I nod slowly, letting it sink in. I understand more than I want to. If the situation were reversed, I’m not sure I would’ve handled it any better. That doesn’t erase the hurt, but it softens the edges.
I must go quiet for too long, because suddenly Aksel is moving. When I look down, he’s on his knees in front of me, head bowed, hands resting on his thighs like he’s bracing for impact.
“I know I don’t deserve forgiveness yet,” he says quietly. “But please let me earn it. I’ll do anything to get us back to wherewe were.”
My breath catches. The sight of him like this, determined, humbled, and devastatingly sincere, hits me harder than I expect. I should drag this out a little. Let him sweat. Feed my pettiness.
But he looks wrecked. And gods help me, I’m not as angry as I want to be.
“Oh, come on, Hale,” Eric shouts through the door. “Forgive the poor bastard already!”
I burst out laughing, the sound surprising even me, and I rest my hand on the crown of Aksel’s head. He looks up with a shy, almost disbelieving smile before his arms slide aroundmywaist.Hepresseshisfaceintomystomach, shoulders trembling as the last of the tension bleeds out of him.
“I forgive you,” I say quietly. Then, firmer, because he needs to hear it. “But if you ever do anything like this again, we’re done. I don’t care if you’re my husband. I will walk away without a single regret. Understand?”
He stills,listening.
“Just because I’m an omega doesn’t mean I’m weak,” I continue, voice steady now. “I can stand on my own. I don’t need you. Ichooseyou. Because I love you.”
I freeze. Oh.
I love him?
When the hell did that happen?
Aksel lets out a shaky breath, like he’s been holding it for days. His arms tighten around me as he murmurs thank you and I love you over and over, the words barely audible, like he’s afraid I’ll run if he says it too loud. My eyes burn. My chest feels too full.
He loves me too. We can do this.
Holy shit.
A loud bang on the door shatters the moment.
“Did you forgive him?” Eric yells. “Are you making up? Do I need to leave? I bet he’s kinky. I need to get laid. I’ll see you later!”
I groan. Aksel laughs, the sound warm and real. “Your friend is… a lot,” he says.
“Yeah,” I admit, smiling. “But he’s the best.”
“He did tell you to forgive me,” Aksel adds thoughtfully. “I should probably thank him.”
“If we’re being honest,” I say, tilting my head, “I forgave you yesterday. You were in a shitty position. I just… really enjoy a man groveling.”
His smile turns dangerous. “I’ll grovel for you any day, Fylgja. Say the word, and I’m on my knees.”
My breath stutters. “I like the sound of that.”
A low growl rumbles from his chest as he presses a kiss to my shirt-covered stomach, reverent and possessive all at once.
“Does my little omega want more groveling from his alpha?”
I nod aggressively, the need for his mouth on me overwhelming. The low rumble of his answer sends slick spilling from my hole, my cock thickening and throbbing painfully. My fingers thread through his soft blond hair, tightening into a fist as he works my jeans open and drags them down my legs.
“Commando?” he murmurs.
“I was hoping this was how you apologized,” I joke breathlessly.
His laugh is deep, soaked in heat. “What my omega wants, my omega gets.”
