Page 69 of Examining the Bond

Beating around the bush obviously isn’t going to work here.

If I want to crash through that wall and get to the bottom of things, to find out why she’s so passive about letting me fly backhome, I have to be more direct. I have to say what’s on my mind, the burning question I haven’t been able to get off my mind since I found out I’m a delta.

I want her bite.

I want her to claim me, to mark me as hers.

I’ve known it since the instant she told me about the designation switch that I wanted it to be her. There will never be anyone else for me.

Even if something fucks up and my designation doesn’t change, whether I become an omega or not, I want to behers.

My breaths deepen as I try to get a hold of my feelings. I’m getting worked up for no reason, and every time I unclench my fists, my thoughts begin to cloud up again. Like the bite of my fingernails is the only thing keeping me from going insane, which sounds…insane.

“What's wrong, preciosa?”

“I—”

To be honest, I’m not sure what’s wrong, but something is definitely off.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that are clawing up my throat, but another urge slams into me, hard enough to knock the air from my lungs. My gaze snaps to hers as that force dominates me, turning my vision red for a moment. Raw, feral power rolls through my body, gripping me like a vice before fading again.

I gasp a sharp breath, trying to stay calm.

I feel like I’m losing my mind.

“It can be that simple,” I choke out, trying to focus on Skylar. “People do it all the time. Alphas meet their omegas and claim them almost instantly…”

I trail off as my thoughts go fuzzy, and I dig my nails into my palms until I can’t take it anymore.

I won't let this beat me.

I can stay in control.

Anger rolls in my chest, and while I can admit it feels a little misplaced—like my instincts are taking over and twisting my feelings from hurt to rage—I can’t tamp them down.

Dread slams into me like a cold wave as I recognize the feeling.

The anger that whispers of violence, lacing my veins like a drug, is familiar because I’ve felt it before.

It’s the same energy that took me over last month, right before my rut.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

RIANN

Oh shit.

That’s all I can think as my heart plummets.

I take a shaky breath, fear lacing my more lucid thoughts.

This is just another painful reminder of why I need her to claim me. I’ve mostly displayed omega characteristics since I perfumed, but the alpha traits I possess are clearly becoming more intense.

What happens if they completely take me over?

If her mark is the only way I’m going to sort out these crazy spells that I want no part of, I need it.And I need it soon.

“This is real life, preciosa, not some fairytale,” she says, twisting the knife that’s already in my chest. “I do want you, more than anything, but we have lives to consider.” Her hand comes up to cup my cheek. “We can’t just rush into things.”