Shit, I don’t know how to comfort someone. I know how to throw my body between them and a fist. How to draw attention to me so they can run away. I know how to make myself a target while they hide. But comfort? I don’t know fuck all about that.
“You’re blaming yourself for something you had no control over. No matter how many ways you try to rewrite it, the past is fixed. Survival wasn’t possible, no matter what you did. Nomatter when help arrived. He knew the risks when he saved you, and I don’t think you should take that away from him just because you don’t think you were worth it.”
There. That’s…nice?
He’s quiet. Staring up at the ceiling, not moving. Shit, maybe it wasn’t nice? Should I pet his head? Alphas like that shit, right? Fuck if I know. No one's ever been dumb enough to get that close to my ears.
I reach up slowly, so he knows I’m not panicking and about to stab him. Well, I’m panicking, but he doesn’t deserve to be stabbed for it. Gently gripping his earlobe, I stroke in soft circles. The way he sucks in a ragged breath, eyes falling shut once more, makes me think I guessed right.
Gonna have to see if Omegas like this too. Maybe Dream will return the favor?
“If I could, I would kill that Alpha for you all over again. Slowly. I hate the pain you had to endure,” I murmur, dropping my hand when he tilts his head toward me.
My breath catches in my throat as we look at each other. The feeling that makes my head spin as my heart pounds surprises me. Without my permission, my eyes drop to his lips. Full, plump,biteable.
Holy shit.Do I want to kiss Hawthorne?
This time the panic grips me by the throat, and I react before I can think. Grabbing the dagger out of its hiding spot at my waist, I strike, aiming for his thigh. Thor catches my wrist, stopping me before I can make contact. My heart pounds harder as horror washes through me. I wince.
He just told me his father died from a stab wound, and I just tried to fucking stab him?
“You have curious impulses.” Thor chuckles. “Not sure if you want to kiss me or stab me, huh?”
“I think I decided.” I gulp, grateful he doesn’t seem to be offended or angered by my most hairpin-trigger response to panic.
“I don’t think you did. I think you acted first and thought second. You know what else?” He leans forward, using his grip on my wrist to keep me still. “I think if you actually wanted to stab me, you wouldn’t keep missing.” His smirk is lethal, his dominance feeling more like an embrace than a threat. “You’re like a feral kitten, hissing so I know you’ll pull out your claws if I keep pushing.”
“A kitten!” I scoff, glaring at him in outrage.
“Big bad Alpha kitten. All hiss, no scratch.” Thor fucking purrs, pulling his lip between his teeth. “I don’t mind the claws. You can use them on me anytime, Apollo.”
“Everyone says I’m dangerous, violent. A threat. What does that say about your desire to see my claws, Hawthorne?” I growl, tugging my wrist until he releases me.
“Exactly what I said earlier. We both have scars. You just wear yours for everyone to see so they never get close enough to dig too deep. To see past the scars to the man underneath.”
My body trembles from the shivers his words send through my system.
“So you’re attracted to my scars.” Damn him, his black hair, and his massive muscles I want to drag my nails across.He put that thought there…fuck.
“Nope. I’m attracted to the Alpha I know can purr for me if I just stroke him right.”
Every assumption I made about this stoic, controlled Alpha seems to be only half true. He’s not emotionless; he’s just so good at controlling his desire that I didn’t see it until he was ready to show me.
Dream is going to eat him right the fuck up. Beau is going to roll over and show him his belly.
And I’m going to try really hard not to stab him. Too much.
“Of course, he’ll have to realize I can see past his scars to the man he really is first. The Alpha that Beau and Dream trust completely. We’ve all got scars; some are hidden, and some are a shield. Or a weapon.” The slow way he leans in, giving me time to escape, is sweet. But the kiss he presses to my forehead, so gently, heats my skin in a new way.
Why the fuck do I want to roll over and show him my belly? An Alpha!?
There’s witchcraft in his lips. It's the only explanation.
“Just don’t let yours stop you from finding happiness now that you’re safe to heal. Because you are safe now, Apollo. We’ll make sure of it.”
“Witch,” I whisper, eyes wide as he stands, smirking down at me.
“Thank you. What you said about my Dad? I needed that.” As he heads for the door, giving me his back.
