Page 56 of Ondine: Vol. 2

Jake and his pack are talking to each other. He explains, “She saw the nest and knew he had made it. She wanted to find him.”

I pull my face back. “They hired you to make my nest?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer me.

He strokes my hair and looks lovingly at me. I get to enjoy that space for a little bit. Arnie is here. He’s here at the Meier house.

Finally he says, “No, they didn’t hire me, honey.”

“Oh, what do you mean? Why are you here?”

He looks up at Jake. “You haven’t told her?”

“Told me what?”

Arnie looks down at me and smiles sadly. He takes my hand and brings it up and behind his neck. He places my fingers on his hairline and I feel the marred skin.

“What is this?”

“It’s a bonding mark, honey.”

A jolt of surprise goes through me.

“You bonded with the Meier Pack?”

He grimaces. “Jake kidnapped me, and I wasn’t left with a lot of options.”

I spin to face Jake with all my ire. “What did you do?!”

“I win. That’s what I do.”

“Win what!?” I don’t know why I’m yelling.

“You!” He yells back, and I feel Sebastian crowd in close, putting himself between Jake and me.

I understand he doesn’t like me yelling, but every emotion feels like it’s on the surface.

“You kidnapped and bonded Arnie to win me?!” I’m screeching.

“I wasn’t going to let you leave me, Ondine! You were mine the day I found you on that train. Mine! You’ve had my heart since the day you let me bend you over my desk while the sun was shining, and fuck you! And you’ve had my soul since I made you scream while I licked your cunt in the hotel!”

It’s not the most romantic confession but I still can’t help feeling so warm and delighted at hearing it. And that I’ve brought this man to this level doesn’t hurt. I almost want to push him further.

“And what if I only want Arnie? What would you do then?”

Sebastian is more obviously now trying to separate us. He puts his hands up and walks toward Jake. Our emotions are too high.

“You think I’m bothered that you want some well-hung beta? You think he could satisfy you? You’d come collecting that orgasm I owe you the very first opportunity you’d have, don’t lie to me!”

The audacity of this man! “Screw you!”

“Gladly, Ondine! Don’t hold on to him like you weren’t just calling me daddy not ten minutes ago!”

Sebastian cuts off my reply, “You guys stop! Yelling on a lawn is completely unhinged. The neighbors can all hear you!”

Jake bares his teeth at Sebastian. His sharp alpha teeth that drew blood on my Arnie.

I turn back to Arnie. His arms still around me.