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Audrey looks back at him, her dark eyes shining. He studies her expression carefully, still not sure whether she’s going to tell him to leave.
It won’t work, of course, but he hopes it won’t come to that.
Instead, she wraps her arms around his neck and buries her face in his chest.
“Thank you,” she whispers, and starts to cry.
This time is different. He had seen her tears before, but this is a side of Audrey she’s never let him see.
She’s vulnerable and clinging to him for comfort, and he pulls her closer.
This is all he’s ever wanted. It’s something he never dreamed he could have after everything he’s been through.
But he holds her to his chest, letting her sob out her sorrow and relief.
She shouldn’t have to go through any of this, he thinks.And she certainly shouldn’t have to be chained to a monster.
All he can do is hold her and listen to her cry.
“I’m here,” he promises her. “I’m right here, baby.”
She hiccups as he rubs her back, and his chest vibrates against her. His purr returns, and she sighs in relief.
He doesn’t know how long they stand like that, her wrapped in his tight embrace, but it doesn’t feel long enough.
When she pulls away, she wipes at her eyes and sniffles. “I missed you,” she admits quietly. “Even after what happened, I still missed you.”
His hands twitch at his sides, longing to touch her again, but he waits for her to continue.
“You frighten me, still,” she whispers. “Even now, I don’t know whether to run from you ortoyou.”
“You never have to make that choice. I’ll always make it for you,” he says quickly. “One way or another, you end up by my side. That’s the way it is, Audrey.”
She bites her lip, her gaze far away. Her eyes aren’t focused on him anymore; she’s lost in deep thought.
Finally, she nods. “I know that now.”
He can’t read what’s on her face. Her scent is sweet and thick, but her expression is still guarded.
“I’ve never believed in fate,” she says. “Things don’t happen for a reason—they justhappen. And the idea of mates is something I still need to wrap my head around.”
“I used to believe that, too,” he says softly. “Before I met you.”
Every morning in the military camp was hell. Every night was worse, and he believed there was no reason for any of it.
It was just by pure, shitty chance that he ended up an Alpha.
He was going to die alone in that military camp, with only the faded scent of a random Omega to keep him company.
“But now…” her voice trails off and she shifts uncomfortably on her feet, staring at his chest instead of into his eyes. “I think there was a reason we were at the lab at the same time. I’m just trying to make sense of it.”
“It doesn’t have to make sense, baby,” he murmurs, reaching out to caress her cheek.
“But it has to, forme,” she insists. “What I feel for you can’t just be by chance, or even by hormones alone.”
What I feel for you.
His chest constricts. He had hoped returning Pearl would at least win him some more time with her, but he never expected her to feel anything but resentment toward him.
