One movement allowed me to lift her up, legs wrapping around me on instinct as I walked to the other side of the apartment and her nest. To my surprise, one of the hoodies I’d been looking for was tucked behind a pillow. And a pair of pants.
I couldn’t stop my smile. Trinity had been sneaking our clothes in here. Note to self: check the nest if you’re missing clothes.
I turned and sat so she draped over me, and wrapped us both in the closest blanket. “Better?”
Trinity’s lips pressed together so hard they went pale. Her scent was bitter and dark. So no, it wasn’t better, but the look on her face told me she was trying.
“Come here.” I pulled her down so her head was on my chest and began to purr. My fingers ran through her hair the way they always seemed to. I couldn’t stop. The strands were so fucking soft I always wanted my hand in them somehow.
And the way Trinity leaned into my hand like a fucking cat in the sun helped.
Slowly, her body relaxed into the puddle I knew it could be. Her scent softened too. She snuggled down further into the blanket and against me, finally allowing her instincts to take over.
Thiswas how I would fall asleep. Tangled with my Omega. Never should have tried anything else.
I wanted to ask her the question again, but it hadn’t disappeared. The words floated in the air. Neither of us had forgotten.
Finally, I felt her fingers grip the sides of my shirt. Grounding. “I’m scared that one of my reactions will be too far,” she whispered. “And you’ll realize it’s not worth it. I’m not worth it.”
It took everything I had not to react immediately. I kept purring, kept the slow, smooth rhythm of my hand in her hair, kept her close to me.
That would never happen. Trinity was my Omega. Mine. Not a hypothetical or a desire. It was the only reality. But she couldn’t feel it the way we could. Not yet, at least, so nothing I could say would be enough to convince her, and rushing to dismiss the fear would only make her feel like it wasn’t valid.
We needed to get her more things for the nest. Because when her heat hit and she could finally feel the scent match? We were all going to explode.
It wasn’t only biology that made me sure of her. She was beautiful and kind. Smart. Interesting. Passionate. Biology drew me to her, and everything made me fall in love with her. It was time I told her that. I’d waited far too long to say the words.
I moved her higher on my body so her face was tucked into my neck. Her face was damp from her quiet, drying tears. “I love you.”
Her soft gasp worked its way into the little spot in my heart that was only for her. Could she not have known?
“I love you,” I said again, stroking her hair. “No strings. No expectations. Just you. Okay?”
It took her a long time to speak. “Okay.”
Slowly, I shifted us so we were on our sides and I could see her face. “I’m pretty sure we got that mug at a garage sale.”
A choked laugh came out of her. “Really?”
“I think so. For like fifty cents.”
She laughed, and I smiled. It was what I wanted. To bring her back. To have her stay rooted in this moment with me.
“There is nothingin this world that is more important than a person,” I said. “No possession more important thanyou.”
Her gaze slid away. “It’s easy to hear. Not always to remember.”
“I know.”
She pulled away. “You have your fight tomorrow. You should rest.”
“I’m resting just fine right here.”
“Are you sure?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to tie you down?”
A blush painted her cheeks and that sweetest scent of violets swirled around us. “No.”
