priority. All he wanted to do was bask in the ever-growing feeling of utter relaxation.
Across the room, a besieged Everard sneaked out of the bunker and cautiously approached
the bed. He looked down at Hugh in what was either bewildered shock or mild repulsion. “I
cannot believe your solution was to use the mate bond to get him high.”
“I can’t believe it worked,” Finch said with a snort. “Mm, am I able to push yet, Everard? I’m
absolutely knackered.”
“Not yet, Post-It. Soon.”
Finch sighed and reached for Hugh’s hand, which Hugh gratefully took. “I’m glad you’re here
with me again,” Finch told him. “I’m glad that you’re my mate. A life without you is a life without
happiness. All the drugs in the world wouldn’t be able to numb the pain I’d be in right now if
there were another omega in your bed, having your baby.”
“Never.” Hugh brought Finch’s hand to his face and kissed it. “Never, ever, Finch. You always
were and always will be the one for me.”
“Are you planning on keeping up the drunken, heartfelt confessions for the next two or so
hours?” Everard asked. “Because if so, I’ll go grab a pastry from the kitchen and maybe a
coffee while I’m at it.”
Hugh looked to Finch for guidance, for without him, he’d be lost.
“No,” Finch said. “I don’t need to say anything when I can feel his truth through the bond. I
think I’d rather rest and be quiet.”
It sounded like an awfully good idea, so Hugh did the same. They lay in silence, vibing off each
other’s presence and channeling their love through the bond until Everard approached the bed
again and told Finch that it was time to push.
Finch
No sooner had Everard announced that it was time to push than a pain ripped through Finch
that not even his second-hand high could mitigate. He screamed in pain and clenched, curling
up on himself from the agony. It felt like he was being ripped apart.
“I could take away the pain, paper clip,” Everard told him in an irritatingly calm tone of voice
from the foot of the bed. “Let me use my magic to ease your contractions. Hugh’s ingenuity will
only take you so far. You’re in need of a healer’s touch. And before you argue, let me remind
you that magic is entirely natural. If you’re fine with what Hugh’s done for you via the mate