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We both worked to help Bastion as Lyric spoke quickly and quietly, so no wandering ears could hear him. “I’m sorry I had to do that, but I doubted that guard would have given you a second alone otherwise.”
Bastion watched Lyric with fascination but stayed silent. “We just wanted to check on you. We’re worried about you. Orion has been trying to meet you since he found out you existed, and your alpha has been making it hard. This seemed like the only way we’d be able to speak to you privately.”
“I-I don’t understand. Why are you checking on me?”
Lyric snorted as Arden came back with a suit. Bastion stiffened again, but the alpha noticed right away. As soon as he handed it to us, he backed up all the way to the other side of the room and turned around, giving us as much privacy as possible.
“Everyone knows Alpha Tennyson is an asshole. It’s no secret. If he’s harming you, Orion wants to help if he can. We want to help.”
Bastion’s eyes narrowed. “He’s my husband though. My alpha guardian. He has the right to discipline me as he chooses. Just like your husband does,” he said pointedly, likely referring to Arden’s spanking comment.
I helped Bastion get changed while Lyric spoke. “We definitely don’t have time to explain the difference, but I promise you Orion does not harm me. I love everything we do, even punishments, and I always feel safe. I know I don’t know you, but I’m pretty sure you can’t say the same.”
Bastion took a step back, and I could see his walls go up. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“Bastion—” Lyric started, but I stopped him with a shake of my head. It would take a lot more to get through to the omega right now, and we didn’t have time for that. We needed to be quick.
“Listen, I understand how confusing this is for you. Give me a second.” He turned toward one of the nightstands and pulled out a little notebook and pen and quickly wrote something down. He handed it to Bastion.
“Here, it’s my personal number. Mine. Not Orion’s. Not Arden’s. No alpha has access to this phone. Just me. If you ever need help, no matter the day or the time, call this number. I swear I’ll get help to you. I promise.”
Bastion was understandably hesitant, but he accepted the paper and shoved it deep into his sock. Then, it was time to leave before the alpha guard caused a scene. Arden led us back out, apologized to the guard one more time and promised reimbursement, and then ushered Lyric and I away from Bastion.
It hurt leaving him with the guard, especially when I saw him painfully squeeze his bicep and drag him away from us, but there wasn’t much more we could do right now. Bastion was right. Legally, Alpha Tennyson could do whatever he wanted to him, and if he was raised a certain way, he would think that was okay. Honestly, I thought so only a few months ago as well, and my upbringing was unusual. I could only just hope that Bastion would use that number before it was too late.
We made it to the cocktail hour just as everyone was heading to the formal dining area for the main course. Orion and Gideon intercepted us before we got too far. Arden took Orion off to the side for a hushed conversation, likely filling him in, while Gideon looked me over.
He smiled shyly. “Orion is going to make the announcement once the meal is served but before we eat. Are you still sure you want to do this?”
My gut tightened but I forced a smile at the kindest alpha I had ever met. “Yes, alpha. I’m sure.” I was even more sure after seeing Bastion. He would never be Emerson, but things could be so much worse, and my half-brother was proof of that. “I am looking forward to the announcement.”
Gideon’s smile was cheesy as he grinned down at me. “Well, we best get going then. It wouldn’t do for us not to be present for our own engagement announcement.”
I pushed down the sadness that threatened to overwhelm me whenever I thought too much about it. It wasn’t fair to Gideon. I wouldn’t let him see how much it was hurting me to do this. I might have to deal with this never-ending emptiness inside of me for the rest of my life, but I wouldn’t let it affect him. He deserved more than that from me. I’d give him everything I could. It would never be all of me. It would never be my love, at least not in a romantic sense, but I’d give all that was mine and do my best to make this work.
Straightening my shoulders, I walked with Gideon and followed my brother and his husband into the dining room.
CHAPTER17
Emerson
Twinkling Christmas lightslined the path, starting from the gate to enter Strongfire property and continuing along the entire length. I watched them in fascination as they twinkled in a synchronized pattern. According to my driver, he could turn the radio to a certain station and they would match up to the music somehow. I declined the offer, however. My nerves were already shot. Adding Christmas music to the mix would tip me over the edge.
For the 5000th time, I wished I just drove myself rather than hiring a driver to take me here. But, I’d surely have turned around by now and talked myself out of this. Still, if this all went horribly wrong, it would have been nice to have a way to make a quick exit. Then again, after everything I put Jett through, I deserved a long walk of shame and to wait for my driver if he rightfully denied me.
I’d spent A LOT of time since Orion dropped multiple bombs on me thinking and analyzing everything I’d ever done since Lennon, especially every moment I’d had with Jett. It only escalated after I read the letter.
It was funny because while I was with him, everything seemed a blur. I was running so much on instinct, it was hard to keep track. Yet, when I was alone at 3 am with a bottle of scotch in the complete darkness of my room, I remembered every single detail. Everything I said, that I did, that I felt just ran on repeat through my mind. I analyzed every one of Jett’s reactions, trying to determine anything from them.
The driver finally pulled up in front of the well-decorated house, and one of the guards who was doubling as staff today walked to the door and opened it for me. Even though I wasn’t planning on coming, I was kept up to date on the security for this event. Every member of the additional staff was completely vetted and well-trained in security. Orion didn’t mess around when it came to the safety of his family.
The guard recognized me but tilted his head in confusion, clearly not expecting me. “Alpha Winston? I apologize but I didn’t see you on the guest list.”
I got out of the car and tipped the driver. “That’s because I’m not. I didn’t believe I was coming. Is that a problem?” Not that I cared. I would have no issue fighting him and every other guard to get inside if I had to. Jett deserved everything I had to give.
“No, sir. I wasn’t instructed to keep you out.” The guard hesitated and shifted from foot to foot. “I will need to inform Mr. Strongfire though.”
Godsdammit. For a brief, wild moment, I considered punching this poor man and making a run for it, but I didn’t give in to the intrusive thought. I just tilted my head in agreement.
