The night was dark and cold, the winter still in full force, but the snow was gone, leaving it safer to ride on the uneven country roads. Small mercies. I wore a long coat with a hood for warmth, the inside lined with soft fur. I had my riding boots on and no crown. I wasn’t the king at this moment. I was a pregnant omega who needed his alpha.
Adrian had waved goodbye before putting out the lamps outside the stables, making my escape easier in the dark. I wasglad my horse could navigate through the darkness, because all I saw were shadows wherever I looked. I knew the direction to go in, and I trusted I would somehow find my way.
We broke through the trees, and then the moonlight guided us forward. We flew through the night, the hooves the only sound to be heard as I closed in on my destination. The sky above soon turned dark again, hiding the moon from view as a storm gathered, drawing thunder with it and then showers of ice-cold rain. This was just my luck. I urged my horse to move faster. I couldn’t get sick. I had my babies to worry about.
Lights in the distance guided us through the pelting rain, and there, a small town was nestled together. I prayed it was Savilla. I truly couldn’t recognize anything in the dark rain.
A tavern came into view, its lights shining brightly through the torrents of rain. Booming laughter and cheery music sifted through the door. I urged my horse to stop outside, waiting for the first guest to leave the tavern, but why would they with the weather carrying on like this? I didn’t have to wait long, though, before a hooded figure appeared, rushing toward the promise of heat the tavern held inside.
“Excuse me!” I called, staying seated on my horse.
“Yes?” he replied with clear annoyance. I guess he didn’t enjoy the rain much.
“Do you know where the alpha Gus lives?” I enquired politely.
The man scoffed. “That fool? He’s got a cabin near the Wild Willow Farm.”
“Can you point me in that direction, please?” I tried to keep my voice as neutral as possible, but inside I was seething with anger.Fool? Really?
He pointed to the left, then hurried inside before I could ask him about the distance. Never mind, I had an alpha to find. I rode in the direction I was told, never steering off until I spotted a large farm coming into view. I knew Gus’ cabin would be closeby, so I turned down a road near the farm, hoping I would find it myself. I truly didn’t want to bother whoever lived inside the farmhouse.
A small cabin lay nestled between a few trees, and my heartbeat sped up in anticipation. I blinked through the rain, my trusted horse still running with all it had toward Gus.
“Gus!” I yelled. “Gus!” My voice broke, and I feared it was drowned in the rain. “Please,” I sobbed, looking to the sky. Where were the gods when I needed them? Was I even at the right place?
“Gus!” I called again, my throat aching as I clasped my stomach, slowly losing faith. My poor babies. Was it all in vain?
Then, just as I was about to turn my horse around, the cabin door flew open, slamming against the wall with a bang that echoed through the night. And there he was.
My Gus.
Chapter 22
Gus
Seb’s hot breath ghosted along my chin as he giggled against my ear. ‘Don’t let the killer bees catch you,’ he teased, and I grunted my reply, ‘Such a naughty little king,’ then pinched his butt. Seb squealed, then laughed, his voice lofty and joyous as the wind carried it away over the crowns of the trees. I tried to catch up with him as he ran across a poppy field, but he was too fast. ‘Seb! Wait for me!’ I yelled out, and he turned around briefly, smiling at me, then he stuck out his tongue teasingly, turned on his heel, and started running again. ‘You little devil,’ I mumbled, then took after him. I couldn’t see him anymore. The field seemed to have swallowed him up. Hundreds of poppies stared back at me, but there was no sign of my love, just the faint echo of his voice. ‘Gus! Gus!’ ‘I’m here!’ I called back. ‘Wait for me!’ I ran faster, stomping down the poppies as I went. ‘Gus! Please!’ The teasing had left Seb’s voice, now replaced by a frantic edge. ‘I’m coming, my love,’ I yelled, but he didn’t seem to hear me as he continued to call my name. ‘Gus! Gus!’ It wasno longer a game. I heard the desperation in Seb’s voice, the pain.
Blinking my eyes open, I was confused at first. The world was so loud. Torrents of rain pounded down on the roof of the small cabin, and a sudden chill washed over me. I pulled the blanket up to my chin as I burrowed down into the soft mattress. The dream. It felt so real. The sound of Seb’s voice as he called out for me. Like he was standing just outside the door. I squeezed my eyes closed. It was just a dream, my mind’s way of tormenting me even in my sleep as it played cruel tricks on me.
“Gus! Please!” A faint voice wrapped around me. My eyes flew open. This was definitely not a dream. And it was definitely Seb’s voice. I jumped from the bed and quickly pulled on my shirt and overalls. Hal mumbled something in his sleep from across the small room, but he didn’t wake. I hurried toward the door and threw it open, ice-cold rain hitting me in the face as I recoiled. I squinted as I stared into the blurry darkness, and at first I couldn’t make out the individual details. Everything was just black. Then a horse neighed, and a small whimper followed.
“Seb? Seb, is that you?” I looked from side to side, but only all-consuming darkness stared back at me.
“Gus?!” His familiar voice broke through the rain, and my heart went berserk in my chest. Storming forward, I soon saw the outline of a horse.Melancholia.Oh, dear gods in heaven. A slumped-over figure nearly hung off the side of the horse, his precious face hidden by a drenched hood.
“Oh gods. Seb!” I rushed to his side, steadying him. “It’s really you, my love!” With what seemed to be every last bit of strength in his small body, Seb slid from the horse. His legs wobbled as he steadied himself against me, his eyes wide and dark, drops of rain clinging to his lashes.
“It’s me,” he whispered, then smiled weakly as he clasped my face with his cold hands. “And it’s you, my sweetest,loveliest Gus.” Hearing my name on his lips was too much. The realization that he was real and not a figment of my imagination was too much. My body seemed to cave in on itself as I dropped to my knees in front of him. Months of longing moved through my body as I shook with relief. Staring up at him through a curtain of tears, I took in his beloved face.
“You came, my king,” I croaked, my voice failing me. Burying my face against his large stomach, I breathed him in, and sunshine burst its way through the darkness. He was truly here—my sunlight, my heart.
“I did.” Seb’s voice trembled as he carded his fingers through my hair. “I’m here, my alpha. I’ve come for you.” I squeezed my eyes closed as I wrapped my arms around his familiar body underneath the soaking cloak.
“Tell me this is real,” I sobbed. “That you are not yet another dream.”
“I’m real. As real as our love, Gus.” I could hear the faint smile in his voice, and I relaxed against his warm belly.
“Thank the gods,” I sighed, and like an echo, a small foot kicked me square in my face. “Oh, he’s a lively one,” I laughed before pressing a kiss against Seb’s stomach.
