Page 50 of The Omega's Savior

I walk a numb Olivia out to the car. When I open the door for her, she turns around before getting into the car and throws herself into my arms.

CHAPTER 17

OLIVIA

It feels like my life is being torn apart right in front of me and the only way for me to save it is for me to throw myself into a fucking fire.

I was never the girl to want a bondmate. I saw what losing my dad did to my mom. It brought out the absolute worst in her.

Technically, one of the next steps in Jax and my relationship would have been bonding. We would’ve been together longer, agreed to spend the rest of our lives together, and bonded with each other. It just would’ve made sense to leave our bond marks on each other’s necks, tieing us together for life.

But even then, I didn’t even think I could even be with an alpha until I met Jax.

At the very least, I thought choosing to bond with him would’ve been my choice. But now I’m not even sure if that’s the case anymore.

It feels like something I’m being pressured to do. Something my horrible egg-doner of a mother is forcing me to do. She’s taken so fucking much away from me and now she’s taking this?

I’m a ball of swirling thoughts as Jax wraps his arms around me, holding me tight. If it weren’t for him holding me right now, I’d be falling apart.

“We don’t have to do it, you know,” He whispers, resting his chin on my head.

“You heard him though, bonding is the best chance we have of getting full custody of Summer without a hassle,” I say, the burn of tears building behind my eyes, even though my eyes are closed.

“That doesn’t mean we have to do it, love. If you don’t want to right now, then we don’t have to do it. We’ll make it work.”

“I don’t know if I can take that risk,” I say, pulling back to look up into his eyes. “What if we lose? What if my mom gets partial custody and Summer’s stuck with her? I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I knew I could’ve done something to make sure she was safe.”

“Listen to me, love,” he says, brushing away my tears. “What do you want?” He asks. “That’s the most important thing here. Summer wouldn’t want you to make a decision that would kill you inside.”

“I don’t know,” I sob. “I don’t know what I want.” I bury my head in his shirt again, clutching the front of it in my fists. “There’s a part of me that wants you. The part of me that knows deep down you’re my fated mate and wants all that means. I want to be yours and for you to be mine and for us to build a life together but—” My voice cracks as my throat tightens. “I’m so scared. I’m so, so, so scared that bonding with you will turn me into my mom somehow.”

“Oh Liv,” He whispers, stroking my hair down my back. “Listen to me. Nothing you ever fucking do in life could turn you into your momma. You are who you are and she is who she is and just like how she’s never fucking changed, there’s nothing you can do to end up like she is. You wanna know why?”

“Why?” I whisper against his chest.

“Because you fucking care about the people around you. Even right now, you care about what happens to Summer. You’re not trying to figure out what ways you can use other people to get what you want.”

“But I am,” I say. “I am. I’m using you.”

“Love,” he murmurs. “You’re not using me. I want you. Forever. For as long as you’ll have me. I promised to protect you. I want to do whatever I can to do that.” He kisses the top of my head. “Whatever you end up choosing, make sure you choose it for yourself. How about you take some time to think about it?”

“Okay,” I whisper.

“How about we drop off some of Summer’s stuff at Allison’s house? We’ll get her address and drop off Summer’s books and some of the clothes you picked up from the apartment, how does that sound?”

“Yeah,” I say, nodding and taking a deep breath. I need to focus on something to do. Something to keep me from drowning in my own thoughts. “Let’s go.”

We hop into the car and I shoot Summer a text from my new phone.

Hey sis, Jax and I are going to come over to drop off some of your stuff

We have some clothes from the apartment and your books, is there anything else you need?

are you taking requests? :)

Sure, what’re you thinking?

could you get some gummy worms?

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