My fingers toyed with the ring on my finger. I debated replacing it with something new, still wearing my da’s since I used it that day to trick the Italians. Instead, I took comfort in something from the past, tying me to the present.
I trusted Torin to protect my wife, my omega. I intended him to keep her safe, but it seemed my sweet girl wanted something more from Torin. Something he was uniquely capable of giving her, if his demeanor was to be believed.
Blood. Revenge.
Torin never went into too much detail of his time in the Marines. However, he had been open when we first met, ensuring me he was uniquely qualified to make people disappear without anyone noticing.
“Are you asking permission or telling me?”
The steeliness in Torin’s features faltered for a second, struck by my words. Side-stepping my question, he continued, “She wants me to find the person who tortured Shadow, and extend them the same courtesy they showed the pup.”
A darkness hid beneath the surface of my gorgeous omega. Pride swelled in my chest at her protectiveness. If she rallied so fiercely for a rescue puppy, I imagined how intensely she would care for our children.
Images of her pregnant with my child filled my every thought, and I growled.
Torin mistook the reaction for anger, stumbling slightly.
“Boss. Apologies. If you would prefer I leave it, I’ll tell her I couldn’t find the guilty party.”
I waved a dismissive hand, standing. Color returned to Torin’s already pale cheeks when he dropped his shoulders from the pinched position by his ears.
“Do whatever Willow asks of you.”
Curiosity weaved into my thoughts, wondering why my omega asked Torin and not me. It didn’t take long for me to realize that what Willow had asked Torin probably stirred up too many emotions.
Guilt. Confusion. Grief.
Grief for the person she was versus who she has become.
A queen capable of ordering death and destruction.
It wasn’t only Torin. Any of my men were at her command. And the sooner she understood that, the stronger she would be.
Regardless, I was so fucking proud of her. But I wouldn’t force the issue. She would tell me about Torin and this request when she was ready. Until then, I would spoil her and keep her close.
Footsteps receded as Torin left. I pulled open the bottom drawer of my desk, taking out the wrapped box.
The size didn’t quite encompass the scope of the gift in my hands, but ever since I saw her curled up in that tiny kennel with Shadow, I knew exactly what to gift my wife. I shoved it into my pockets, unsurprised to find my omega dozing in her nest, snuggling with one of my dirty shirts.
Fuck. My dick hardened, and I willed it to go down.
Quietly, I padded into our bedroom, hiding her gift in my end table. Shadow kicked in her sleep, looking as peaceful as a hellhound. The menace decidedly claimed our bed as hers, too good for the overpriced dog one on the floor.
I rolled my eyes, hating how easily I was wrapped around a puppy’s paw. Someday, it wouldn’t only be a dog. I was already at the mercy of my omega, even if she didn’t realize it. And once we had a child, my daughter or son would own me just as much.
Careful not to wake Willow, I slipped into her nest, a quiet purr vibrating my ribs as I tucked her into my chest. Sweet, sleepy noises fell from her, and she unconsciously snuggled closer, burying her face in my neck.
I traced a spot over her pulse, the place where I’d make her mine with my mark.
Two days later, Torin told me it was done. It didn’t take him long to find who had hurt Shadow. Fucker boasted about it on social media, and Torin enjoyed making him scream for mercy.
I paid personally for the arsehole’s care, ensuring that he survived.
The rest of his life would be spent with crippling burns marring one side of his body.
With that knowledge from Torin, a weight lifted from Willow. A light twinkled in her eyes, different from what used to be there. Something glacial gleamed in her sapphire eyes, hardening her in a way that made me ache to fill her.
While eating breakfast, I tugged her onto my lap, moaning at the beautiful, carefree giggle that rang almost melodically around the room.
