"How about getting her to talk when she can't? Would you use force or use manipulation to make her speak to you?"
"No, Kade. We would never do that."
"Right. And why not?"
Frowning, I really think about it. We had these conversations frequently in the beginning of our relationship when we were learning about our omega. Many times we were scared andworried about her, but whatever prompted us to talk about how to help her always faded when she would tell us about her upbringing.
"Vivian doesn't need anyone tofixher. She's perfectly imperfect the way she is. Just like everyone else in the whole world, she needs support and people to love her. Her parents forced her into doctors’ appointments, pills, therapists, diets, workout regimens, and never once told her they loved her."
"Exactly," Kade agrees with a stern nod. "I'm not saying that Riot would do any of those horrid fucking things, but he'll need to figure out how we operate. Fast. I won't have him spouting that damn shit in front of Vivian. And I sure as shit refuse to hear him tear into you the way he did today."
Breaking eye contact and looking at my woman, I think about the alpha in the other room. His pain faded when he realized Vivian wasn't with him. "He cares for her."
Kade grunts. "That he does. Nobody in their right mind would accuse bonded alphas of neglect while sitting injured in a hospital bed if he didn't."
"He's coming home with us," I murmur, already accepting the fact that Riot is ours. I'm just curious what Kade will think.
"Why do you think that?" He sounds more curious than defensive, so I take it as a green light to lay it out there.
Without taking my eyes off Vivie, I recount their devotion to one another. "They dragged each other out of that hellhole with a trail of blood behind them. One could have left the other. Vivian screamed and begged for Riot repeatedly when we first found them. With a gunshot wound and a fucked up eyeball, Riot was ready to fight me to get to her. Malnourished, dehydrated, injured, exhausted, and traumatized, both of them only thought about each other when they woke up."
Kade huffs out a breath and leans forward with his elbows on his knees. "Our omega will have whatever she wants. If that'shim, I'll hogtie him to keep him from running and demand he see reason."
"WHERE'S MY OMEGA?! VIVIAN!" Riot shouts from next door but quickly quiets. A text quickly comes in from Silas letting us know the new guy woke up a bit confused again, and they're fine.
"I don't think it will take that much convincing," I murmur and close my eyes.
Then the softest, most amazing sound in the whole world whimpers. My omega's awake. "Riot?"
Yep. He's coming home with us.
Five
Vivian
The first thing I feel when I wake up is the pack bond. It feels complete and whole, like we're not being stretched too thin anymore. Relief keeps the pain at bay for a long moment, and it's like I can finally breathe again.
Just knowing my mates are close gives me so much comfort. It also makes me realize with horrific clarity how unhinged I was while we were apart. I was held captive and did everything in my power to cause myself harm. Anger and fire were my driving force, but now, surrounded by love and healing, I don't recognize the woman I was in that cage.
Eyes closed, awake for a few minutes, and I'm already feeling bogged down by the choices I made. They're going to be so angry when they find out how I behaved.
On the other hand, I feel like I did everything I should have. I wouldn't change a thing because there's no way I would give myself and my submission to an unknown alpha on a fucked up power trip.
Hopefully Kade, Silas, and Jarek won't be upset about my actions and choose to be happy I'm alive and safe. But I know them. There's a lesson they will want to spank into my poor ass for how reckless I was with my life.
Riot has already threatened to spank me, and he's not even my bonded alpha.RIOT!
"Riot?" My throat feels like it's working overtime to just get the simple name out, but I force it. I have to see him and know he's okay. Opening my eyes, I wince at the bright lights and dryness of the air.
Before I squeeze them shut again, Jarek's there, leaning down so we're inches apart. "Shh, Butterfly. It's alright. Kade and I are here." He reads the panic and confusion on my face, then quickly adds, "Silas is with Riot in the room next door. Everyone's okay and resting. I'll get Silas."
Worry claws up my throat when Jarek pulls back. I risk hurting myself as I reach out to keep him with me. "No," I whisper and pull on him again. Gosh, I could climb into his skin and not be close enough. "Need you."
My hindbrain fully rises to the surface as I acknowledge that I need help. Jay's lavender scent weighs me down gently, and his tether hugs around my torso, cocooning me in his love and support.
"I'm here, Vivie," he whispers, and bends down to nuzzle his face into my neck. His scent marking and proximity make me even sleepier.
Then Kade's whiskey scent wakes me up. When the gentle caress of my pack alpha soothes my anxious thoughts, I blink my bleary eyes back open.
