m

ne had marked me, since our worlds had collided

I had seen or

with a mate bond, the betrayal it represented to Reed, and the weight of everything else all at onc

ldn't let me

d our souls. Through it, I should have been able to sense his emotions, feel his heartbeat echoing alongside mine, and even hear his voice in my mi

med the door on hi

the base of my neck. It reassured me that he was alive, that he was well-but tha

d even asked one of the older Omegas at the shelter about it once, back when I was still curious and naive about m

elt like a knife tw

be grateful for one thin

unish me for his infidelity, setting my body ablaze with searing fire. I had seen it happen once at the shelter-a young Omega writhing and screaming a

y still h

most impossible for that to happen. Omegas were naturally submissive, biologically programmed to

onding, they could fool around with anyone without consequence. It

reason being an Omeg

over the mark. The ache in my chest wouldn't go away, no matter

much to

s absence, the bond kept me tethered to him. I hated how m

couldn't de

sleep. I tossed and turned, drenched in sweat, my body trembling with a heat I cou

. Our Alpha. His touch. His kn

wanted him to scent me, to calm the storm raging inside me. I wanted to drown

him when I didn't eve

hing hit the back of my head. A crumple

o. It was one of my usual bullies, probably gri

yself. Just six weeks until graduation. I could endure a little

rned with unease, but I ignored it, grabbing my bag and heading toward the cafeteria. It was just anot

e greasy, cloying aroma of cafeteria fries and overly seasoned pasta was overwh

it to the ba

my stomach. The acid burned my throat, tears stinging my eyes as the heaving finally

wrong

ace, rinsing my mouth to wash away the bitter taste. My hands gripped the edge of

allow gasps. I closed my eyes, trying to center m

en it

per

ng across my face. My period was

iper. I clenched the edge of the sink tighter, my min

n't used

ldn't even afford my suppressants ha

d, my voice barely audible, trembling as

in rut mated with an Omega in heat, the chances of preg

the betrayal, by the bond, by the constant guilt ove

of my mind,

r voice soft and triumphant.

my palms against my temples. "Th

aced with irritation. This is a

ground. My hands shook as I grabbed a paper to

yself. Just a random bout of na

gered, heavy and suffocating, weighi

though it felt like I was moving in a fog. The nausea f

sually did. I bolted out of the building, keeping my head

e rows of shelves too narrow. My hands were clammy as I picked up a

oided eye contact, mumbling something about fo

a growing sense of dread, the possibility clawing at my mind and refusing to le

t the instructions with trembling hands. Each second felt like

lly time, I star

ink l

gna

sank to the floor, the test slipping from my fingers. My hand instincti

e's

ate'

er joy radiating through me. This is a blessing,

I felt like my entire world

o myself as the weight of it all threatened to suffocate me. How was I supp

upposed to