A FEW HOURS LATER
JAXON'S POINT OF VIEW:
I leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching Xavier curled up in his nest. It was the first time I'd ever seen someone settle into one so perfectly, as if he'd been made for it. Pillows and soft blankets surrounded him, piled high and fluffed to his liking. He looked like he belonged there, like it was the only place in the world where he could truly rest.
Moonlight spilled in from the high arched window, casting soft light over his face. His hair was a tousled mess, strands splayed across the pillow, and his lashes rested against flushed cheeks. He was breathing softly, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm that, for reasons I couldn't quite explain, I found almost hypnotic. Michael stepped up beside me, quiet as a shadow. He followed my gaze, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Looks different." He murmured, voice low.
"Yeah." I replied, not tearing my eyes away. "More...comfortable."
Michael huffed out a laugh.
"More desirable, you mean."He said.
I shot him a glance, but he just smirked, unapologetic. I couldn't argue, though. He was right. There was something about Xavier that seemed to get stronger every day, some kind of pull, like a magnet tugging us both closer without resistance. Maybe it was the bond. Maybe it was just him.
"His scent is changing too." Michael added, voice even softer. "Sweeter."
I took a breath, letting it sink in. He wasn't wrong. There was a softness to it now, something that lingered in the air, clinging to the fabric of his nest and curling around every edge of the room. It made my fingers twitch with the need to touch, to sink down next to him and wrap him up tighter.
"Getting stronger." I said, almost to myself.
Michael nodded, his gaze darkening.
"Selene did say the bond accelerates things. He's...adapting."He said.
I watched as Xavier shifted in his sleep, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he buried himself deeper into the blankets. His legs tangled in the sheets, hands clutching the pillow closer. For a split second, I caught the hint of a smile barely there, but enough to make my chest tighten. Michael chuckled, the sound low and smooth.
"Starting to like it, huh?"He asked.
I didn't answer. I didn't need to. My eyes were locked on Xavier, on the way his breathing evened out, on how peaceful he seemed when he wasn't fighting against the bond, or us.
"Let him sleep a bit longer." I said, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.
Michael raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He knew better. We stepped back from the doorway, leaving him nestled in his world of warmth and softness. But even as I walked away, I couldn't shake the image from my mind Xavier curled up in that nest, looking every bit the perfect omega. And mine. Xavier moved lightly, a small sigh escaping him as he rolled over, clutching one of the pillows tighter. We stepped forward, instincts pushing us closer until we were right beside him, standing over his sleeping form. His breathing hitched slightly, as if sensing our presence even in sleep. Michael reached out first, fingers brushing lightly over Xavier's cheek. Xavier flinched, but his eyes stayed shut, a small shiver rippling through him.
"Relax." Michael murmured, voice almost a purr.
His hand moved gently, stroking along Xavier's jaw, tracing the line of his neck.
I watched as Xavier's breathing deepened, like his body already knew to respond to us. I moved next, sinking down to the edge of the nest, careful not to wake him. My hand found its way to his hair, brushing back a few strands that had fallen across his forehead. He leaned into the touch unconsciously, nuzzling closer to my hand. Michael grinned, glancing down at me.
"He's adapting faster than I thought."He said.
"Yeah…" I couldn't hide the satisfaction in my voice.
It was true. The little resistance that had been there before was melting away, replaced by soft sighs and instinctive touches. He wanted this maybe even more than he knew. I tilted my head, eyes catching the glimmer of light on his wrist. The system screen hovered just above his skin, numbers flickering softly. Michael saw it too, his grin widening.
"System update... Sync progress: 50%"System said.
"Fifty percent." He whispered, almost reverently. "We're halfway there."
Halfway. My heart pounded at the thought. The bond was knitting together piece by piece, every touch, every breath pulling him closer to us. He had no idea how strong it would get, how much he would need us.
"Think he knows?" Michael asked, fingers still brushing along Xavier's skin, gentle but possessive.
