Page 65 of Rugged Hearts: Part One
“I don’t really know how else to say it. You really can’t ease into that statement.” Well someone probably can but I’m not wired that way.
He moves so he’s partially sitting up, now able to look down at me. “You can, like this—Thea, you’re the most beautiful omega, no person, inside and out. I love the way you butt heads with me, test me, how you are with the pack, every up and down with you I love, because I love you.”
Yep, that definitely is nicer than just blurting it out. My eyes are watering, I don’t want to cry. He leans down to kiss me but I stop him. “Wait, one more thing, I’m ready to bond with you during my heat, if that is something you’re also ready for.”
His face is so close to mine, I can see the tiny speckles of brown in his otherwise green eyes. “I just told you I love you, of course that’s something I’m ready for.”
“Well doesn’t hurt to be sure.”
“You” Kiss. “Drive” Kiss. “Me” Kiss. “Crazy” Kiss. “In the best way.” A deeper kiss that makes me feel like I’ll melt this ice beneath us with how hot I feel. I break away from the kiss abruptly.
“Sorry, I was feeling like a heat wave might be coming on. I don’t want to trigger it here.”
Realization dawns and he nods. “Of course, we should try to avoid triggering as many as we can between now and the heat.” His doctor hat is now firmly in place.
“I’m sorry.”
“I, of all people know how important this is. Don’t be sorry,your health is more important.” At this point I want to get my heat over with, so we don’t have to worry about it and I can be with the guys. A month ago I would’ve thought it impossible to feel that way; how quickly things change. We get up and this time there’s no more racing, instead we skate at my pace around the rink. At one point he grabs my hand and does a version of our kitchen dancing here on the ice. With him leading we go faster and it feels like flying. By the time we’re heading off the ice I feel like I’m floating.
We didn’t get home as late as I thought we would, but the house is pretty quiet. Liam heads off to his room after a good night kiss. I end up in the kitchen, picking at the plate Ben left for me before deciding to read a little before bed. Putting the plate away, I make my way to that little nook I found Jake in. It feels secluded even with the big window. There’s a soft plush blanket there now and my e-reader is tucked into it. I’ve been reading here a few nights a week. Getting comfortable, I look out the window, realizing it’s nearly totally black out with just the little bit of light catching on the small amount of snow dusting the ground nearest the window. I pull out my phone to text Keelan and Parker I’m going to read for a little bit in case they wonder where I am if they see Liam’s home.
Before I pull up our group chat I see a text from earlier tonight from an unknown number. My heart starts racing. No. It can’t be him. Not again, not here, not now. Opening it, I see two photos. The first is a grainy photo of me and Liam tonight at the rink. It’s from far away and up high, maybe a security camera. Has to be. There’s no way he was there. The second photo isn’t one I immediately recognize until I see my startled face in the background. I really did look like I was going to pass out. It’s from the night at the bowling alley, weeks ago. That teenager who took the photomust have posted it somewhere. He found it. That’s how he found me. His message is thankfully short:
UNKNOWN
My flower, I found you yet again. You looked stunning tonight. I’m tiring of our distance, the chase has been fun but it’s time we are together. See you soon my love. X
My heart feels like it’s going to beat out of my chest. I can’t run; I have a pack now. I’m bonded. Realization hits, I’m bonded—what will he do when he finds out? What if he already knows. He’ll take them from me like Connor. I can’t…can’t do that again. I can’t breathe. Can’t lose them. Black spots dot my vision and my ears start ringing. I can’t lose them, not again. Then it all goes dark.
The End, until Part 2.