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Her lips curl into a small smile, a mixture of resignation and hope. “You think that’s possible?”
I contemplate her question for a moment, feeling a strange vulnerability settling in my chest. “I do,” I say finally, my voice quieter than before. “In fact, I think it’s possible that the unexpected can be the most meaningful.”
The silence stretches between us for a beat, charged with an unspoken connection. It’s then that she shifts, her movements drawing my attention back to her. She pushes herself to her feet, her steps bringing her closer to where I sit. I’m not sure if she is going to throw my words back into my face and disappear into the room or crawl into my lap where I want her.
“I think I might stay a little longer,” she confesses, her gaze meeting mine head-on. “If that’s alright.”
A sense of warmth unfurls in my chest, a surprising emotion considering my usual disposition. “It’s more than alright,” I reply, my tone steady. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Her smile deepens, and for the first time, I glimpse the unguarded woman behind the hard and bratty exterior. It’s a small step, a spark in the vast darkness within, but it holds the promise of something more.
As she settles back into her seat, I permit myself a moment to simply observe her. We’re two individuals brought together by chance and circumstance, each carrying our own burdens and secrets. Yet, in this quiet moment, there’s an understanding that transcends words—a silent agreement to navigate the uncertainties ahead, together.
We are more than two heads of Mafia’s, neither of us seem to really want. We are Austin and Audrey, fated mates. And I’m never letting her go.
CHAPTER40
Audrey
The weightof our conversation hangs in the air as I settle back into my seat, my fingers absently tracing the soft fabric of the throw pillow in my lap. There’s something about the way Austin looked at me, his eyes holding a mix of understanding and vulnerability, that leaves a trace of warmth lingering within me.
I steal a glance in his direction, finding him lost in his thoughts, his tumbler of bourbon held loosely in his hand. It’s strange, really, how the situation has shifted. From avoiding him to now willingly engaging in a conversation that goes beyond the surface. I can’t help but wonder what has changed.
Lost in my musings, I almost jump when a soft voice penetrates the quiet. “Feeling any better?”
Startled, I turn to find Austin watching me, his gaze filled with a quiet concern that I hadn’t quite expected. A small smile tugs at the corner of my lips, and I nod in response.
“Yeah, I think so,” I admit, my voice softer than before. “Thanks for listening.”
He offers a nod in return, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Of course. It’s not easy, all of this.”
I let out the breath I have been holding. It’s a relief, really, to have someone understand the inner turmoil I’ve been grappling with since stepping into this tangled web of alliances and expectations. “No, it’s not.”
We lapse into a comfortable silence, and I find myself oddly content in his presence. The tension that had been hanging between us earlier seems to have dissipated, replaced by a shared understanding that transcends our roles and backgrounds. It’s a rare moment of connection, and I can’t help but cherish it.
The view from the window catches my attention. The darkness outside illuminated by the distant city lights. For a moment, I let myself become lost in the beauty of it all, allowing the weight of my responsibilities to temporarily fade into the background.
As I turn my gaze back to Austin, he’s watching me with an intensity that sends a flutter of something unidentifiable through my chest. I catch the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips, and I’m struck by the realization that there might be more to him than meets the eye.
“You know,” he begins, his tone almost contemplative, “sometimes life brings the right people into our lives at the right moment.”
His words resonate deeply within me, a reflection of the thoughts I’ve been grappling with since our conversation. The unexpected, the uncertain—it’s all a part of this journey I’ve embarked on, whether or not I wanted it.
“Yeah,” I reply softly, my voice carrying a hint of hope. “I think I’m starting to believe that.”
As the silence stretches between us once more, there’s a sense of possibility that lingers in the air. One my inner omega rejoices in, her instincts sensing that this connection, however unexpected, might hold the promise of something more. And the part of me that has always wished for her happily ever after feels a flicker of hope.
Of course, a couple of sincere conversations don’t make it a sure thing, but it is the first real glimmer of hope I’ve had since before Jason betrayed me and destroyed my entire life. It’s like stepping out of the shadows and into the unknown, a territory I’ve been avoiding for so long. But with each word Austin speaks, with every unspoken understanding that passes between us, I wonder if maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance for a different life.
The pack life I’ve avoided, the commitment and the bonds it entails, suddenly doesn’t seem so daunting. With the three of them—Austin, Dean, and Felix—maybe I can have something real. A connection that’s not built on obligations and politics, but on genuine understanding and shared experiences.
The thing about living in darkness for so long is that now that there is a sliver of light shining in, I’m not sure what it is. If it is an illusion, a fleeting mirage meant to deceive me once again, or if I can trust it to guide me toward a fresh path. But in this moment, as I sit here with Austin, one man I am inexplicably drawn to, I’m willing to take a chance. To step into that sliver of light and see where it leads, even if the road ahead is uncertain.
I set the throw pillow beside me and rise to my feet. Clutching the water bottle in my hand and meeting Austin’s unwavering gaze, I offer a gentle smile. Then, I utter, “I’m going to catch some sleep.”
Austin’s eyes hold a gentle gleam as he offers me a tender smile. “Sleep tight, Audrey,” he says, his voice a velvety murmur. “And if you need anything in the middle of the night, don’t hesitate to wake me up. I’ll be just a room away.” His words carry a subtle hint of playfulness that makes my cheeks flush, and I nod in response, unable to suppress the small smile tugging at my lips.
The moment I step back into the bedroom, I slump against the door, my hand pressed over my racing heart. Austin’s words, along with Saint’s earlier ones, replay in my mind like a melody, and I can’t deny the truth any longer—I’m falling for them, hard. It’s as if they’ve walked right out of TV showOmega in Paradise, and I’m the omega they’ve come to claim.
