“Then why was he after you when I'm the one imprinted?” she asked.
I cleared my throat. “Because for some reason he thinks that killing me will prevent another soulbond.”
“See?” Bryn slapped Aylin's shoulder. “I told you he was your soulbonded mate.”
I choked on my beer, nearly spilling the entire contents over the bar.
“Ha! There you have it, child.” Nadia winked. “My work is done! Aylin, you know what you have to do.”
Aylin turned crimson.
Nadia finished her beer and, with a snap of her fingers, vanished.
My mouth dropped. What an odd little creature.
Aylin would have to complete the bond, and I prayed like hell she agreed with Bryn that I was her mate. I needed it to be me.
But Aylin's shoulders slumped. Earlier, when she declared I was her mate, she had been confident. But now? She didn't seem to believe it. Did she? She reached for her shot glass, hesitated, then brought it to her taut lips.
“I never doubt you, Bryn.” After Aylin downed even more alcohol, her brief smile wavered. “But I don't have an ounce of faith in that crazy old bat.”
She shook her glass, indicating another refill, but I slid a bottle of water down the bar, instead of more whiskey.
Liam sipped his beer and looked at my wrist, as if to confirm I was definitely not imprinted. “So, if Gabriel thinks you're a link to another soulbond, you just became a target.”
“We don't even know who she is bonded to.” I looked over at Aylin, but she refused to meet my eyes. My heart dropped at the thought that I might not be her mate. “Right, Aylin?”
“Hmm... sure.” Aylin tore the label off the water bottle.
Nope, we aren't playing this game.
I moved from behind the bar and walked to her. I slowly turned the bar stool so she sat facing me. I shifted my feet slightly apart, placed my hand under her chin, and tilted her head. Her forest green eyes shone with unshed tears. I bent my knees until my eyes were level with hers and begged her to see the honesty within me. I wanted to be hers. “Tell me what you know about this bond, love.”
I expected her to slap my hand away, to move from my hold; instead she placed her hand over my wrist and held on. Our faces inches apart, her breath mixed with mine. For a moment, we sought comfort from each other's touch. I leaned my forehead against hers and whispered, “Is it me?”
She moved her hand to my cheek then back to my hand braced under her chin. The feather light touch sent chills down my spine, lighting my soul with hope.
“I don't know,” she admitted.
Liam cleared his throat.
“You two are as blind as you are stupid.” Bryn stood from the bar.
I moved away from Aylin, looking into her sad eyes. My heart ached. There had to be a way to find out to whom she was imprinted.
“Excuse me,” I growled.
“You heard me.” Bryn jabbed a finger at my chest. “You act so big and tough like you know it all, but you're just a sap. How long have you been in love with Aylin? And she with you? Huh? I bet you two have been dancing around each other for years.”
Had I been? No. Yes. “Bryn, fuck, it's not that simple. Aylin and I can't be together. It's pack preference. She's the enforcer and I'm Beta. Two high-ranking members screwing around will only lead to trouble.”
“Well, thank God, you're not screwing around then.” She slammed her hands on the bar and pushed herself upright.
“Bryn,” Aylin said, “maybe you and I should have this conversation alone.”
“No, you need to have this conversation with Connor.” Bryn linked fingers with Liam and tugged him forward. “Liam, honey, you don't have any problems with your Beta and your enforcer seeing where this goes, do you?”
Oh, the poor man didn't know he had just walked into a trap. I grinned.
“Um, no. I mean, if it's a true soulbond, then who am I to judge?” He lightly kissed her. “But if it's not, then I don't want any trouble weakening our defensives.”
“Liam, I wouldn't let anything come between me and the pack.” Aylin rubbed the imprint. “Nothing is more important to me.”
“I know, Aylin, but you need to look after yourself, too. Bryn's told me that you've been imprinted for months.” Liam placed a hand on her shoulder.
Months! “What?” I asked.
But they ignored me.
“You can't deny fate. You need to face this head on before it destroys you. And no more running from us.” His stern glare made me take a step closer to Aylin.
“Okay,” Aylin responded.
“Months?” I asked again.
“Since the day of the accident.” She refused to look me in the eyes.
“Shit!” I ran a hand through my hair. “Is that why you've been distancing yourself from the pack?” From me?
“Yes. I didn't want anyone finding out until I found my mate. But my searches ended up to be dead-ends. Then it became embarrassing to admit that I didn't know how this happened. I mean, God! I feel like one of those women who goes into labor without even knowing they were pregnant!” She pushed away from the bar and paced.
“You're pregnant, too?”
“No, asshole!” She didn't find my joke funny.
“I think.” Bryn sat back down at the bar. “I think that maybe Liam and I are at fault for your bond. Or at least we played a role in it.”
I turned a questioning gaze to her.
She shuffled slightly in her seat. “I mean, think about it. Aylin became imprinted the day of the accident. That was the day she almost died. Liam and I poured all the power we could muster into her to save her life. This would have twined our magic with hers. If even a little semblance of a bond existed, our powers could have heightened it. We have no clue how powerful these bonds are.”
“So, are you saying you and
