Jax

Life slowly falls back to normal over time, yet it still holds to the trauma deep within and refuses to let it go. I got used to Knox and how he lived. Money wasn't an issue, so he spent it without care; His time was sparse, so he was barely home. Our routine formed, the days seemed to fly by, and the moments spent with him seemed to pass quickly. 

I tried to hold onto every moment with him because I never knew when the next one would be. As his business trip arrived, my mood began to decline - I was used to not seeing him for hours at a time, but for a few days, how would I cope?

"He will be home in two days; I didn't think spending time with me would depress you this much!"

Aiden smirks at me from across the kitchen island, which causes me to stick my finger up at him. I had been passed off like a child that needed looking after (and whilst that was most likely valid), I couldn't shift the resentment within me; why couldn't I have just joined Knox at his business meeting?

Aiden sips his coffee while reading the open book spread across the island. Dressed, for once, in casual clothes instead of the hospital attire - it was strange, but the long-sleeved, baggy shirt tucked into jeans suited him well. He bites at his lip and turns back to the dough on the countertop, eyes still fixed on his book as he kneads. 

Books seemed to be all he cared about despite having a guest. I let out a breath and skimmed my fingertip around the rim of my wine glass; when had it gotten so empty?

"You wouldn't understand."

Aiden looks up from his book and smiles,

"Try me."

I roll my eyes and gulp wine before replying. 

"It hurts me here when he is away."

I clutch at my chest.

"Well, what do you expect? You and he are so stubborn it's unbelievable."

"What do you mean."

He shakes his head and forcefully smacks his hand onto the dough. 

"You are Mates, most likely true mates, and yet neither of you will admit it to each other. That comes with consequences."

I spit out a mouthful of wine, 

"Go back, repeat that, please!"

"Honestly, Jax, anyone would have guessed just from the way you both act with each other. You and Knox are drawn to each other, and when you are together, nothing else matters - you are magnets, drawn to each other the second you are in range."

I blink at him, mouth open - If Aiden knew, did that mean Knox also knew? My heart thuds in my chest, the action almost in slow motion as I struggle to catch my breath. Was he acting as if he didn't for my benefit if he knew?

"Yes, Knox knows. Your face gives you away."

My fish bobs like a fish as I try to reply, but before anything comes out, the front door bursts open, followed by loud squeals of excitement. Aiden's face suddenly changes at the sound, and quickly he wipes his hands with a towel as a set of identical girls rush around the kitchen island.

Bright pink butterflies smeared with glitter stain their faces, and Aiden shouts in amazement as he lifts both girls into his arms. Their golden blonde hair falls in waves to their shoulders, and despite the face paint, you can see that their faces are soft, round and beautiful. Their golden eyes were identical to their father and Uncle, and beneath their right eye sat a single mole; the Harlin trait seemed to pass down through the generations. 

"I am so sorry we are late; the girls wanted butterflies painted on their faces, and I couldn't refuse."

Behind the girls enters a petite and slender man, gorgeous beyond belief. His oversized jacket falls from him, and he settles it onto the kitchen island, grazing the fabric with his long, slender fingers. His hair was golden blonde and long like the twins, but his eyes were of the brightest blue I'd ever seen. He was gorgeous, which was typical for a dominant Omega. He notices me and pauses, which causes me to smile. Then, he slaps Aiden on the side, causing the girls to giggle.

"You could have told me how gorgeous Knox's mate was; I would have been slightly jealous!"

I burst into laughter and set my glass onto the counter before slipping off the bar stool. I walk toward him, intimidated by his beauty. 

"If anyone is jealous, it's me - You are stunning! If anything, I'm weird, I'm above natural Omega height, and I have more muscle than I should!"

I lift my shirt slightly to reveal the muscles of my stomach. The Omega squeals and grazes his fingers across my stomach, causing me to jump in surprise. 

"I work so hard to get muscles like this, but no matter what, I'm just flat!"

"Flat but beautiful!"

Aiden pipes up from behind us, which makes the Omega flush. He shakes his head and steps forward before wrapping me in his arms. I freeze for a moment but lean into the hug.

