“Can I come in?” he asked.
I was too dazed to stand, or even answer. Gods, I was pathetic. What happened to the confident polar bear who’d sworn to kill the dragons? Instead, I’d crumbled at the first sign of uncertainty.
After a long silence, Saffron sighed. “Listen, I really don’t want to barge in, but I need to know you’re okay. If you don’t open the door, I’m gonna use the override key card.”
My chest tightened.
He followed me just to ensure my safety?
My body moved on its own. I rose unsteadily, then pulled the door open.
Saffron’s eyes flashed with relief when he met my gaze.
Stop that,I thought desperately.Stop looking so damned happy to see me.
“Thank you,” Saffron said, then stepped inside. “Rorik, I—holy fuck, it’s cold in here. How are you shirtless right now?”
The dragon was in my room.
Alone.
This was the perfect opportunity to kill him.
So why couldn’t I? Why washappinessthe only thing I felt?
“I... prefer the cold,” I said, slumping on the edge of the bed.
“I can see that,” Saffron mumbled, rubbing his arms. In a gentler voice, he said, “What happened back there, Rorik? You really worried me.”
The way he spoke my name reminded me of the morning sun’s reflection off ice. Bright. Warm. A good omen.
But it came from the mouth of a dragon—a creature so heinous and despicable that I should’ve been poised to strike. To kill.
And I couldn’t do it.
“Rorik?” Saffron prompted. “Come on, talk to me. Please.”
Worry dripped from his voice. An alpha dragon plagued with concern for an omega? It sounded like a joke.
But if Saffron was an excellent liar, then I was a fool who fell for his tricks.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’ve never been so… dysfunctional.”
The words spilled out. I couldn’t muster the pride to hold them back. If I was destined to be a weak, emotional omega in this moment, then so be it. Let the dragon hear my pitiful feelings. At least if he snapped and killed me now, nobody else would witness my failure.
Dammit. I almost wish hewouldkill me,I thought miserably.At least then I wouldn’t be so confused...
Saffron stepped closer to me. “You’re not dysfunctional. You’re upset. Tell me why.”
Authority laced his tone, but it wasn’t domineering or oppressive. He was so different from the alphas back home. Try as I might, I could not understand him.
What was his goal? What was his reason for following me, talking to me, protecting me? Why did he invite me into his home and allow me to play with his nieces? Why did he trust me when I was sent here to murder him?
Compelled, I glanced up at Saffron. From my position on the bed, he finally stood taller than me. His legs were spread in a confident stance, and his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were tiny yellow flames, warm and inviting.
Another shiver shot down my spine. I forced myself to look away.
“It’s impossible to explain,” I mumbled.
