Page 187 of Bound By Song

I fail.

“I didn’t think I’d ever have a life like this,” I whisper, halfway through a bite of the cod. “I didn’t think I’d ever have company. That I’d ever get out of the self-imposed, isolated rut I was in.”

Dane reaches across the table, his hand warm around mine.

“You did get out,” he says quietly. “You made it. You chose to survive, to be vulnerable and let us in. You chose to love.”

“And now you’re ours,” Blaise says, softer than I’ve ever heard him. “You don’t have to go back to being alone. Not ever.”

Xar pushes his chair closer, rests his head on my shoulder.

“We love you, Evie,” he says. “That’s not going to change.”

And I believe them. With everything in me.

“I love you too,” I whisper. “I really, really do.”

And I feel it – the bond swelling, blooming bright. Three hearts open wide, reaching for mine.

There’s no space between us anymore.

Only home.

EVIANA

My heart is beating so fast I’m afraid it’s going to bruise my ribs.

“This is ridiculous,” I murmur, voice tight as Xar crouches in front of me, fastening the tiny silver buckle on my heels. “It’s just an event.”

“It’s notjustanything,” Dane says from behind, his hands steady on my waist. “It’s your first time out with us. That matters.”

“It’s also your first time flying,” Blaise adds, shooting me a smirk from across the bedroom as he tugs on his boots. “You’re practically a debutante.”

“I’m a recluse in a velvet dress,” I grumble.

“Astunningrecluse,” Xar corrects, rising to his feet with a smile that’s all wolf and worship. “They won’t know what hit them.”

I exhale shakily and glance down at myself. The deep green velvet hugs every curve, soft as sin and heavier than it looks. I feel expensive. Like I belong somewhere far fancier than the crumbling farmhouse I call home. But that makes it worse, not better. I feel like I’m playing dress-up in someone else’s life.

What if they see through it?

What ifIsee through it?

Dane senses the spiral coming before I even speak. He wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. “You’re safe,” he murmurs, calm and sure. “We’ve got you.”

I nod, though my chest still flutters.

“Guest list only,” Xar says firmly. “No press. No fans. It’s just a private fundraiser with people we’ve worked with for years.”

“Besides,” Blaise drawls as he shrugs into his jacket, “if anyonebreatheswrong in your direction, I’ll break their nose.”

“That’snotcomforting,” I mutter – but my lips twitch despite myself. “Still feels like I’m doing something I shouldn’t.”

Dane leans in from the other side of the room, sliding a final ring onto his finger before grabbing his leather jacket. “That’s the trauma talking, baby. You should be nervous, but you’re safe with us. Always.”

“And you look fucking unreal,” Blaise adds with a grin, straightening up. “They’re gonna think we hired an omega model to boost our brand.”

“You did,” I tease weakly.

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