Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

321. Olivia - Building bridges I

The bond that ties Tyson and me together for eternity feels like pure agony. It spreads like wildfire through my veins, knocking me back to my senses.

Tyson's eyes shine with unshed tears. This is when I know that I went too far. I want to tell him that he is my first love, my mate, the father of my child, the one who will always have a special place in my life, but the words refuse to leave my mouth. All I can do is stare into his beautiful eyes while he breaks me even more with his words.

"You are the only thing in my mind from the moment I wake up. Thoughts of you consume every moment of the day. Even when I sleep, you keep tormenting me. Even if I'm just an afterthought, I prefer it. Because what's the alternative? You forgetting that I exist? I'll take whatever crumbs you throw at me if it means you will stay at the farm with us. Even if it means that you'll never," his voice drops to barely a whisper, his words only for me, "love me again." My chest hurts. My heart and soul as well.

I want to tell him that I lied, that I only wanted to hurt him, but it's like I'm speechless. And Rueben? I shouldn't have humiliated him like that in front of everyone. He might have said awful things about me, but he only did it in the privacy of our house. Except for that one time with Levi.... Even so, it still doesn't mean that what I did was right. I firmly believe that two wrongs never make a right, yet this is exactly what I did tonight. Just because Tyson and Rueben never bothered to ask me what really happened the night I was first abused, I shouldn't take this path of vengeance because if I do, I'll lose myself in the process. My darkness awaits the right moment to corrupt my soul and turn me evil. That is something that I vehemently refuse to do.

Camila would be disappointed with me. What would Spencer think if he saw me do this to his father? To Rueben?

Rueben is still on all fours, and I am about to reach out my hand to him and help him stand when he gets up. "I'm done here," he mutters as he jumps down from the dais. Lords mock him on his way out of the room.

If I want a life with my mates, I should really find it in my heart to forgive Rueben. Not because he deserves it but because it's not worth the anger and the resentment it's causing me.

I'm debating going after him when Tyson gets to his feet, removes his shirt, and puts it around my shoulders. I push my arms through the sleeves. "I need to talk to Rueben," I say more for me than for the others.

"He needs some space. He probably feels very emasculated right now." Tyson's voice lets me know that he also feels the same.

up. "Now that the shit

let everyone know what an amazing bonded I have." He winks at me before adding, "She is one

she did later." Is he pretending that I'm not here? I guess he didn't like that I used my powers on him. I wonder if he will bring up the subject.

fold my arms over my chest. "Yet sex happens here daily. What's the difference between me and the other women

you, young

least he does acknowledge that I am

slits. "This conversation also includes me since I was the center

him-joins the conversation. "First of all, women are not allowed on the

start." The men look at me like I'm crazy, while the women have this expression of 'you are right' on their faces. I

who spends most of her life on her

who spoke. "If you are referring to pornais,

"They know only what we let them hear. Other than that, they know

say, "You are single, but from how your eyes keep drifting to the woman in your blood-brother's lap and how flustered you look, I don't think I'm wrong when I say you like her. More

face lets everyone know that I am

"You all come here to talk about the Dukes or whatever

are weak. That's why they need men