Page 72 of Puck My Life

I crush his shirt in my fists, pulling myself closer. Unable to break free of him.

As suddenly as it began, it’s over, and Mal is glaring at me.

“You will not find an alpha who can kiss you like that, Vae. And if I wanted, you would give me everything I want. I’m giving you a choice, a chance. Choose me.”

“You are a packaged deal and-” I glance back at Raynor. “Maybe-”

“Don’t you dare imply that I would walk away from an offer from you!” Raynor says with quiet but steely determination.

“But-” My head is spinning. “Regardless, it’s all or none, and Deacon doesn’t see me that way.”

“Deacon just needs to pull his head out of his ass and recognize a good thing in front of him,” Raynor says darkly.

I shake my head. My lips still tingle. “I’m not discussing this anymore tonight. Let’s go watch a movie and go to bed, and we can talk tomorrow once we’ve all had some time to think.”

I leave the room, but I think I hear one last comment. I can’t be sure, so I don’t turn around.

“I don’t need time to think; I’ve had a lifetime.”

Vae

PAST

In a way, I’m relieved that they didn’t include me in their bonds because now they don’t know how I feel. They can’t feel the despair and hurt, the rejection that has saturated every cell in my body, leaving me wondering how I’m even still upright and walking around.

However, the relief that they didn’t bond a female into their pack has me almost giddy. It’s just the three of them. I don’t know why, but I’d assumed the worst. I’d prepared myself to have to leave, to run far away to save myself from the pain of seeing them with someone else.

Instead, I’m sitting here, hurting but sick with relief. Nothing has changed. They aren’t acting differently. They are still hugging me and touching me. Jokes are flung, and everything is exactly the same.

As the days pass, nothing changes.

Nothing at all.

Except every time I look at them, I see silver scars on their necks.

Bonds that bind them together for eternity.

And I don’t have one.

PRESENT

I walk around the shop and finger the fabric. The blanket is so cute and fluffy that it makes me ache. I blow out my cheeks and then pick it up, adding it to the shopping basket. I furtively look around, but no one is looking at me.

I see a pillow that I really need, but instead of grabbing it, I force myself to turn and walk away.

My chest aches, and I sniffle.

“Hun, just get the pillow.”

I turn and see an older omega. She’s got brown hair with grey streaks cut in an asymmetrical bob. She’s plump around the middle, but she looks like she smiles all the time.

She holds the pillow out to me, I look down at it and feel the ache lessen.

“Trust me; a little pampering will make you feel good. My name is Nancy Lane. Is this your first heat?”

I nod my head.

“Come and have coffee with me. Let an older omega give you some advice.”