Page 33 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

I hesitated, then lifted my hand. My fingertips brushed the shirt on his back. He was trembling. His chin rested on top of my head, his breathing shifting from ragged to steady to ragged again, over and over.

"You were unconscious for five days." His voice came out strained. "I thought you'd never—"

He couldn't finish.

My nose stung. He cared about me, didn't he? Even if he didn't want me to carry his child. Even if he'd used me. Even if he might never know I was his mate. But he cared. In that instant, all the hurt from these past weeks deflated like a punctured balloon, slowly settling.

I stroked his back gently, my voice softening without meaning to.

"I'm back. I'm awake, aren't I, Lucifer?"

The bond tugged at me. I nestled into his broad embrace and closed my eyes. We stayed like that, holding each other. It was a scene I'd never dared dream of.

I wished time would slow down. Last longer. Stop forever, right here.

After his emotions settled, Lucifer released me and eased me back down, pulling the blanket up to my chin. His movements were careful, like I was made of porcelain. He sat on the edge of the bed, hand resting on the blanket.

"The servants killed themselves," he said. "Bit down on poison capsules hidden in their mouths. But we found out—they were from the Butcher Squad. Infiltrated the banquet posing as staff."

My heart clenched. I thought of Liam. Thank god I'd blocked that knife. If anything had happened to him, I would've lost my mind.

Lucifer read my emotions. He took my hand and cradled it in his palm. His hand was so large it could wrap around both of mine.

"Liam's fine." He paused. "Thank you."

You don't need to thank me. I'm his mother.

The words hovered on my lips but never made it out. I thought of my mother's warning, of how forbidden mixed-bloods were. I had to protect Liam. I'd keep this secret forever.

I looked up. Lucifer's eyes had been fixed on my face, but when they met mine, he jerked his gaze away to the wrinkles in the blanket. Almost guilty, like I'd caught him watching me. I wanted to laugh, to tease him—but then I saw his jaw, the stubble dark in the light. The hollows beneath his eyes were deep, the shadows underneath even darker. His lips were chapped and peeling. Strands of hair stuck to his forehead, uncombed.

My throat closed up.

"You've been here the whole time." Five days. He'd stayed by my side this entire time?

He fell silent. Didn't answer. My chest ached. Five days. He'd watched over me. Dealt with the Butcher Squad. Handled the Elder Council. Replaced all the suspicious servants... I tried to piece it all together in my head. Exhausting—that was my first thought. I couldn't imagine Lucifer's stress.

Silence spread between us.

The heat from that embrace was fading. After the emotions came the awkwardness. Lucifer seemed uncomfortable too, but his hand stayed wrapped around mine. My face flushed. I wiggled my fingers in his palm, brushing his skin like a feather. He gripped tighter.

"Elena—"

His voice dropped low, carrying some kind of implication. I understood. My heart hammered. Lucifer leaned closer, his breath washing over my face. I could see his Adam's apple bob. The bond awakened my body's memory of that night. Tingling sensations spread from my neck down my spine.

Damn it. I pressed my legs together. He was only getting close, and I was already reacting. And he had no idea, just kept saying those things that made my face burn and my heart race.

"Elena, I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't control wanting to kiss you..."

Lucifer's words came with difficulty, but his actions didn't hesitate. His lips hovered over mine. I was already preparing to moan—

"Alpha. Luna."

A maid knocked at the door.

Instantly, Lucifer jerked back. He released my hand and awkwardly ran his fingers through his hair. The door opened. The maid entered with Liam, both bowing to us. Liam peeked out from behind her, clutching something behind his back. He glanced at me, then at Lucifer, his small face tight, lips pressed into a thin line.

"Liam?" Surprise colored my voice.