“A deed for fifty acres outside of the city.”
A cute furrow nestled between her brows. I rubbed the wrinkles away, kissing the spot before explaining.
“The permits for an animal rescue and sanctuary on that property have been approved. Construction will begin next week. You can be involved as much as you want. A beta from Georgia has agreed to relocate here to handle the running of the rescue. She has the knowledge and experience.”
“Kaelen,” she breathed, knocking a plate full of eggs to the floor as she scurried into my lap.
“Ooof,” I grumbled, surprised by something so tiny knocking the wind out of me.
My arms instinctively wrapped around her. Unshed tears glimmered in her eyes, and my alpha preened at how happy we made our omega. It wasn’t pain or grief in her gaze. It was pure joy. And I put it there. And I would for the rest of my life.
The sapphire on her ring was smooth under my fingers as I brushed it.
“Sorry,” she squeaked, eyeing the spilled food as a pretty blush colored her cheeks. “This is… It’s… I can’t believe it. This will help so many animals.”
All the blood in my body rushed south, and I hissed internally for my cock to relax. Now was not the time. No matter how Willow’s nipples tightened against that silky sleep top, or how her cute arse shimmied in my lap.
“Anythingyou want, is yours,” I murmured, kissing her temple.
An intoxicating cloud of honey, wildflowers, and fresh rain blossomed around us. I kissed my girl and she perfumed so prettily for me. She mewled, trying to crawl into my skin, and I traced the notches on her spine.
Finally, I think she understood what I was willing to do for her, and now, she was strong enough to accept it.
Twenty-Eight
KAELEN
An eerie calm hung around Willow as she stared in the mirror, smoothing her hands over invisible wrinkles in her sweater. The oversized cream-colored cable knit drooped off her shoulders, showing off the expanse of the collarbone I wanted to lick.
I stood behind her, catching her gaze in the reflection. My hands rested on her hips, and I murmured praises to soothe the nervous energy that she tried to hide.
“Such a stunning omega.” She blushed prettily, and I grinned into a spot on the underside of her face. “You have nothing to worry about tonight. Patrick is picking up your parents, and your mom is excited to see you.”
When I invited her parents to dinner, William had been less than thrilled. As expected, he prattled on about how his wife was too sick to leave. Based on what Willow told me, Isabelle struggled with fatigue, but always moved mountains to show up for herdaughter.
And when I leaked a story to the papers about the candidate for governor and his wife having a private dinner with their daughter and her new husband, he couldn’t refuse.
Unless he wanted bad press.
Her hair bounced as she nodded along, hands splaying over her legging-clad thighs. Quiet sighs made her chest heave. I reached over to the table, plucking the necklace I had gifted her weeks ago, and gently clasped it around her neck.
She fiddled with the glimmering sapphire.
“He will never hurt you again, mo chroí,” I said, my nostrils flaring.
“I know,” she said, covering my hand with hers. “You’ll keep me safe.”
The admission sent a tendril of heat coiling around my ribs and squeezing until it was hard to breathe. I spun her around, tipping her chin. Like the brave omega she was, she leaned in, brushing tentative lips along mine.
My hands fell to her arse, urging her closer. Her eyes crinkled, and the sweetest giggle grew between us.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” she echoed, stealing another kiss before slotting her hand in my much larger one.
The honeyed undertones in her wildflower scent intensified as we arrived in the dining room, and a raspy sound left my lips. She squeaked, hiding her face in my chest. I relished the quiet moment alone, dancing my fingers over her freckled skin.
A throat cleared nearby, and I palmed the back of Willow’s head.
