“Once I was out of my cell, I tracked down the nearest alpha. He didn’t see me. I went to an empty room and pulled the cable from the TV. Then I sneaked up on him, pistol-whipped his head, and used the cable to strangle him. Same with the rest of the alphas I found.”
Crush nodded. “Because it’s quieter than a gunshot?”
Killian looked back at the alpha, holding his breath. “You’re not disgusted?”
Crush narrowed his eyes. “Bunny rabbit. How long did those slimeballs hold you against your will, and force you to kill other people?”
Killian sagged. “Three years.”
“You did what you had to, to get out of there. They were never going to let you go. If you had left them alive, they would’ve killed you the first chance they got.”
He understands.Relief loosened the icy grip around Killian’s insides. “After they were all down, I went back and shot them in the head. Just to make sure they were really dead. In hindsight, maybe I didn’t need to have my own gun; I could’ve stolen the first alpha’s. But I felt safer with it.”
“Do you need one right now? You can have mine, if it helps.”
Killian shook his head, his heart swelling. “I feel safe here. Anyway, I got the omegas out. We took all the alphas’ cash and weapons; those who could drive took the cars so they could drop off everyone else. I made sure everyone had money for food. Then I—” He breathed out the tightness in his chest. “I went home. And found out that my parents had already thrown out all my things. I hadn’t even been gone that long. I was seventeen.”
“Fuck,” Crush growled.
Killian pulled Crush’s arms more snugly around himself. “After all that time away, I had hoped that... maybe they would miss me. For so many years, I tried really hard to please them. I wanted to get good at something so I could gain their approval. And I finally did it! I got really good at shooting a gun. Killing people. I could track down alphas and take them out without them ever knowing I was there. But Mom and Dad just erased me from their lives like I never even existed.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
Killian swallowed hard. “Why do people have children if they don’t want them? Why is this still bothering me? It happened years ago!”
“Fuck. I don’t have an answer for you.” Crush hugged him tightly, so it was almost difficult to breathe. But those strong arms held Killian together. They helped him stay upright, and gave him a safe place to hide.
Suddenly thankful that he was facing away from Crush, Killian bowed his head, tears dripping down his cheeks. They splashed onto Crush’s arms.
Crush breathed in. Then he swore, carefully turning Killian around on his knot, so Killian was now facing him. Killian tucked his face away, reluctant to let Crush see him cry.
Instead of commenting on it, Crush gathered Killian back into his arms, tucking Killian’s head under his chin.
“Just because your parents don’t treasure you, doesn’t mean no one else does,” Crush murmured, stroking his hair.
“I know that,” Killian mumbled. “I have friends. It’s just... Parents are supposed to be the ones who love you the most, right? It feels like I’m defective somehow. Like I’m not enough to earn their love.”
“No,” Crush growled, hugging him again. “It’s not your fault that they can’t see how perfect you are. Look, here’s a suggestion: How about I share my parents with you?”
First his pack, and now his parents?
“Why would they want me?” Killian winced. “That sounded really pathetic.”
Crush muttered several choice words under his breath. “You deserve to have parents who care, bunny. Besides, you’re carrying their grandpup. Theyhaveto be nice to you.”
I’m carrying Crush’s baby.That still hadn’t sunken in. Killian gulped. “I guess that makes sense.”
Crush sighed and rubbed his back. “I know you don’t believe me yet. Just give me a chance to provide for you, alright? Let me show you that there are people who have plenty of love to spare.”
“Fine,” Killian said.
Crush’s expression softened. He brushed his fingers through Killian’s hair, working his scent through all the strands.
Then the alpha broke the comfortable silence between them.
“How would you like me to build your nest?”
13
