I yank back my magic, overwhelmed, tears springing to my eyes. I cross the few steps between us and wrap my arms around him, holding him tight.
He holds me so sweetly, so gently. Because he loves me. Marcus Haley is truly in love with me, down to his deepest thoughts.
I’m finishingmy breakfast when Douglas, Cassian’s doctor father, comes to me with a request. Jeanine “Jeanie” Haley, Marcus’ mother, wants to meet me. To ensure both her safety and that she gets the care she needs, she was moved to the Leclerc estate after the recent attack. Douglas personally sees to her care, for which I’m grateful, and I’m sure Marcus is even more so.
I hesitate. Surely, she’ll know everything that’s transpired between me and her son. They’ve been so good with each other lately, after barely speaking for years. She’ll know that things are up in the air between us. New. Like we’re stumbling toward each other in the dark.
“Is it safe?”
“You’ll need to wash your hands and wear a mask, but Jeanie is stronger than she’s been in years. I just don’t want to risk an infection when she’s doing so well.”
I nod my understanding. “I’ll meet her.”
Douglas leads me through the estate to a private wing, no doubt set up for her by Douglas and the pack. We stop at a sink, and scrub our hands, and I don the mask he gives me, stretching the bands behind my ears and adjusting the nose piece until my mouth and nose are covered.
He knocks at the door to Jeanie’s room, and she calls forus to come in. I find her sitting in a plush chair in a lavish, comfortable sitting room. She wears a pink chemo cap on her head and has a throw blanket over her lap. Though she looks small, engulfed in the chair, her spirits are high as she pushes to her feet, sets her blanket aside, and comes to shake my hand.
“Juniper, dear. I’ve heard so much about you!”
I swallow hard. “Good things, I hope.”
She smiles. “The best. Come sit with me.” She shoos Douglas out, leaving just the two of us. I watch as she gingerly sits back in the large, wing-backed chair and settles the blanket back on her lap before taking a seat across from her.
“I’m not even cold, but it’s an omega thing, you know? The blankets.”
I grin. I certainly know about that. Whenever I’m curled up, I’m wrapped in my pack’s clothing or a cozy, silky blanket. “Of course.”
Jeanie lightly drums her fingers on her knee. “I’m all for making idle chit-chat and getting to know each other, but I feel like I already know you, so I’d like to cut to the chase. My son.”
My eyes widen. I hadn’t guessed that the other omega would be so blunt. “I?—”
“That boy is desperately in love with you, dear. He has been for years. I know you’ve been through some strife together recently, but it hasn’t dulled his feelings for you whatsoever. Oh, he feels guilty as all get out, and saints know he should, but helovesyou. Deeply.”
I pause, digesting her words. If Marcus loves me so much, why hasn’t he made a move? He hasn’t even as much as kissed me. “Marcus has been… reticent, let’s say,” I admit.
“Oh, that boy. I raised him to be a proper gentleman. He’swaiting for you to be sure, Juniper. But make no mistake, he wants you and wants you to be his mate.”
“He does?” I ask in soft surprise. I saw it in his thoughts, but after two years of the strange intimacy we shared, it’s almost hard to believe that while I was developing what I thought were inappropriate thoughts about him, he was doing the same about me. Saints, we’ve waited so long.
“He absolutely does. But he’ll go at your pace, so if you’re waiting for him to make a move, you’ll be disappointed.”
“Kinda wanted to be swept off my feet,” I tease in a fake grumble.
“Oh, given the chance, he’ll do just that, if he knows you want him to.”
“I do,” I say quietly. “I really do.”
“Then you let him know where your heart lies.”
With him. My heart lies with him.
I findMarcus in the library, reading a book from Pack Leclerc’s collection, another mystery by the looks of it, the cover tattered and well loved. I watch him from the door for a moment; he’s so engrossed in his book that he doesn’t notice my approach. For someone always on alert to keep me safe, it’s nice to see him so relaxed. I feel like I’m seeing a side of him that few people see, and it feels like the greatest blessing.
I rap at the door, and he looks up sharply. He sets the book aside and comes to me immediately.
“What is it? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine,” I assure him. “I was hoping you’d come somewhere with me?” I’m suddenly shy around him, afraid of a rejection that never comes.
