My clit pulses and I grin. As much as I want to tease him and build our physical connection, I need reassurance and answers more. I tap a finger on his lips and use my other hand to mime talking.
"You want me to say something?" I nod. "About what?"
I press a hand over his heart.
A shuddering sigh falls from his mouth. The eyepatch doesn't take away from the despair entering his gaze. His damp black hair hanging over it makes him look even sadder too. His sharp jawline and muscly bare chest are a physical representation of how strong he is, though. Mentally.
"I grew up in a group home, and unfortunately that's the easiest part to say," he shares, taking comfort in running his fingers through my hair that reaches his stomach. "My parents were murdered by a group similar to the one that kidnapped you."
A gasp is yanked from my trembling body, and my hands reach for his face. I need to hold him, to comfort him in any way I can. "Alpha..."
His breath hitches. Smiling sadly, he presses a kiss on the inside of my palm that cradles the uninjured side of his face. "All I cared about was surviving. I was an angry kid with no one to love me. Vivian, I'm not used tothis. I know nothing about pack life or falling in love with someone let alone multiple people. It was never my plan."
My confusion must be obvious because he immediately jumps to explain. "When I was young, I wrote off having a family. I was bullied, so I learned how to fight and defend myself. I took on the role of protecting the younger kids too. My life has been a constant battle, and I never allowed myself timeto hope for anything more than protecting the vulnerable from monsters like the ones who stole my life from me."
This man…he's sacrificed his potential happiness to save people who were in danger. "Riot," I whimper and shift so our bodies mold together. Ignoring his hard cock is difficult, but the awe and pride I have for the alpha beneath me is stronger than my desire.
His eye ping pongs between mine like he's trying to figure out what I'm thinking. "Please don't pity me, Firefly. I've lived how I chose to. I'm just trying to tell you why I've been closed off and blind to what's right in front of me. I never thought I'd find you..."
"But you did," I say, needing to know if he'll acknowledge me. Acceptus.
He nods and licks his lips. "I'm not perfect, Vivian. I'll make mistakes, but I'm yours if you'll have me."
It's no wonder he hid himself away in the basement when we first got home. Riot isn't used to being surrounded by people who want him around. This is new for him, and being on the other side of reassuring a mate that they're wanted is new for me too.
"Please stay," I whisper and wrap my arms around his neck. I'll never be able to force him to stay, but I'll beg. We may argue and push each other's buttons, but I think we've both come to realize we are far more than what can be seen on the outside.
Riot hums and nods. "I'm staying." He pulls me closer with a hand on my jaw. "Can I kiss you?"
I'm nodding before he even finishes his sentence. A spark of something in the bond distracts me for a moment as his lips touch mine. Fire licks up my spine, urging my back to arch and press my tits against his bare chest. There's barely anything between us, and as much as I love feeling his cock twitch against my pussy, we can't rush this.
After everything we've been through together and before that, we owe it to ourselves to savor the feeling of finding love in each other. The pull back is mutual, and it makes me smile.We're on the same page.
The flare of surprise in his gaze surprises me. "Did you feel that?" he whispers in awe. I shrug because I don't know. I feel a lot of things in the bond and I've been open to it for a long time. "Firefly, I think I felt you. I knew when to pull back because I held your emotion like it was mine."
He has a lot to get used to. Instead of warning him it will get stronger once we complete our bond, I nuzzle my cheek against his jaw and purr with appreciation for scent marking him.
The low drone of the TV settles us together, but I can feel his tether hugging and vibrating around my arm like he's testing it out.He's trying.
Nineteen
Kade
We need answers. I should have done this a fucking week ago when it became more apparent that Vivian was struggling.
Locking myself in the office to do some research is the only thing I can think to do. No way will I risk her by taking her to a doctor right now, not when we just got word that the leader of the group who kidnapped my woman is still out there.
Trent's on it alongside the correct authorities, but it's still not safe. I was a bit suspicious when Riot asked me for Trent's phone number, but that faded when Riot gave me the update from Trent. He's looking out for us.
We're essentially in lockdown, which isn't any different from how we've lived for the past few years. Except for the fact that Vivie is struggling beyond my knowledge and that sheshouldn'tleave.
I've contemplated virtual sessions with a therapist for her, but she wouldn't go for it. I can't stomach the idea of forcing her either. At least not until I have an idea of what's going on.
Inputting the behaviors I've noticed, I start my list of possible diagnoses that might pertain to my omega. As I dig deeper, I'm able to cross some out that don't fit what's going on with her.
I'm mainly concerned about her food intake. One moment she'll be hungry and the next it's like that hunger cue never existed. She can shrug it off, but I can't. My woman is losing weight, and she's not sleeping. Every single fucking night I wake to find her gone. And every time I find her with Riot.
Last night I wasn't as worried as I had been. Seeing them snuggled together on the couch in what looked like a nest gave me hope that having Riot accept their bond would make things better. I was wrong.
