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VINCENT

I wouldn't change my life.

I really, truly wouldn't.

But this pain, it's debilitating and I can't figure out if it's mine or my omega's.

Would I change her life?

I don't know the answer to that. Would I have ever found Amaya if she didn't suffer at the hands of the academy? We may be fated mates, but were our paths always destined to cross? Are fate and destiny the same? Would I still be bonded to my golden girl if it weren't for the lives we've lived?

I don't have the answers, but I sure as fuck would change everything about the last two weeks. Maybe in a few years, once we've all dealt with the trauma of these horrible days, I can say— Nope. I can't even fucking think it. Nothing, no part of this, will ever be okay. I had my mate, and now she's gone. It's up to me to get her back and all I can do is pace around her kitchen island and grumble about the complexities of the bond.

"Hey, man."

My head snaps up so fast my nails scratch my scalp. "Fuck, Lucas. You gotta help me. Please," I plead with the alpha walking toward me with his hands up in surrender already.

"I know. I'm going to help, but you need to center yourself first." He's talking to me like a wounded animal and, honestly, I might as well be. "Okay, I know that sounded stupid as shit, but the only way you're going to feel the tug to her location is if you calm yourself first so all your focus is on her."

"My focus is always on Amaya!" I snarl, my hackles rising.

Lucas shoots a frustrated look over his shoulder before shaking his shoulders out with a sigh. "Okay, alright," he mumbles like he's giving himself a pep talk. "I know not to say this, especially to a woman, but I need you to calm down, Vincent. My alpha sees your behavior as a challenge right now, and I'm already on edge with the threat looming over my omega. Cut me some slack, or I have no choice but to leave before shit gets ugly."

My eyes must be bugging out of my head. The fuck is he talking about? This escalated really fast.

"Vincent." Oliver's voice helps my shoulders relax and my attention turns to him as he enters the kitchen. His fingers wrap around my belt buckle and I swear to fuck my breath catches in my throat. "Listen to him. He's only here to help."

Slowly, I come to my senses and nod, shaking out the defensive fog clouding my sensibilities. "Right." I inhale, letting his subtle, fresh scent center me like a beta is meant to do for an alpha. Leaning forward, I brush the scruff on my cheek against his, scent marking him and whispering in his ear, "Thank you, Oli."

Now it's his turn for the air to stutter in his throat as my lips brush against his earlobe. The sense of control brings my frazzled, wayward thoughts and nerves to heel. "Good boy, taking care of your alpha," I add in a husky whisper, letting my canines scrape his neck as I pull back. "Now, go see if your other alpha wants to help," I direct Oliver, knowing he needs to keep busy.

Green swallows the pinpricks of his irises, need and awe shining bright. Fuck, I can't wait to explore this . I've never been with a man, but there's something about Oliver and Emmett that makes me want to watch them ravish each other while I tell them what to do.

Oli nods and bounds up the stairs to find Emmett. I turn back to Lucas and apologize. "Want anything to drink?"

He shakes his head. "Nah, I'll get something once we have you zoned out. You ready?"

It's hesitant, but I nod. Fear of failure is the only thing holding me back right now, but Amaya's terror is my first priority. I can deal with my insecurities later once I have my omega tucked in my arms.

"Couch?" Lucas nods to the living room just as Emmett and Oliver come downstairs.

"Alright," I choke out, already feeling my own emotions receding and Amaya's taking front and center. It fucking hurts . "I-I need to sit."

I rub absently at my chest as I make my way to the living room and I notice Emmett clenching his fists too. Making eye contact with my partially bonded alpha, I jerk my chin to the spot on the couch next to me.

He settles in, his thigh pressed to mine. Leaning forward with his arms braced on his knees, he stares Lucas down. "How can I help?"

"You're half bonded, yes? Just need to bite Vince back to complete?" Lucas inquires.

I nod. Before he can suggest we complete the bond, I interrupt. "We won't be taking the next step until we have Amaya home, safe, and in between us."

Oliver sucks in a breath where he sits on the floor a few feet in front of us. "Fuck," he mutters, cheeks tinging pink.

I wink, but a full body shudder rolls through me. Fear like no other slams into the bond, forcing my rage to blaze in my chest. "Fuck!" I roar as I slam my hands on my knees. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

"What?!" Oliver recoils and panics.

I don't have words though. I'm trying not to alarm my sweet omega when it's clear she's dealing with too much right now. Emmett answers for me, his face pale and a little green.

"Something's happening. The small bit I can feel from Amaya… it's a sickening amount of... fuck, she's just so scared," he finally chokes out.

The awful feeling fizzles out a little until it sucker punches me in the chest once again. "Fuck. I can't—" I stutter, unable to control the alpha rising and snarling with no way to help his mate.

'Alpha?'

A cool sensation tickles the back of my neck, making my eyes shutter closed and my head droop forward. Gentle fingers run the length of my spine, and my head turns fuzzy against the soothing feel.

Gold enters the murky darkness behind my eyelids as I sink into the bond where my mate is reaching for me. It's not Amaya comforting the burning rage in my soul, though; it's her omega.

I crumple to the ground, my omega following me and pressing her chilly cheek into my back where her soft fingers still pet me. Her whimpers break me, so I snatch her frail body around and tuck her into the crook of my neck.

For my omega, I release my own thoughts and feelings and allow myself to truly melt into her. While I weep, I track.

Where are you Amaya?