What we are is a pack. For better or for worse. In sickness and in health. In my opinion, our differences are qualities that make us unique and show how perfect we are together.
I don't give a shit what my woman is diagnosed with because we love all of her. I'm sure if I went to a psychiatrist they'd suggest some kind of mental health disorder for me too, but she'd love me anyway.
The right people glance at the title and read the book. The title is just a hint. A real partner feels curiosity and motivation to learn more.Why, how, when, where?
Which is why when Riot wanders out on the back patio, I smile. He's been asking all the right questions. We might not answer them all because many of them are Vivie's stories to tell, but he's asking all the right things that clue me into his feelings for my omega.
As Riot gets closer and eventually stops a few feet away, standing above me and Vivian, I notice he looks incredibly unsure. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to show him he's more than welcome in this home.
"Hey, man. Sorry, I can go up front and give you guys some space," Riot offers, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Vivie pulls her hands out of the dirt with a startled gasp. Alarm flitters through the bond, but it's quickly soothed when she sees Riot.
"Sorry," Riot murmurs, and crouches down. "I didn't mean to scare you, Firefly. I was just coming out for some fresh air, but can leave you two alone if you'd like."
From her profile, I see her blink up at him with her big blue eyes. I nibble on the inside of my lip when her perfume blooms brighter than the yellow flowers she just dug a hole for. Clearing my throat after a few moments of them being lost in each other’s eyes, I stifle a laugh when my princess jumps again.
Riot swallows and slaps his hands on his thighs. "Right, I'll just?—"
"Stay," Vivie whispers, grabbing his knee with her muddy grip. "P-please."
I already know what he's about to do, so I have my response ready when he looks at me for permission. "You listen to Vivian. We trust her judgment, and she knows what she wants. If she asks you to stay, then you don't need my permission."
Riot nods, holding eye contact with me. "Noted." He stands and steps back toward one of the Adirondack chairs I brought over. "I'll sit if that’s alright with you. I'm a bit sore and tired."
A wave of exhaustion almost pulls me down, but I quickly separate myself from Vivian's feelings in the bond. Her shoulders hunch and her hands go limp in her lap.
"Me too," she mutters.
Did Riot just remind her that she was tired or something? What the hell was that? It was like him saying he was tired brought on a tidal wave of sleepiness for Vivie too.
"Come here, princess." I get my feet under me and scoop her into my arms. It takes some maneuvering, but I get us settled in the chair beside Riot. "Okay, you just rest."
The words are barely out of my mouth before she's tucking her face into my neck and snoring softly. Running my fingers through her hair, I hum and rock back and forth as I would fora small child. I can't purr, but I'll do everything in my power to make sure she has a good nap.
"Here," Riot murmurs, setting my water bottle on his armrest closest to me so I can reach without it being in my way. He grabbed the bowl of grapes when I wasn't looking as well.
Adjusting, I wince when the bone in my ass holds too much weight on the solid wood of the chair. Once I'm settled, I look over at Riot and smile. "Thank you."
We're silent for a while, and eventually he tips his head back. His black eyepatch he's upgraded to makes him look dangerous even in the soft sunlight.
I stay vigilant, hoping Vivie doesn't have nightmares or anything while she naps.
When I can't take it anymore, I break the silence because I have so many questions for this man. "Fresh air, huh?"
As if I reminded him why he said he was out here, he inhales the fresh spring air. "Caught the lie did you?"
Smirking, I study his strong jawline and the way his throat dips and curves over his Adam’s apple. "I notice everything in this house. Especially when the new mate is bullshitting because he doesn't know how to express his feelings."
A low rumble from his chest makes my pulse race for a new reason. He glowers at me and says, "I feel like if Vivian would talk more, you two would say very similar shit."
I bark out a laugh and quickly snap my mouth shut when my girl whimpers. "Shh," I coo and palm the back of her head.
To Riot, I chuckle quietly and admit, "You're not wrong. We're blunt when we want to be, and we're also a fucking hoot. So why did you really come out here?"
His jaw clenches and his good eye flits down to the flowers at our feet. "I couldn't stand it anymore. Being away from her," he admits softly, but he almost sounds pained. As if it's hard for him to say something like that.
That's something we have in common. "I get it. Being away from her makes my heart literally stop beating. We are all madly in love with each other, but she's the soul of us. We orbit around her."
