, stopping just before we emerged from the trees. "Thank you for coming to find me."

His teal eyes softened as he turned to face me fully. "I felt your uncertainty through our bond. Some burdens shouldn't be carried alone."

I reached up impulsively, pulling him down to press my lips to his.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, but Chi responded immediately, his tail wrapping around my waist as he deepened the connection.

The silver bond between us flared brilliantly, sending waves of warmth through my entire body as our magic synchronized in perfect harmony.

When we broke apart, both breathing heavily, I found Chi staring at me with an intensity that made my heart race. His pupils were dilated, teal eyes blazing with something primal that matched the fierce protectiveness I'd always sensed beneath his calm exterior.

"Alice," he whispered, my name carrying reverence and desire in equal measure.

"I'm choosing," I said softly, watching silver light dance beneath both our skins where we touched. "Not just the bonds or the destiny or what the pattern wants. I'm choosing you. All of you."

Chi's tail tightened around my waist, pulling me closer as his forehead rested against mine. Through our bond, I felt a wave of emotion so powerful it nearly took my breath away—joy, relief, and something deeper that words couldn't fully capture.

"I've waited centuries to hear those words," he murmured, his voice rough with feeling. "Not just from anyone, but from someone who truly understands what they mean."

The silver light beneath his skin pulsed in rhythm with mine, creating patterns that spoke of connection beyond mere magic. The pattern responded to our shared emotion, silver and gold threads weaving more tightly into the fabric of our bond.

"We should join the others," I said reluctantly, though I made no move to step away from his embrace.

Chi nodded, but before releasing me, he pressed another quick kiss to my lips. "This conversation isn't finished," he promised. I laughed knowing it wasn’t but I was looking forward to that… conversation in the future. By the way Chi was looking at me it was going to be a fun one indeed.