“Oh, sweetheart,” I murmur. “You’ve had a hell of a day.”
She half laughs, half sobs at my clear understatement.
My hands twitch, and I offer up the only thing I have.
“Want a hug?”
I expect her to refuse, and she bites her lip. But then she’s leaning forward, and it feels completely fucking natural to pull her into my arms, wrapping them around her as she cries silent, body-shaking tears into my chest, soaking the cotton of my shirt.
“Shhh,” I soothe. “Let it all out.”
Rocking her gently, I hold onto her tightly, my hands not moving as she tucks her head underneath my chin. She’s a perfect fit against me, like two puzzle pieces with jagged edges slotting together.
The purr rumbles up from deep within my chest, unexpected and sudden. Gabrielle pauses, her tears tailing off.
“Sorry,” I whisper. “Didn’t expect that. You okay?”
She nods against me, and my eyes flick down to her face. She’s nestled against my chest, her cheek against my heart, her eyes closed as her breathing lowers to soft little huffs.
Tenderness, surprise and pure, alpha satisfaction hits me hard.
I hate that she’s hurting. It feels wrong, an itch under my skin. But having her in my arms, curled into me?
That feelsright.
ChapterSixteen
Gabrielle
Itake slow, deep breaths as Hudson rocks me carefully in his arms, solid steel bands encasing me that feel comforting rather than restricting.
His scent burrows into my nose, fresh and sweet, rosemary and basil giving off just a hint of spice. It suits him.
My face turns on instinct as I take a deeper breath, trying to pull it into my lungs. When he freezes, I realize what I’m doing, my nose pressed to the open v of his shirt as I pull it greedily from his skin.
Mortified, I clear my throat and pull away, offering him an awkward smile.
“Sorry,” I offer. “I, um, don’t normally do that.”
I wince at the awkward line, but Hudson just looks down at me, his smile lazy and soft with understanding.
“That makes both of us,” he admits. “I’ve never purred like that in my life.”
I stare up at him. “You haven’t?”
Why does that make me feel better?
His cheeks tint red. “Never spent much time around omegas,” he admits. “Guess we’re both on new ground.”
His admission makes sense. Most omegas voluntarily moved into the Omega Center after we were released from the Compound, often living there until they’re matched with packs. I’ve never met an omega aside from the strung out ones hanging down at the dungeon, and most of them are older, discarded by their packs.
“I guess so.”
Awkwardly, I pull myself away from him, getting to my feet. He does the same, and I bite my lip. My cheeks feel like they’re on fire.
“Thank you… for the hug.”
“Of course.” He hesitates as he turns to leave.
