Chapter 17: Tamsin's POV
1122 Words
"You know that bird’s judging us, right?"
Lior’s voice is full of mock-seriousness as he points at a plump little robin perched on the low branch of a nearby tree, its tiny head c****d slightly in our direction.
I squint up at it. "You think so? I think she looks kind. Wise. Maybe a little sad."
He scoffs. "Sad? That bird has probably lived a life of luxury. She's got worms delivered to her tree. She's royalty."
I laugh, the sound bubbling out before I can stop it. It feels good to laugh. It feels even better to laugh with Lior. He always knows how to pull me out of my head which I appreciate more than he knows.
We’re lounging beneath a wide oak at the edge of the eastern meadow, far from the heart of the pack’s territory.
The spring grass is cool beneath us, speckled with wildflowers. The sky is painted in fading golds and oranges, the promise of night just a breath away.
"You always do that," he says after a beat, his voice softer now.
"Do what?" I tilt my head toward him.
"Find the beauty in everything. Even a bird you claim is sad. It’s... kind of amazing."
My chest tightens in that way that I hate. That way that makes me see a compliment as an indirect call out to me being naive instead of accepting it.
I glance down at my lap, fingers twisting around the hem of my dress. "Maybe it’s because it’s easier than looking at the ugly things."
He’s quiet for a second. Then he says in the lightest voice, "that's brave, Tam. Braver than most."
I don’t know why that makes my throat close up. Maybe it’s the sincerity in his voice.
Maybe it’s because no one’s ever said that to me before—not like that. I blink quickly, pretending the moisture in my eyes is from the wind.
"So, you gonna cry on me now?" he teases gently, nudging me with his elbow.
"Allow a girl her emotions, can you?" I nudge him back, a grin tugging at my lips.
We fall into an easy silence, one of those rare moments where I don’t feel the pressure of who I’m supposed to be. I’m just me. Just Tamsin.
And he looks at me like that’s enough.
He leans back on his elbows, glancing at the sky. "Remember when you mentioned leaving here?"
I frown a bit. I still consider that, though I admit it's mostly because I don't want to be near my two ingredients for heart break.
Especially since the festival night when Lior mentioned that Nox turned me down because of a curse. A curse he didn't think I deserved to know about.
I take in a breath and shrug, "well–"
"It'll be permanent, wouldn't it? If you have to leave?" He cuts in.
"Lior, I don't–"
"I'm not going to judge, Tam."
His eyes bore into mine like he can see all the elements of my soul and I feel myself open up to the sweet pressure of his gaze.
I hesitate, thinking about it for a little while, before a coherent answer forms in my head. "To be honest, I think that's the purpose of leaving. Never coming back, you know? But where would I go? This is all I’ve known. Even if it’s not always kind to me."
He hums. "I think it's not a bad idea to start over. Be somewhere you're more than just an omega. Somewhere people see you for everything you are."
His voice holds something deeper now. I glance at him, heart stuttering.
"Or what if you stayed close to me, Tam?" he says softly, eyes turned away from me and back to the sky. "What if you didn’t have to leave at all?"
My breath catches. The air between us suddenly feels thicker.
This isn't just a persuasion to not leave, this is him asking me to be with him. He's giving me a reason to not leave.
"He wants you to be his, Tammy," Kira whispers, as if she doesn't want her voice to ruin a magical moment.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My thoughts are in a million places.
He shifts again, sitting upright, facing me now. "I know you still think about him."
That makes me flinch. "Lior—"
"It’s okay," he says quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "I get it. You don’t just turn that off. Even if he didn’t give you the chance to know him."
There’s an edge beneath his words. Just a flicker of something—resentment? I can't tell.
I swallow. "It’s just the bond. The rejection. It’s supposed to make you feel... twisted."
He studies me. "You didn’t deserve that."
My fingers tighten around a stray blade of grass. "Maybe he was trying to protect me, with the curse and all that."
At this point, I'm grasping for straws. This feels like a delicate conversation to have with him. I mean, we're talking about his best friend for heavens sake.
He laughs at that though. It's a kind of bitter laugh. "Yeah. That’s a nice excuse, isn’t it? Makes it easier to believe he’s not just a coward."
I look at him, startled. Is there an inner conflict going on between the both of them? Either way, he's right.
His jaw is tight, but he forces a smile when he catches me staring.
"Sorry. That was out of line."
"No... maybe not. I don’t know. It’s confusing."
He reaches for my hand and laces his fingers with mine. His touch is warm. Steady.
"You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Just... let yourself be here. With me."
I exhale slowly, my heart skipping. There’s a comfort in his presence that I can’t deny. A steady beat in the storm.
"You’re easy to be around," I admit. "I don’t have to pretend with you."
"Good," he says, smiling. "Because I like the real you. The one who talks to birds and laughs like it’s a rebellion."
I laugh again, nudging him with my shoulder. "Stop. You’re ridiculous."
He leans closer, brushing a soft kiss to my forehead. I stiffen, but I don't feel the need to pull away.
The moment lingers more the moment lingers the more my heart hammers against my ribs, loud and unsure.
Maybe it’s not about forgetting Nox. Maybe it’s about allowing myself to feel something new. Maybe it’s about someone finally choosing me.
I let my head rest on Lior’s shoulder. And for once, I let myself believe I’m safe here.
Even if I have no idea what that safety truly costs.
- Writer