"I'm Cassian, but you can call me Cas."

I lean back and smile, 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cas; I'm Jax."

The fire in the fireplaces crackles and spits, spreading warmth across the family room in waves. The large, towering windows look into the night, giving a perfect view of the millions of tiny white stars in the sky. I drink from my wine glass and admire their beauty. Was Knox looking out into the sky too? Could he see the beauty of the stars?

I let my head drop dramatically and glance at Aiden and Cassian as they talk, their hands roaming each other for comfort. Then, Aiden settles on his work jacket and lifts his briefcase from its place beside the door, turning back to kiss Cassian on the lips lovingly. 

"Don't get my wife into trouble, Jax."

I stick him the finger, which causes him to laugh as Cassian ushers him out the door. Then, with a final kiss, Aiden is off, and Cassian locks up, bolting the door shut before wandering back to settle onto the sofa. He covers himself with the giant blanket and picks up his wine glass before turning to me with a raised brow. 

"Now, tell me why you are so sad!"

So he was also good with people. I wouldn't get away with anything with him, so I shrug and lean back into the sofa instead of fighting it. 

"You pheromones smell of sadness, but your face isn't the brightest at the moment."

"I haven't admitted to Knox that I know about the Bond; I almost feel it isn't real and that I'm going crazy. My heart feels numb, and anytime I think of him, it feels as if I'm empty - I feel pain when he isn't near me like I'm being stabbed."

Cassian nods and sips from his glass, 

"Being bonded to another is a powerful thing. I don't speak about it much, but before I met Aiden, I was bonded to my mate - he was everything to me, and then he died, and I honestly felt as if I had died with him."

He stares out the window, glossy-eyed, as his fingers tap anxiously at his glass. 

"I don't know how to explain it, but it was as if someone had scooped out my insides and left me empty. I couldn't eat, sleep or feel anything but sadness and pain. I fought daily to stay alive because he was in my mind constantly." 

Cassian wipes at a stray tear and coughs before continuing.

"The day I attempted to end it all, a man came along and fixed me up and told me that I had more to live for. So now, after years of struggling, I live for that man and the children he gave me, and whilst I miss my bonded mate dearly, it doesn't hurt as much anymore." 

I stare at him, shocked. 

"Don't make Knox wait too long, he too has a dark past, and he deserves to be happy. You will be that for him."

"How do you know? I don't want to make him think I'm only with him for the money and status because I really couldn't give a fuck - I want him, always, and it's terrifying."

I barely knew Knox, yet he was my entire world - it feels like I am made for him and only him. It was as if he was my world.

"He's so kind to me."

Cassian smiles and reaches forward to squeeze my hand. 

"I think you know why."

Did I know? My eyes close, and suddenly I'm in the foyer of his office building, yet instead of being crowded, I see no one but him, frozen in place as he holds me in his arms. I walk forwards, noticing the hint of both fear and love in the depths of his golden eyes. We move forward, and then we are in his office, hands barely touching. His eyes stared at me intensely, and I remember the tingling sensation as our hands brushed. He'd constantly inhale the air when I was near, and he'd react to me somehow, whether with a look or a twitch of the hand. 

He reacted the same way that I did - because of the Bond.

I return to myself, but everything around me feels numb as I focus on the forceful beats of my chest. I squeeze my hand around my wine glass and inhale a deep breath. 

He accepts me; he accepts our Bond. 

Something tugs sharply in my chest, and I gasp as an overwhelming flow of warmth and emotions trickle into me. Everything within me becomes unmistakable, and finally, I realise why. The Bond snaps into place, the strand becoming more substantial as I finally accept the connection I and Knox share. 

Goosebumps litter my skin, and suddenly I'm crying, my eyes blurry as I gasp for breath. I feel him within me; he is everywhere, and it's too much yet not enough. 

"Jax, are you ok?"

My lower lip trembles as I suck back a sob and nod my head. I turn to him as he shuffles toward me and holds my arms. I fall forward and lean my head against his shoulder. He comforts me with a hug as I hiccup against him and smile. 

"The Bond. I finally accepted it."