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“Just to discuss what happens when we get back to Vegas,” I said, knocking back a shot of whiskey, before pouring another.
“I see.” Dammit, she really was giving nothing away.
“Yeah, so…” I sat down on Theo’s cot just across from her. “I know you were concerned at the start of this mission about fitting in with the team, and as team leader, I’m not going to deny we had some teething problems.”
Her eyes flashed with annoyance, and she met my gaze full on, but I cut her off before she could say anything.
“However, as team leader, I am of the opinion that you more than proved yourself down in the city. I will be giving a very positive report of your performance when I debrief the Concordia, and I will be telling my boss that I am very happy for you to remain as part of my team permanently. I just wanted to set your mind at rest, so you weren’t worrying on the way.”
“Thank you, Alastor, I appreciate that.” She looked down at the bottle in her hands and didn’t say anything more. She was clearly worried about something, and I hated to see her so quiet. I shifted over next to her and reached down to take one of her hands in mine.
“What’s bothering you, Sariel? Are you worried about moving to Vegas, because you don’t need to. I’ll take care of you, and you know the Concordia will find somewhere for you to live, and you’ll be paid too.”
She looked up at me, her face unreadable. “You should know by now, Alastor, that I don’t want or need anyone taking care of me. I am perfectly capable of doing it myself.” She pulled her hand out of mine and shifted away from me. The gesture stung, but I took a deep breath and dived in.
“Sariel, I know I didn’t treat you the way I should have when you first arrived. I’ll admit, I had preconceptions of your kind that influenced me, and that was wrong of me. Having seen you down in that cave, your fighting skills, the way you took command so naturally, I hold my hands up and admit that I underestimated you and I won’t do it again. I know that you are incredibly capable of taking care of yourself. What I need you to understand is that I want to take care of you. I need to. Not because you can’t, but because it’s something in me that is desperate to protect and care for you.”
She frowned at me. “Alastor, while I appreciate you finally seeing me for what I am, I don’t understand what you’re saying. You know I can take care of myself, but you still think I need looking after?”
I took a deep breath and shook my head. “No, it’s… look, I really need to tell you something, but it might take a bit of explaining and I really need you to hear me out before you react. Can you do that for me?”
She nodded, though she looked wary. I sighed and stood up, unable to keep still or even look at her as I spoke. For someone used to keeping anything emotional shoved down inside, this was fucking hard to do.
“I’m not… I mean, I’ve been around longer than it looks. I’m not quite as old as Cole, but I’ve spent a few centuries above ground and a couple below… I’ve been around a while.”
She snorted. “You’re still a baby.”
I grinned. “Only to you, but I wouldn’t dare comment on a woman’s age.”
A tiny smile escaped, and she looked away rolling her eyes as if to hide it. It was the first sign she’d given me that she wasn’t as cold towards me as she was making out.
“The point is, is that in all that time, I never felt… like I could… I’ve had friendships, and even relationships, I’m not saying Ihaven’t… I don’t want to imply…" Fuck, I was really messing this up. Emotional outbursts were not my thing.
“I’m lonely,” I blurted out. Oh great, now she’ll think you’re pathetic, way to go.
Sariel raised her eyebrows. “Lonely?”
I sighed and sat back down next to her. She didn't move away this time which I was grateful for. My ego was feeling pretty bruised already.
“Lonely. Like I could never have something deeper, a connection with someone.” I took another deep breath. This honesty stuff was fucking hard. “I never felt seen,” I confessed. “Even Cole, and we’ve been… friends for a long time. It’s just not… they don’t see me.”
“I’m not following,” she said, though her voice was softer this time.
I looked up at her. “I know Theo talked to you about… wolves and hounds don’t have much in common, but we do share one similarity, and that’s fated mates. Someone somewhere that is perfect for them in every way, someone you have a connection with that can’t be broken. Someone who completes you.”
“Theo explained it to me,” she said, the wariness on her face increasing. “But why are you?”
I swallowed hard, and before I could wimp out, I took the leap.
“When I’m with you, Sariel, I don’t feel lonely anymore. I know we have our differences, and we clash a lot, but I knew from the first moment I met you. It didn’t matter that you were an angel, fate doesn’t care. I saw you.” I reached out and ran my fingers down the side of her face. “And I think you saw me too. You’re it for me, Sariel. You’re the person I’m supposed to be with. Forever.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
SARIEL
Icouldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t react in any way. I just sat there and stared at him. His fingers traced my cheekbone, and down my jaw and along, brushing gently over my lips. As always, his touch stoked a fire inside me and I closed my eyes, trying to fight against it.
"What if I don't want forever?" I whispered.
