Prologue
The Bond’s Musings
She doesn't know it yet, but she's capable of something beyond the limits of science. Nobody will be able to understand the ability of forming a mating bond of trust and trauma except for those who've done so.
Only a handful can grasp the concept of this safe space to begin with. The ability to sink into the loving swirls of colors and soul deep connections is one that few may acquire throughout their lives. Add in the idea of forming a subliminal tether? It's unheard of.
This omega, the one who created the subspace known to cherish and comfort her, has created something new. Something that has affected her mind and this new alpha without them realizing it. A Subliminal Bond. It occurred below the threshold of their consciousness, rooted in trauma and fear.
Without research or notable accounts of this happening to others, answers are hard to come by. What do the fully bonded mates do with questions left unanswered? How do they respond when they're unable to understand what is transpiring between their struggling omega and the new alpha? They don't realize it's burrowing into their souls individually too.
With each day that passes, the unintentional link between omega and new alpha strengthens and deepens. But what does that mean without a bite or love to unite them positively? How does this red, vibrating, angry tether between two traumatized individualsactuallyconnect them?
Be it negatively or neutrally, therewillbe changes. Some will be gradual, many will be like the crack of a whip.
Unfortunately, her pack mates are at a disadvantage without the ability to traverse into this unconscious space where their bonds thrive and blend. For once in their bonded life, they can't read their omega or care for her as they used to.
She's different now. Fundamentally changed.
Red grips her arm and guides her when her pack mates used to do that on the outside. They've neglected their emotional support duties, causing further distress and dysfunction.
A pack that isn't functioning with a severely traumatized omega...How might they manage?
One
Kade
"WHERE IS THE MOTHERFUCKING DOCTOR?!"
I refuse to accept that Vivian's eyelids know what's best for her. She needs to open her damn eyes and acknowledge that she's going to be okay when I tell her so. She has to be. My omega will be fuckingfine!
"Kade," Silas murmurs, grasping my shoulder and trying to, what? Pull me away from Vivian? Never going to fucking happen.
I shake him off, cling to Vivie's free hand, and force a purr to climb up my throat. My beta would tell me she needs comfort, not anger. I'd tell him to fuck off becauseobviously, but my hindbrain only knows rage and murder right now.
Everything about me is a battleground right now. Half wants to bust out the back of the van and hunt down every bastard on this property. The other half wants to scoop my little omega onto my lap and rock her so she knows I'm here. She has to know I'm here.
All she seemed to know when we carried her into the van was Riot. Well, then she spoke Jarek's name, telling me that she knew it was us. So why wasn't she excited or overcome with many emotions at seeingus?
"She claimed him," Jarek murmurs. Not once does he look away from her pale face as he highlights another reason I'm feeling like I could do some serious damage toanymale around my woman. "She claimed him..."
"I fucking know!" I snarl, holding her hand tighter as if I can ensure she's only ours forever. Even as my possessiveness flares and I want to kick the bleeding man out of the truck, I can't. I can't do that to my omega.
She claimed him which means he,Riot,is ours now too.
As if he hears my thoughts, Jarek explodes. Rushing around Vivian's cot, he rips his shirt off and presses it to the bleeding wound on the stranger's chest. Jay's head snaps up just before the back door swings open and the doctor jumps in.
"Over here now!" I bellow at the man who can't be much older than us. He doesn't say a damn word, but I recognize him from the brief information Trent provided earlier.
Without hesitation, the man drops his big ass duffel bag and begins assessing my omega. If he's frustrated by my random growls and dominance rolling off me in scary waves, he doesn't react.
With professional focus, he pulls the cloth away from her side and narrows his gaze as he gets closer. "Enough, Kade," he snaps, finally showing some form of emotion. "She has a gnarly slice in her side. Keep pressure there while I check her bleeding and prepare the cleaning supplies."
Silas comes to stand next to me, and I watch with frustration as he glances back at the other fucking alpha Jarek is currently trying to save. "He needs medical attention, too."
The doctor only briefly glances up, but it's enough to make me snarl. How dare he take one moment of focus off healing my omega?!
"Once Vivian is cleaned, medicated, and stitched up, I'll help the Alpha," he says, voice monotone.
