“Did you get a good look at the inside at least?” Gage asks. “At how many others might be—”
“Not really, but I saw at least ten or so cells on my way back from—” He swallows harshly, his gaze finding Olly’s.
“I just saw about ten or so cells.” He clears his throat. Gage opens his mouth to press, but Olly speaks first.
“I think you should probably get some rest.”
Emmet nods, his gaze fixed on Olly. “You’re probably right.”
“Need our help, Em?” Diego asks. “I can walk you to your room, if you’d like.”
“No, thanks. I think I’ll make it.” Emmett kisses the side of my head, whispering in my ear. “But you can come.”
I grin, nodding as I get up. “I’d like that.”
No one says a word as Emmett gets up. I don’t miss the grimace on his face as he does so, but he doesn’t whine or whimper again. Instead, he grabs me by the hand and leads me out of the kitchen into the hallway.
The walk from the kitchen to the quarters isn’t long, but it feels like an eternity.
Finally, we get to the hallway, and he looks as if he’s going to leave me be, looking at his room, then back at me with sadness.
“Don’t even think about it,” I say, tugging him closer.
“Huh?”
“You’re coming with me.” I say the words solidly, with more command than I’ve ever felt in my life. I pull him into my room—into my nest—
“Auryn, I—”
The minute he lies down, his shoulders loosen, and I pull him close. I bury my face in his neck as I pull the blankets around us, creating a cocoon of warmth.
“Don’t you ever fucking do that to me again,” I whisper angrily against his neck. He sighs as he pulls me against him.
“Baby—”
“Promise me you willneverleave without my permission again.”
The words feel strange on my tongue. Emmett is an alpha—well mostly an alpha, I guess right now he’s fielding some omega chemicals, but he’s still my alpha—I should not be bossing him around.
But I also remember, not that long ago, how he said he liked that. Me being bossy. Taking charge of him. Fighting with him.
So that’s what I hold onto for the moment. What I know.
“I promise,” he says, grasping my chin with his hand. He tilts my head up so I’m gazing up at him, and there is a moment of silence that speaks volumes. The way he looks at me is like the way I imagine every omega wants to be looked at.
His lips find mine without any hesitation. I fall into his kiss easily.
And all at once, it’s like he never left.
Like he never left this hole that’s been filled so quickly. I kiss him back, sliding my hand over his neck. I pull him against me, and he winces, groaning in pain.
“Auryn, I—” He breaks away from me, turning away from my gaze.
I want to ask the question I don’t want the answer to. Because on some deep level…I know the answer. And if I don’t ask, I won’t know. I won’t feel the pain he does.
But I need to know. I need to know what they did to him so I can rip their fucking hearts out. Tear their bodies to fucking shreds.
But I can’t bring myself to ask. Instead, I grab his face, turn it towards me, and hold it still.