I shook my head.
"Not yet. But he will."I said.
Xavier murmured something in his sleep, brow creasing slightly before he settled again. His lips parted, a soft breath escaping him. Instinct kicked in, and I found myself leaning closer, my hand slipping down to cradle the side of his face.
"He's ours." I whispered, voice rough with certainty.
Michael nodded, eyes dark with desire. And from the way Xavier sighed softly, leaning into the touch, I could tell, he was beginning to accept it too. We were still lingering by the edge of Xavier's nest, the soft rise and fall of his chest hypnotic, when the air around us shimmered with that familiar, unsettling glow. I tensed, glancing over my shoulder just as Selene materialized from thin air, her silver hair cascading like moonlight over her shoulders.
"Well, well…" She whispered, eyes gleaming with something between pride and amusement. "My little omega seems to be adapting quite well."
Michael straightened, fingers slipping from Xavier's cheek as he turned to face her.
"You're here for a reason." He said bluntly, voice edged with suspicion.
Selene only smiled wider, stepping forward with the grace of something not entirely mortal. She glanced down at Xavier, her gaze softening for just a moment before it sharpened again.
"I am. I have a little...gift for you."She said.
From the folds of her flowing silver robe, she pulled out a glass vial filled with a shimmering, opalescent liquid. It caught the light like molten stars, swirling and pulsing with every movement.
"A potion?"Michael asked.
Selene rolled her eyes dramatically, holding the vial up between her fingertips.
"Not just any potion, darling. This is...an accelerator."She said.
My eyes narrowed.
"Accelerator. For the bond." She purred, gaze flicking back to Xavier. "You're at fifty percent now. This…little beauty will push things along."
"How much?"I asked.
Selene tilted her head, her smile widening.
"If administered correctly? A good twenty-five percent."She said.
Michael's eyes widened.
"That much?"He asked.
Her gaze glittered with amusement.
"Why, surprised? I told you, I want my precious Omega well bonded. The faster, the better."Selene smirked.
I turned back to Xavier, watching the way he shifted slightly, still deeply asleep, his body curling instinctively toward the warmth we left behind. I could practically taste the increase in his scent, the way it filled the room thicker than before. Michael glanced at me, his expression conflicted.
"What do you think?"He asked.
I didn't hesitate.
"We do it."I said.
Selene clapped her hands together, her grin practically gleeful.
"Perfect. Now, you'll need to do it while he's still relaxed. The body accepts it better when it's...unguarded."She siad. Her eyes glimmered with something wicked. "It'll make him more sensitive, more aware. And most importantly, more connected to you both."
Michael smirked, glancing back at Xavier.
"I don't see the downside."Michael said.
Selene handed me the vial, her fingers brushing mine, icy cold and feather light.
"Just a few drops on his tongue." She said, her voice low. "And then...watch the magic happen."
I held the vial carefully, turning it in my hands as the liquid shimmered.
"And you're sure it's safe?"I asked.
Her laughter was a melodic thing, light and echoing.
"Oh, Jaxon… It's more than safe. It's destiny."She agreed.
Michael's hand clapped down on my shoulder.
"Let's do this."He said.
I nodded, the decision made. Together, we leaned over Xavier, his lashes fluttering slightly in his sleep, lips parted just enough. Gently, I uncorked the vial, the scent of moonflower and something ethereal spilling into the room. Michael steadied Xavier's head, cupping his jaw gently as I let a few drops fall onto his tongue. The liquid shimmered as it touched his lips, vanishing almost instantly.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, his breath hitched, his fingers curling tighter into the blankets. His lips parted further, a soft sigh spilling out. Michael's eyes locked with mine, and I saw the same fire burning there.
"Now we wait…" Selene whispered, voice full of anticipation. Her gaze flicked back to Xavier, eyes glittering with something dark and delighted. "You'll like what happens next."