Page 119 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“It might take a bit… longer than usual. There’s a… little complication at the moment.”

Kai frowns, looking me over. “What can we do?”

“Nothing.”

“Well, it needs to be faster.” Axel’s harsh tone is annoyed, but I let it slide, knowing it comes from a place of worry.

“Can’t exactly… hurry it up… Dick.”

My sassy comment brings a sparkle to his eyes. Just as he’s about to reply, Kai interrupts us, turning the moment serious.

He turns to the frowning basilisk. “Rion?”

Rion stays silent, his unwavering gaze set on me.

Kai pushes again, a bite to his tone this time. “You must have something?”

Rion narrows his gaze on Kai. “I might.”

“What the hell are you waiting for then, fucking tell us?” Luka shouts out, losing his calm and collected temperament for something more volatile.

Rion cuts him a sharp look, but like Kai, lets it slide. “Complete the bond.”

The guys all freeze, putting an end to the silent rage building around us. Their distressed looks make my heart drop as they try to avoid my gaze.

Forcing a bonding was never something I’d demand of them. Having to form the partial bond still made the air around me thick with guilt.

“We can’t…” Luka gives me a devastated look.

It’s okay. I want to tell him. I understand. Them caring for me was enough. At least that’s what my mind tells me. My heart, though, was aching in pain.

“It’s the only way. Mates are known to… share abilities. We should be able to help her speed up the process.”

Jax’s eyes are wide, giving Rion a look of disbelief. “Should? So you’re not positive?”

“Right now, it’s all we’ve got.”

“We are NOT taking that choice away from her.” Jax’s outrage turns broken and sad as he rubs my hand.

“Not after everything. We should have…” He sighs not finishing what he was about to say.

“She should get a choice,” Luka agrees.

“You’re all fucking crazy! We need to get the hell out of here and she’s in no state to be moved.” Axel gives everyone a murderous look. “If there’s even a slight chance that we can help her, then we should do it.”

Shadows swirl around Luka as his wolf threatens to break free. “It needs to be her choice. I’m not forcing this bond on her.”

“Fine.” Axel comes into view, his harsh features softening as he finds my gaze.

“Hey, princess. I know you probably hate us all and the idea of bonding with any of us isn’t on the top of your to do list right now. But I need you to be okay. I need you to send me one of those sassy smiles or to put me in my place when I’m being a prick. I’ve missed you. So much that I became a stubborn fuck who pushed everyone away when all I really wanted was the girl I fell in love with when we were kids.”

Axel gazes down at me, no longer hiding behind his harsh words and glares. He lays it all out, his face revealing every emotion as he tells me how he feels.

“I’m a selfish bastard and the thought of having you by my side forever sounds fucking perfect. I know we fucked up. Big time. But let me—”

Someone clears their throat loudly from behind, making Axel roll his eyes.

“Letus,make it up to you.”

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