Page 183

I nodded reluctantly and kissed her head before letting him take her. I watched until she was safely beside Vaela, then lowered my hands to the cushion. My arms felt so empty without her.

Alaric drew the blanket over them. I started to ask Darius to come closer, but I remembered him beside the nest during the attack. I’d hidden from him beneath the blankets, begging him to send Thaddeus away.

You’re a liar. I hate you.

I looked at the doorway, where he’d barely moved since I woke.

“Oh, Darius.” His arms unfolded as I tried to see him through my tears. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

He crossed the room and knelt beside me. I put both hands against his face, and his eyes closed at the touch. When he opened his eyes again, I leaned toward him.

“I don’t hate you. I love you.”

“I know, sweet Omega.”

“Then why were you standing so far away?”

He covered one of my hands. “You asked me to stay away. I didn’t want you to wake frightened of me again.”

“No, baby.” I drew him closer, and he bent until I could kiss him. His mouth was warm beneath mine. He returned the kiss gently, his hand settling over mine against his cheek. I kissed him again, then rested my forehead against his.

“You called for me, and I didn’t come.” His voice had roughened.

“You were protecting us.”

“Yes, but I knew you were asking for me. I should have come.”

I stroked his cheek. “You did come.”

“Later than I should have.”

“I didn’t mean it. I thought you were letting them hurt us.” I shook my head, struggling to explain. “I know that was wrong. I just…”

“I know. I’m sorry, sweet Omega.”

I slipped my arms around his neck. Alaric supported my back as Darius leaned into the embrace, taking care not to press against my stomach. He was so much bigger than me that even like this I could barely reach around him, but I held him as firmly as my tired arms allowed.

“I love you,” I whispered against his cheek. “Please don’t stand by the door.”

His hand settled at the back of my head. “I love you too, sweet Omega.”

When he drew away, a tear slipped down his cheek. I caught it with my thumb, shocked into silence. He kissed my palm, held it to his mouth, then gently lowered my hand to the blanket.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

I watched him leave, my chest tightening again. “Have I upset him?”

Alaric kissed my temple. “He feared those would be the last words you ever spoke to him.”

“Oh.” I looked towards the door, thinking of him waiting for nine days to hear me speak to him again.

“He knows you love him, my heart. Give him a little time.”

I nodded and leaned against Alaric, letting him hold me as Lucien tucked the blanket around my arms.

“I want to thank Thaddeus.”

“You can,” Alaric said. “He’ll come to see you soon.”