Page 83 of Examining the Bond

I’ve made such a terrible mistake, the biggest mistake of my life, by letting Riann go. I’ve tried my damndest to get over it and move on, but there’s no point in trying anymore. I can’t move on, and I don’t want to.

If there’s a way to fix all of this, I have to try. Even if it’s just to apologize. I’ll never forgive myself if I give up now.

I close my eyes again, a fresh wave of tears falling, focusing on my mate’s face that’s tattooed on the backs of my eyelids.

I just hope I’m not too late.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

RIANN

“You smell incredible, preciosa,” Skylar’s voice rumbles in my ear, and I whip around to stare up at her. She’s wearing a black suit with a black button-up, gloss making her lips look extra kissable. I take a deep breath, trying to breathe in her delicious smoky pine scent, but I can’t smell her.

She must be on suppressants.Bummer.

“You better get dressed,” she urges, her eyes falling to look at my outfit. “We’re going to be late.”

My eyes follow her line of sight, and my heart sinks. I’m wearing pajamas, and not even the cute kind. Fluffy bottoms with a stained T-shirt. Embarrassed heat claws up my neck as I look up to face her again.

She steps closer, her hand coming up to caress my face, and I nearly melt.

“Late?” I ask, nuzzling into her fingers. “For what?”

“The rest of our lives?—”

An urgent knock shatters the image, along with my heart, and my eyes fly open. I’m buried beneath a mountain of blankets, trying and failing to cling to the image of Skylar on the backs of my eyelids. The corners of my eyes burn as the reality of her absence sets in, but I blink the tears away.

I can’t break down, not today. I have an alpha mixer to get ready for, and I can’t risk fucking it up. This is my last chance to find a match, to find an alpha to bond me, or I can kiss the Woodside Omega Academy goodbye forever.

Another round of knocking derails my train of thought, and I kick the pile of blankets off me, reluctantly crawling out of bed.

“I’m coming,” I groan, dragging my feet across the carpet to rip open the door.

Ziel is standing there, bright-eyed with a wide grin plastered on his face. In one hand he holds a garment bag over his shoulder, the hanger hooked on two of his fingers. With the other, he holds a carrier with two styrofoam cups. The smell of rich coffee hits my nostrils before his sweet almonds.

“I figured you were still asleep when you didn’t answer your phone. I’m always right,” he chuckles. “I brought caffeine and my outfit so I can get dressed here.”

I rub the sleep from my eyes and blink, my groggy mind slowly clearing. “Z, how did you knock with your hands full?”

“With my dick. Now, excuse me…” He saunters past me into my nest, and I bump the door closed behind him.

He makes himself at home, setting the drink carrier down on the desk and draping his garment bag over his beanbag chair. Then he peels off his jacket and drops it to the floor.

“You know we only have a couple of hours until the mixer, right?” He cocks a curious brow in my direction. I haven’t moved from my spot by the door.

“Yeah, I know.” How could I not with so much riding on it?

But it doesn’t matter how important tonight is, or that my enrollment at the academy hangs in the balance, I can’t be excited about it. Not when it means I have to put Skylar in the past. How can I stay in love with an alpha while I bear the mark of another?

“Riann,” Ziel says, his voice tender. “Are you okay?”

I force my eyes to his and attempt a smile that sags instead. I shrug my shoulders. “Do I have a choice?”

He sighs deeply and walks back over, holding his arms out for a hug. I hesitate—I’ve never been a very touchy person—but the offer is too good to pass up. I wrap my arms around him, welcoming the dramatic squeeze he gives me, trying not to breathe in too deeply or his baked almond scent will burn my nose.

“I know you’re disappointed, babe,” he says softly. “But it’s going to be okay. Some alpha is going to come along tonight and sweep you off your feet, I guarantee it.” He pulls back and grips my shoulders, leveling me with a sincere look. “I promise.”

A single tear slips down my cheek, and I furiously wipe it away. “Maybe you’re right,” I say, more for his benefit than my own. “But I wish you’d brought something a little stronger than coffee.”