When she looked at me likeher alpha.
If we had a bond, I bet I could have felt her wanting me to stay. Could have had that affection returned through the tether I’m fighting not to form; I had to leave the room before discipline meant nothing to me.
Time will still be our biggest barrier, but she will adjust to being my mate. Prefer me, in the end. None of that was possible untilthatlook, though.
Once she is mybondedomega, she’llfeelmy truth, and know I’m not deceiving her. I see the hope now, the way forward so much clearer than even just yesterday.
My omega will be truly mine.
I move to a window that overlooks the gathering below, running my hand over the stubble of my face, wishing it were Diana’s skin. What do I do next? How do Icontinue to foster what she just gave me? That affection can’t be stolen, or else I would have taken it by now.
My comm device beeps, and I grab it to look at Diana as she sleeps soundly. I leave the camera’s screen to see a message:
Availability for tomorrow to now depart.
Well, that’s shit timing. Who will take care of her while I’m gone? This seriously has to happenrightas I’m breaking through to her?
Caring for someone who is actively fighting against me makes me start pacing the space. I glance at the door, wondering if I should go up there and purr, pet her hair, and tell her things she wants to hear. Then bite her, so I can at least ensure my presence in her life is permanent before leaving tomorrow.
No, that feels wrong, too. I can’t bond with an omega and then leave her, especially when Diana clearly has deep wounds that need healing. She only knows independence, but her soul craves to give all the worry away to someone. Abandoning her right after bonding would be throwing a lit match onto gasoline.
If that’s true, then we need to leave as soon as we can so I can return.
I pick up the comm, replying:
We leave at dawn
The sooner we get back, the better. And we need every hour of sunlight for travel tomorrow.
It’s typical to allow a white flag rider within your territory, as an extension of the peace offering for negotiations. But with Diana here, none of Titan’s men are coming within my walls.
I place the comm on my desk. What if I left Diana a note? Should I wake her to let her know I’ll be gone, but Iwillreturn? I would have said something if I were aware we’d be leaving tomorrow.
Honestly… it was nice not to worry about warning her. To just exist together and see where the time took us. I’ve admittedly only come around at night, because if I were to be gone during the day, it would raise suspicion.She’s growing bored. I grin at how feisty she is, and she’s pretty fucking crafty. I palm a pen on my desk before grabbing the comm instead:
Change departure to noon
No, I’ll tend to her in the morning. I glance back at the door that takes me to her.
Normally, I’m not a man to indulge in spontaneity, but if I’ve ever had an intuition, then it’s currently yelling at me to go back to her. That if I want her to continue to feel for me, she needs me now.
With that, I grab the comm and message Kitty:
Bring breakfast for Diana and me at seven-thirty. Send maids to have a hot bath drawn in my quarters by eight.
I grab a pistol and a loaded magazine as well, my worry on edge more than usual. I’m as quiet as I can be as I ascend the steps.
I don’t like leaving her tomorrow.
As I enter the space, I place the firearm on the mantle and then move to the bed where she sleeps, the fire just barely casting any shadows on her beautiful face. I slide under the covers, wrapping an arm around her smaller frame, and all Diana does is lean back against my chest, still sound asleep.
One thing she can never deny is that my scentdoessoothe her.
It’s that piece of fate I cling to, letting it comfort any concern I have that I’m royally fucking up by letting an omega into my heart. Especially as her honeysuckle scent calms my body, allowingmeto sleep.
DIANA
Wakingup is like coming off a drug, and for a moment, I don’t recognize anything. Am I at the Enclave?Home? It’s so quiet, though. My brother was always so loud…
