What? She did? How would they know? I’m the one connected to her, I actually know what she was thinking, even if they wish they did.
“That’s not what she wanted, she was upset about being mated to me. I’m the one who can feel her emotions through the bond!” I shout and I instantly feel bad because the guys all seem hurt by that. Some of their faces drop and some just look like they want to throttle me.
But it’s the truth, even if they’re jealous that her and I bonded first. Or maybe they’re hurt I threw it in their face. This emotion stuff is too much for me. I didn’t deserve to be mated to her first, it’s an honor, one I don’t deserve.
Kiran is downright murderous and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him live up to being a dark fae as much as right now. Usually, he’s mister happy go lucky but right now, if looks could kill, I’d be six feet under.
“You may have forgotten that Jax and I can literally feel emotions with our powers. So even if we don’t have thebond,” he emphasizes that line, letting me know what he thought of me throwing that in their faces, “we know what she’s feeling.”
Shit, he’s right. I’m an ass, and I go to say that when I’m cut off by Jax. Jax who must be really upset to be talking this way to any of us, when he’s usually the peace keeper of the group.
“And since we have had this link to people a lot longer than you have, you might like some of our knowledge in the area. Like for example, you can feel the emotion but not the thought behind it. Various thoughts can lead to the same emotion,” he finishes like I’m an idiot.
Before anyone else can jump in and berate me, I speak up, “I’m sorry, okay? I shouldn’t have said that but I know what I felt. What other thoughts could make her feel disappointment, hurt and sadness when hearing I’m her mate. Clearly, she doesn’t want me.” The way she was looking at me when she found out kills me.
They all stare at me like I’m the biggest idiot and I’m pretty over it. I might just punch one of them in the face, so this conversation can be over and I can go brood in peace. Be miserable in peace.
“Stop looking at me like I’m an idiot!” I shout.
“Then stop being an idiot,” Kiran throws back and this time I really do lunge for him.
Before I make contact with him, I’m swallowed in a cloud of darkness, holding me hostage. It feels like it’s slowly suffocating me, not enough to kill me, just enough to be painful. I know better than to attack Kiran when he’s surrounded by so many negative emotions, his strength must be overflowing.
And even without the extra juice, he’s incredibly powerful. He almost never uses that power, and especially not against any of us but I pushed him too far this time. Even if he was pushing me too.
Slowly, the darkness recedes, and light slowly trickles in along with more air. When it finally clears, I stand up. I didn’t realize I fell to the floor during that demonstration, until now.
Kiran doesn’t seem sorry and I can’t blame him, I lunged at him first. And he’s feeling pissed and protective of his mate.
“Enough,” Nic declares and we all deflate a little. I think he’s about to yell at Kiran for using his powers on me but of course, his anger is directed at me, “Jeremy you fucked up. I can tell you don’t get it so listen and listen carefully. Aly was upset because she thinks you don’t want her. That she’s mated to someone who regrets that decision. She doesn’t know what this fully means but she knows how you’ve treated her up until this point. It was written all over her face every time she looked at you. Fix it.”
He’s serious, and when I peer at the other guys, they’re all nodding their heads in agreement. They really believe that and a little hope fills my chest that she wants me too. But if that’s true, that means I hurt her once again and she’s sitting at home in pain because of me. And that just won’t do anymore. We are going to fix it and she’s not going to feel like this, because of me, ever again. I can feel how much pain she is in currently.
“I’m going to head over there and talk to her, right now,” I say, walking over to the door, about to head out.
“Make sure you explain the mating bond effects she will be feeling, it’s important she understands what’s happening,” Nic commands.
None of them stop me from leaving, they all seem happy about it. So I must be doing the right thing, for once.
Ready or not Aly, here I come.
Six
Aly
I’m power walking away from the guys house and back to my apartment with Anna. My mind is racing a mile a minute with everything the guys revealed but it always comes back to Jeremy most of all.
The further away I get, the more a twinge in my chest grows, urging me to go back to them. But I need some time to think and I won’t get any of that if I go back.
The cycle in my head tends to go: supernaturals exist, I might be one, mates exist, I have 5 mates and I’m already mated to Jeremy. Jeremy who doesn’t want me, who has never wanted me. I wonder if a mate bond can be broken? I’ll have to ask but I have a feeling if it could, Jeremy would have already made it happen or at least suggested it. Then the cycle begins again.
I’m finally back at the apartment and when I open the door, I feel immediate relief to see Anna is home, sitting on the couch in our living room.
Bailey was already at the front door, pacing and agitated. Like he knew what state I was coming home in. He hops up onto my chest and gives me a lick before nuzzling me. I take comfort from him and give a few pets but right now, I need to talk this out with someone who can talk back.
Anna takes one look at me and hops up immediately.
“What’s wrong? Who do I need to hurt?” She asks, already having my back before I explain anything.
