I loved to swim, and this was certainly one of my favorite places to do that, but I also had other reasons for this quick dip. I wanted another look at the sea life here so I could adjust the walls of the nursery at home. I didn’t have any turtles, and they needed to be added for certain. There were some different fish this time as well, so those were going to be new additions also.
I didn’t stay long, because I had an adorable One on the beach waiting for me, and in all honesty, I didn’t like to be too far away from him. Sure, there was no danger here on the island, but I wanted to lay out on the beach with my One. I wanted to stare at all of the creamy skin on display, and if I was really lucky, I’d get to take him into the cottage, and we could make love most of the afternoon before we had to return to Treasure Ridge and get ready for work tomorrow.
I gave the fish and other sea creatures one last look before I swam back to the shore. It wasn’t far, and in under a minute, I was walking out of the water and toward Camden, who was still on the beach blanket. I used magic to clean the salt water from my skin and hair, and as I approached my One, he didn’t move. I peeked in on him through our bond and smiled. He’d fallen asleep. That was fine with me. I could provide a pillow and some lightweight pants for both of us, and we could have a little nap on the beach blanket under the umbrella.
Camden was more tired than I realized because he didn’t stir even a little when I used magic to move his body to place theflat pillow under his head and neck and to put the thin, cotton pants on him. His pregnant belly was gorgeous, and I couldn’t help myself; I leaned down and gave it a quick kiss before I sat back and did as I’d said I would. I stared at my One and how absolutely stunning he was. It wasn’t just his looks either. Camden was a truly beautiful person, inside and out.
I was thankful for him and the life we were building together. He was more than just my forever love. He was a true partner in life. He was an amazing doctor and had brought so much to the clinic. The other omegas were quickly at ease with him, and none had any issues with Camden being in the room with me when we were going over appointments.
I stared at my One for another minute or two before I lay down beside him and turned my head his way. He was at complete peace, and I felt a bit guilty for not picking up on the fact that he was exhausted and needed to relax. I’d done what I could to make his life as easy as could be, but it was apparent that with as quickly and deeply as he’d fallen asleep, he was worn down.
Even though we were alone on the island, I still put a magical field around us that would keep anything with the intent to harm out and away from us. I didn’t know if I would doze off or not, but with Camden sleeping beside me, the warm, soft breeze, and soothing waves, anything was possible.
I lay there for a bit, thinking about how much my life had changed in such a short time. I’d spent the last few years taking care of others, smiling and watching as they and their mates celebrated the birth of their new babies. Then there were those that caused you to wake up in the middle of the night, wondering if you’d done all you could to help them. There was only so much I could do for some because their wounds weren’t just physical.
I reached out and placed a gentle hand on Camden’s rounded stomach. Would our son grow up to be a doctor like wewere? Would he want to do something different? An enforcer, perhaps? Or maybe he would decide he wanted to be an artist. Or a chef. The world was a possibility for him because we lived in one that provided security for those who knew it was there.
The little aura pushed out to me, and Camden rolled toward me slightly. I helped with another pillow behind his back and hip, and in reality, I should take him inside to the bedroom, where he could rest comfortably. I sat up and looked around. This place was beautiful, but it wasn’t mine. I would certainly claim an island such as this if I had the opportunity, but I’d not heard of any that were available.
Camden wiggled again, and that was enough for me. I used a little magic, and we went from lying on the beach blanket in the sand to the comfortable king-sized bed in the cottage. The wall was open, allowing for the breeze and sounds from outside to come in, but the surface was much more appropriate for a pregnant omega.
Camden sighed in his sleep but didn’t wake fully. He reached out, and when I moved my arm close, he seemed to relax. I couldn’t help wondering what was going on in his thoughts. I peeked in gently and found that he was no longer stressed about the nursery. Trying to decide what he wanted had been causing him worry.
I lay down beside him again, rolling toward my One so I could stare at him. I had his face memorized, but that didn’t mean I didn’t like to watch him. He was so peaceful in his sleep, but when he was awake, I’d noticed he often had a frown line or two on his forehead. I knew his mother caused him a lot of stress, and I was relieved that he was finally going to be able to talk to Garin about that soon. Would therapy help? Possibly. I was hopeful. I had seen the wonders it had done for several of the omegas and alphas that the council had pulled from various compounds.
Camden loved. He loved unconditionally and wholly, and that was in part why he was so conflicted. Elizabeth was his mother. He wassupposedto love her. Yet he knew she was toxic. She didn’t respect boundaries; she didn’t care that her sons had personal choices or lives that didn’t involve her. She had her mind set a long time ago that things were going to be a certain way, and nothing else was acceptable. And still, Camden loved her, even though she made him cry. She manipulated him when she didn’t get her way. And Albert wasn’t any better because he didn’t put a stop to his mate’s mental abuse.
We were far enough away that we were isolated enough that it didn’t matter if she drove all the way out to Montana or not. She couldn’t get to us. Not only that, but there was also no way I was going to allow either of Camden’s parents to cause harm going forward. I couldn’t stop what had already happened and the current aftermath, but I could and would change things going forward.
Camden smiled in his sleep, and when his lips parted, I reached out and gently touched the lower one. He was my One, and despite everything his parents had put him and his brothers through growing up, he was such an amazing man. I was so incredibly lucky that he’d been chosen for me. Our children, no matter how many we ended up having, were going to be loved unconditionally.
I felt myself relaxing more, and after I tossed up another protective shield at the open wall, I closed my eyes and relaxed. Immediately, my mind was flooded with images of Camden smiling at me or laughing at something I’d said. I fell asleep smiling, thinking about my One and how much I hoped our lives were everything he could ever want. He more than deserved it.
Chapter 16
Camden
“Just reach out through our bond, and I’ll come and get you. All right?”
“Absolutely,” I told Maxwell. Without any hesitation, he leaned down and gave me a kiss. We were in the waiting area of Dr. Bennett’s clinic, but I was here to see Dr. Braun, who was Castiel’s mate. I needed to discuss the torment that my mother had put me and my brothers through for so long and how to work through my feelings of guilt for being very low contact with her.
“We promise we’ll take very good care of him,” Henry said. I smiled at the older wolf shifter and couldn’t help but wonder if he and Owen would be good friends. They were a lot alike from what I’d been able to ascertain.
“I know you will,” Maxwell said with a warm smile. “I’m going to go back and see Drew since he’s due in two days, and he’s become frustrated that he’s not showing any signs of going into labor soon.”
“Poor Drew,” I said. I’d seen the cheetah shifter twice now with Maxwell, and he was so sweet. He was full of spunk though, which was probably a good thing. His mate was a warlock too.Hmm…there seemed to be quite a few of those around, now that I thought about it. “Let me know if you need me to come back,” I told him. It was my job to help at the clinic. I couldn’t do that if I was here at the other clinic.
“I will, but I’m pretty sure this is just a quick checkup. According to Sebastian, Drew’s omega line is still just slightly pink.”
“Oh, that poor young man,” Owen said.
“What poor young man?” Garin asked as he joined us. “What have I missed?” He looked directly at me. “Sorry I’m a bit behind. Otto is teething and being super fussy and was not interested in Castiel.”
I grinned up at the dragon shifter. “Apparently, your little guy. But they were talking about Drew.”
Maxwell leaned down and kissed me again. “I have to go, or I’ll be late. Reach out if you need me.” Maxwell handed me a tube of something and then disappeared.
“I should be used to that by now,” Garin said.
