Page 91 of His Bonded Omega Mate
It was the wrong thing to say as he stiffened. “Unlikely.”
I steeled myself for the conversation we clearly needed to have, but Larken switched to the other foot and a groan escaped me at how good it felt. There was nothing sexual in it for me. This was strictly a pack mate helping a pregnant omega.
“Why couldn’t you have an omega?” I finally broached the subject.
Larken fixed me with a look and moved to put my feet on the table. It asked, “are we really doing this?” I peered right back at him, placing my feet in his lap so he couldn’t move away easily. “You know why. I have feelings for someone else.”
He was defiant as we sat there, staring at each other.
“I know you love Roan,” I finally began. It seemed as if he wanted to cut me off. “No, hear me out. I’m glad that you love Roan.”
“What? Why?” His face was a picture of shock.
“Roan has had so few people in his life that have loved him. His only family right now is his ex and Kade’s parents. Roan’s own dad can’t make him a priority, even with the babies due soon.”
“But I don’t just love him. I’minlove with him,“ he stressed, looking frustrated now.
“I know. I’m in love with him too. Tate tried to be in love with Roan, but for whatever reason, he couldn’t see what we see.”
“And what do we see?”
“Roan’s pure heart. He’s the best person I know.” My heart lifted at the thought of my mate. A man so dedicated to his family’s happiness, he was risking his safety to fix things for us all to be together.
“So that’s why it’s okay that you’re in love with him, because while he might not be in love with you, he loves you, Lark.” Our eyes met. I saw the pain in his heart. The longing that he’d kept at bay so well that Roan hadn’t suspected a thing. “You’re important to him. He trusts you. That’s why he’s had you here living with us. He knows you need him right now, so he’s sharing his new family with you.”
Larken muffled a sob against his hand. I twisted and opened my arms, motioning him to come over for a hug. He came into my arms and cried against my shoulder as I held him. “Why couldn’t he have been an omega?” he lamented against me.
“You wouldn’t have been able to love him the same if he was. Your being an alpha would have kept you apart. Same if you were the omega instead.”
“Stop making sense,” he huffed as his tears slowed.
“If I’ve learned anything over the last year, I would say it is that The Luna has plans for us all.” I squeezed him before letting him go.
Carl interrupted our conversation by coming into the den carrying a tray with Micah and Tate behind him. “It’s come to my attention that I’ve been taking advantage of your kindness and may have caused offense.” He brandished the tray. “So, I’ve come with a peace offering.”
The scent of hot cocoa drifted over me. “Oh! That’s lovely of you, Carl.”
He looked embarrassed. “Micah helped.”
Micah smiled. “He burned the milk for the first batch. Don’t worry, the pot is soaking.”
“Here,” Carl handed me a mug before serving the others and sitting down away from the rest of us with his own.
I sipped cautiously, taking a longer drink when it tasted fine. It was pretty good, actually. Not as good as when Asher made it, but as peace offerings went, it wasn’t bad.
We were quiet as we all drank, all except Carl. “Is yours okay, Carl?” I asked with a frown.
“It’s fine. I just don’t like cocoa all that much.”
What kind of monster didn’t like hot cocoa? It just cemented the idea that I would never be friends with Carl. He was a half decent guard I guess, and as apologies went, this had been almost decent. I shrugged in response and continued drinking.
Moments later, I felt a heaviness in my limbs. It crawled outwards from my middle, making my limbs leaden and fear spark through my bond with Tate.
Across the room my eyes met Carl’s, his grin triumphant as one by one, we dropped our mugs to the plush carpet, the liquid staining the light gray fabric.
I flicked a look over at Tate as I tried to call him over the bond. He looked terrified as he slumped into an already sleeping Micah. When did that happen?
“No!” The word burst free from Larken as he staggered to his feet. He made it a couple of steps before he stumbled and landed sprawled out on the coffee table, completely unconscious.
