Page 89 of Examining the Bond

I pull away to look up at her, and her lips are instantly on mine, her tongue sweeping into my mouth. I whine against her, my tongue hungrily tangling with hers as she cups the back of my neck and buries her fingers in my hair.

It’s everything I’ve needed since I woke up the morning after my rut, all rolled into one intense, toe-curling moment of passion. Her scent, her taste, her touch…

It’s like I’ve been starved and she's the only one who can sate the desperate ache.

When she finally pulls back, she draws in a deep breath, her chest swelling as her thumb strokes my neck. The emotions on her face, coupled with her overpowering scent, sweep me away into the kind of love only mates know.

“I’m sorry for showing up unannounced,” she starts, her voice cracking as her hand moves to cup my cheek. “I'd apologize for dragging you away from the mixer, but there’s no way I was letting those fucking meatheads waste one more second of your life.”

The small growl that rumbles at the base of her throat says more than her words, and a thrill runs through me. I've been trying to work up the courage to message her, but I didn’t knowhow to even begin. After the way I treated her, after what I said, she deserves so much more than a text or a phone call.

Now, as I stare up at her, my mind has gone blank, and all I can see is my alpha.

My alpha.

“You came for me,” I say breathlessly, my heart threatening to shatter at the words.

The corner of her mouth hitches as she bends to take my lips. A moan falls from me, my fingers digging hard into her waist.

“Of course I did, preciosa.”

I suck in a breath, looking up at her with shining eyes. My knees are weak, and a lump forms in my throat. “B-but why? Why would you still come after everything?”

“You're not getting rid of me that easily.”

“I’m so sorry,” I croak, my eyes welling with tears. “Sorry's not even good enough. The things I said to you were fucking terrible, Skylar.” One of her arms slips around my waist, pulling me to her and holding me there. “I can't believe you even want to talk to me after that.”

I missed my chance to apologize before I left Boston, but I’m not making that mistake again. Her soft smile has retreated, and I'm standing with the woman who bared herself to me while I lashed out at her.

“You didn’t deserve any of it,” I go on. “It's not just that; I don't even deserve to see you here after all the shit I said.”

The tears sting, but I don't bother to wipe them away. I don't want her to think for one second that I've been out here happily searching for other alphas.

“I feel like I've been dying inside without you,” I whisper to her, the words nearly choking me. “And I was too afraid to text, worried that you'd tell me to fuck off. Or worse, that it would just hurt you more…”

Skylar presses a finger against my lips to hush me.

“I didn't come here for an apology,” she says, her voice low. She drops her hand, her arms wrapping around me again and dragging me closer.

“Then why?” The corners of my eyes burn with more tears. “Why would you come all this way for me? Why don't you hate me?”

“I came because I need you, Riann. More than I've ever needed anyone before.” Her voice is thick with longing as her dark eyes lock with mine, swallowing me with their intensity. “When you left, it was like half my heart was ripped out of my chest. Do you know how hard it is to function with half a heart?”

My breath hitches. I do know, because it’s been almost unbearable without her.

“I thought I was doing the right thing by denying you my mark.” The way her voice cracks has my heart splintering. “But I realize I was just being a fucking idiot.”

I blink too hard, and a tear slips down my cheek. She promptly leans in and kisses it away, but another one falls right behind it.

“No, you weren’t.” I shake my head, gripping onto her hips to keep my hands from shaking. “You were looking out for both of us, but I was too desperate to listen. I was just so excited to finally have an answer, a little ray of hope after my entire world nearly fell apart, that I wanted the easy way out. I wanted it all to go away.”

“I know.” She bends to press her mouth against mine as more tears slide down my cheeks. “I understand…”

“How can you? How can you understand when I was such a cruel bitch?” I try to wiggle out of her arms, but she keeps one wrapped firmly around my waist, refusing to let go.

“That wasn’t you, Riann.” Her tone is soft and stern. “I saw what happened to you, the way your alpha instincts took over. You smelled different; you acted different. I know you were outof control, but it still stung to hear how you felt—whether it was the truth or not.” She heaves a sigh. “I don't want you to feel like I can't give you what you need, because you're everythingIneed.”

A sob racks my chest. The truth, the understanding in her words when it’s the last thing I deserve, has my emotions in a chokehold.