“I should have told you sooner. I only held back because I was afraid. But please believe me that I have never been so sure of anything as I am of my love for you.”
“You shouldn’t love me,” was the only thing she said before pushing off the vanity and starting the shower.
90
HENRY
CHEMO DAY 7
“You ready to go, gorgeous?”
Westin was sitting on the edge of the bed, her eyes unfocused. She didn’t give any sign that she’d heard me. I swallowed hard, unsure if I should get one of the other guys, but I didn’t want to leave her alone like this.
I sat down on the bed, putting an arm around her. She leaned into my shoulder and entwined her fingers with mine. She fit perfectly against me.
“Don’t make me go,” she whispered.
A lump rose in my throat. I kept asking myself why this was happening to her. My life had been so picturesque and sheltered. Westin deserved that.
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “No one will blame you if this is too much for you. You can stop anytime,” I said gently.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I need you to tell me I have to do this. I can’t handle it if it’s my choice.”
I closed my eyes as agony shot through my chest. I couldn’t tell her she had to do this, even if that’s what she wanted, soI said the only thing I could. “This is going to work.” I had to believe it because shedeservedit.
She didn’t say anything, and I felt the familiar claw of insecurity rise in me. I couldn’t purr for her, couldn’t comfort her with my scent like an alpha. I’d always wanted pack life, but I didn’t realize how inadequate I would feel with an omega as incredible as Westin. “Do you want me to get one of the others?”
“Why would I want that?” She lifted her head from my shoulder.
I shrugged. “They can purr for you. Maybe that will help you feel better.”
“You make me feel better just by being here,” she said, her voice hitching. “Don’t you know that?”
Now it was my turn to stay silent.
“Henry.” I closed my eyes, savoring the way she breathed my name. “I need you. Your calm, your softness. I crave being around you.”
The insecurity I didn’t even know I was harboring vanished with her words and I squeezed her closer. “I was thinking we should go to Greece when you’re better—all of us.”
“Really?” Her eyes lit up with excitement as she turned her face towards me.
I tucked her hair behind her ear. “Really. We’re going to have a wonderful life, darling. Just wait.”
91
BEAR
CHEMO DAY 8
Iheld the marijuana vape to Westin’s lips as she took another drag. It was the only thing that helped her pain and nausea, so she was vaping or taking edibles most of the time these days. My chest was tight at seeing her this weak—she could barely lift her head from my chest, and we weren’t even halfway through her treatment. She had to get through another two days before she got a break for the weekend.
Chemo was cruel.
I wanted to tell her to stop, that we would find some other way of handling this fucking tumor, but I knew it wasn’t my place. She wanted to try for a cure, and I would want the same in her place.
It would be worth it in the end.
It better be fucking worth it in the end.
