Lessons in Love

Chapter 30: What the Hell was That?!

POV: Delta Rick Wallis

“What the hell was that?!” I asked as we left my office. Sam didn’t have time to answer, Katherine ran up to him and jumped on him. He caught her in his arms as she wrapped her legs around him and slammed her mouth down on his.

“Uh … guys?” I rubbed the back of my neck and looked away. They pulled apart panting, only to bury their noses in the side of the other’s neck. I knew it was something mated couples did to calm each other down. It had just been a long time since I’d seen anyone do it.

“Sorry,” Katherine said as she dropped her feet, and Sam put her back on solid ground. “I needed that.”

“I love you,” Sam whispered. “Only you.” He leaned in and kissed her.

“I’ll meet you downstairs.” I grumbled, passing them and heading down the steps.

Sam snickered behind me as they started their descent. “It’s perfectly natural.” He said.

“Was that natural?” I spun around and snapped at him, gesturing to where we’d just come from.

“We should have this conversation in your quarters.” Katherine said gently.

I mumbled an apology and headed for my front door. I waited for everyone to come in before I continued. “Well, what was that?”

“What they experienced looked a lot like rejection.” Sam said.

“But more intense.” Katherine added.

“He said he’d hurt her.” I told them and started pacing. “But it doesn’t track.” I shook my head. “No way Ben rejects her. He wouldn’t risk killing them to break a bond he’s enjoying. Have you seen the way he looks at her? As scared as he is right now, he wants her as his mate. What about Riley? Would she try to kill them?”

Sam and Katherine looked at each other. “She did say that she and her friend vowed not to let a mate stand in their way.” Sam reminded me. I looked down at the floor, embarrassed about that day.

“She’s got her whole future mapped out, Sam. And didn’t you say she’d told you the bond felt right, but she was afraid of the curse?” Katherine challenged.

Sam nodded. “No, I don’t think she’d reject him.”

“So, we’re ruling out rejection, then what could have created that?” I asked.

“I don’t know much about curses, but I have seen a Blessed Union once. A friend of my sister’s is in one, and they can’t so much as think about rejection without feeling excruciating pain.” Katherine said.

“Riley suggested a Power Bond.” I said.

Katherine pulled out her phone and looked it up. “A couple destined to right a wrong or an injustice. The couple can not break free of the bond until they have completed their destined mission. If one of them dies before the mission is complete, they both die. If one or both of them reject each other, they die. The Goddess is said to reclaim the souls of Power Bonded couples and reincarnates them until they accept each other and complete their divine mission.” She read.

“Any chance they can right George?” I growled.

“It could be.” Sam shrugged.

“Wait, listen to this,” Katherine said, scrolling down further. “Power Bonded couples can sometimes behave differently from regular bonds. They start sharing emotions from just a scent, whether they’ve met or not, which is said to be the Goddess, forcing them to find each other faster. These couples will often need to allow each other into dangerous situations and, therefore, can not be as possessive as regular pairs. This allows them to serve the Goddess above all.”

“Maybe that’s why they’ve been able to withstand the bond so far.” Sam mused. “Maybe it’s just a good, old, fashion feedback loop.” Sam looked at Katherine and laughed.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Mates feel each other’s emotions. So, if they were to argue, for example, they would be angry, plus they’d be feeling their mate’s anger, which would, in turn, make their anger greater … and so on.” Sam explained.

“They almost argued themselves to death. That’s what you’re telling me?”

Katherine laughed. “It shouldn’t have come to that, but if they are a Power Bond, then it could be possible.” She sat back and thought about it for a moment. “Ben said he’d hurt her. What if they were arguing and he said or did something that hurt her?”

“What are you suggesting?” I growled at her. I didn’t believe Ben would ever do anything to physically harm Riley, but I knew what Ben’s aura felt like. It was immensely angry and vengeful, in a way. Sam growled low in warning at me, reminding me I was still growling at his mate.

Katherine put her hand on Sam’s arm to get him to stop. “I wasn’t suggesting he’d physically hurt her. Ben, no matter how angry he could get, would never attack someone out of anger.” She said softly.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. “I’m sorry.” I said, killing the growl.

“It’s like you said,” Katherine continued. “He wants her.”

“And she wants him.” Sam said firmly.

“So, what could have sparked the argument? What would make either or both of them lash out at each other?” Katherine sat back pensively.

“If he thought he’d hurt her in any way, he’d feel awful.” I said.

“Awful enough to think she deserved better?” Sam asked.

“And if the thing he said hurt her that much, would she think he’s not the right mate for her?” Katherine added.

“s**t!” I scrubbed my hands down my face.

“You know what it is.” Katherine said, almost excitedly.

“No,” I shook my head and resumed my pacing.

“But,” Sam prompted.

“I didn’t …” I took a deep breath and shook my head again.

“Rick, whatever it is, it’s not your fault.” Sam said firmly.

I gave him a stern look. “I didn’t react well to being at the school today. It’s the second time Riley has had her hands on me. Look how you two reacted, and you’ve been mated what, 11, 12 years? Ben is probably pissed with her for helping me.” I felt worse than I had when I’d first come home from the school.

“No,” Sam said gently. “Ben would defend you to the ends of the earth. He didn’t even growl the first time. He was more concerned that you were okay than that she was touching you. That was very clear.”

“They haven’t touched yet.” Katherine said.

“So?” I replied.

“So, if she hasn’t touched Ben, then maybe that is why he was upset. She’s touched you more than she’s touched him. He’s not … allowed to touch her under the circumstances. That would drive me insane.” Sam said, putting a possessive arm around his mate.

“Like you said, if they’re a power bond, then they aren’t as possessive as you two are. And Sam’s right, Ben would never be upset with her for helping me.” I said the last part quietly.

“What if he thought the opposite?” Katherine hypothesized. “If he thought she was medaling, pushing Rick to do something he was uncomfortable with…”

“Something like the school.” Sam said gently.

“He’d absolutely take a strip off her.” I finished. “s**t!”

“Sam's right. This isn’t your fault, Rick. They’re grown adults. They needed to have a reasonable and rational conversation about their feelings. That’s not on you.” Katherine said firmly.

“Well, I think they’re communicating now.” Sam snickered. “I’ll bet they’re curled up on your couch snuggling and kissing.”

“What kind of bet?” I perked up.

“You honestly think they’re staying apart right now? After what they just put each other through?” Sam said, shocked at my hubris.

“Fifty bucks says Benny-boy keeps his hands to himself.” I said.

“She was sobbing when we left. No way he doesn’t at least hold her. You’re on!”