Page 65 of Sweethearts and Savages
He nodded, but pulled me close again. “I hate trusting the process,” he grumbled, making me laugh.
I rested my head against his shoulder. “I know, big brother. I know.”
That night,I lay in between the warmth of Stacey and Bohdie. Stacey had her head pillowed on my chest, and Bohdie had his legs twined in mine, his body pressed as close as possible.
It was calm and peaceful, until Bohdie broke the silence. “I think we should form a mate bond.”
I stiffened, my eyes finding his golden ones in the dark. “Why?”
He eased away, propping himself up on his elbow so he could see my face. “I think forming another bond will ease the strain of the one you have with Kell. Like it’ll give your soul something to latch onto.”
Stacey sat up too, her eyes narrowed as she thought. “Theoretically, it should work.”
I was shaking my head. “No. You shouldn’t be forced into mating with me out of desperation. That’s not how mate bonds should work, Bohdie.”
He sat up completely now, dragging me with him. “Enit Baxter, if you think I’m being forced into this, you are extremely mistaken. I knew I wanted you for a mate from the very first moment I saw you. We’re just speeding along the timeline a little.” He paused, his brow knitting. “Unless you aren’t sure?”
Was I sure? It was hard to remember who I was before all this, but I knew I felt the same way as Bohdie. That instant connection that was the Alpha and Omega sides of our natures connecting, and then falling madly in love with Bohdie, the person. If none of this had happened, and he’d asked me to be his mate in a year or two, would I have said yes?
Absolutely.
“No, I’m sure about wanting the bond with you too.”
The smile that lit up his face healed something inside me already. “Then let’s do it, right now. We can have a big party when all this is over and you’re feeling better, but let’s cement our Pack—our Pride—right now.”
I looked at Stacey, who was watching us intently. “I don’t want to bond with you right now,” she said softly, and something inside me cracked. “No, don’t look like that. You and Bohdie definitely should bond, because the link between Alpha and Omega should be strong enough to slow your deterioration. I am mad at myself for not thinking of it sooner.” She paused, leaning her head to the left to kiss my chest, just below the hollow of my throat. “But I want one of your bondings not to be a life or death thing. I want you to have what Carmen had today. Something joyous and a celebration of our Pack. Do you understand?” There was a note of pleading in her voice and I kissed her softly.
“I understand completely. Thank you for thinking of our future. I love you.”
She kissed me in return, pouring her love right back into me, shoring up all the cracks that seemed to have left me broken and exposed.
I drew back and looked over at Bohdie. “Let’s do it.”
33
Bohdie
My heart was pounding in my ears. “Really?”
Enit nodded again, and that was all I needed. I wasn’t going to wait another second. I dropped to my knees beside the bed, bowing my head low. Vance, the bear Alpha of the Cold River Sleuth, had drummed these words into every single Alpha kid he met. I didn’t know if it was because he had an Omega mate, or because he was just a touch old-school, but I couldn’t have been more thankful in that moment.
“Omega, I pledge my teeth, my claws, my honor and my pride to your protection. You will be cherished by my Pride, respected by my side and the balance of my Alpha.” I tilted my head to the left, baring my throat in a sign of submission. It was obvious by her too wide eyes that she’d never heard of this ritual, which made sense. She hadn’t even started her Omega Studies yet.
Instinctively, she knelt on the floor in front of me, taking hold of my chin and dragging me forward until she could lay her teeth on my throat. A killing blow, and a sign of submission often reserved for an Alpha. By submitting to an Omega, I was telling her that we were equals. She pulled away without breaking skin, and I kissed her cheeks, her chin, her lips.
“Enit Baxter. I love you. I am honored to be your mate, and I will show you every day until we both join the Moon Goddess.”
“I can’t wait to be your mate too, Bohdie. Please.”
I couldn’t deny her anything. I kissed her hard, and then I realized that Stacey had her phone out, snapping pictures. I raised an eyebrow. “For the memories,” she said, matter-of-factly.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude for this human who had taken us from being just mates, to being a Pride. “Thanks, Stace. Love you too, you know.”
She gave me the bright smile, the one you didn’t see too often, but which filled you with happiness when you did. “Love you too, Alpha. Not going to kiss you though. Gross.”
Enit laughed, leaning back to kiss her. “I’ll kiss her for you by proxy,” she said sweetly, brushing her lips across Stacey’s. When she curled back up into my arms, my eyes snagged on hers and I was helpless to move away.
“You’re going to want to put the phone away now, Doc, or we’ll be making a home movie of a different kind.”
