THE FALTERED BOND

Chapter 22 | Blue fire

AVA R.

-*-

I stare at the contents of my bowl, lost in the turmoil of my mind. Confused would be an understatement for how I felt.

Earlier events loop at the back of my mind, churning my heart and stomach. I am certain I imagined it- no, convinced I had somehow fabricated the matter. Even still, deep down, this unexplainable knot took root in my chest and bloomed into my stomach.

A silent whimper slips through my wolf's throat, pulling my attention towards her. Focusing onto our bond, I recognize the same feeling from her chest as it feeds into my own. This feeling- whatever it is- leaves me with a gnawing pit in my gut. Truth is,

Ryder's words echo in my chest, the intensity of his stare burning at the back of my skull. Did you just order me? Omega? The venom that laced his tone sends a shiver down my spine. He would've hurt me. He wanted to hurt all because I dared to give him an order. If it weren't for Jace- would anyone else have stopped what was about to occur?

Had he known about my position with Jace, would he have reacted differently?

"Hey.'' My gaze snaps up and I meet Cade's familiar blue gaze.

I smile. ''Hi.

- May I?'' He gestures to a spot beside me. I nod, scooting aside to give him space to sit. As he takes place, he digs his spoon into the steaming bowl of soup and gobs down a huge bite. He turns and says through a mouthful, ''Thish ish amashing Ava!''

I break into a soft chuckle. ''Ew, say it, don't spray it!'' My laugh dies down as we fall silent, only broken by the occasional scrape of our spoons against the wooden bowls.

Amidst the silence, my heart heart pounding like a war drum in my ears, I allow the question to slip through my lips, ''I'm just an Omega to them, aren't I?''

That must surprise him, because his whole body stills. He turns saucer-wide eyes to me and asks hesitantly, ''What do you mean...?''

The question makes me angrier than it should. ''Cade, I'm not a kid. We both saw and heard what Ryder said, not to mention how-'' I pause as my eyes suddenly sting with tears. ''They just watched.'' The word stabs into me with such violence, I can barely contain my tears.

I'm a fool. Such a naïve, hopeless fool. How could I be so stupid to believe I may have a chance to earn their respect? To be seen as something other than the Omega?

The thoughts fill me with dread, and the pain must show on my face because Cade quickly pulls me into a warm embrace. Seconds pass, silent as my head buries into the crook of his chest. Before long, a rogue tear slides down my burning cheek.

''I'm so stupid---

- You are not stupid, Ava.'' He murmurs, his tone sharp but fatherly. ''You're just a kid.

- I'm Jace's mate, Cade. Whether I like it or not, Selene has chosen me, an Omega, to be Luna of the Weston pack. I'm not cut out for that kind of responsibility." I pause and fight back the urge to sob. "Ryder isn't the only one who sees me as nothing more than a play thing...

A silent rumble shakes Cade's chest as he snarls, ''That bastard has no respect for anyone but himself. He's a coward who hides behind his goons and picks on others to feel superior. He's a bully." Ice shoots into my veins from the sheer venom of his tone, hinting at a past I wasn't aware of. Seconds pass and he calms down, pulling away to lock eyes with mine. "You are so much more than your title alone, Ava. Being an Omega shouldn't hold you back from what you can do."

I can't help but scoff at his words. "Easy for you to say. You're the Beta. Everyone must respect you."

A heavy pause follows my words and he gazes down. "It wasn't always that way- I had to earn my title."