Craig’s expression softened. “You look exhausted.”
He shifted to create a space for me, took the blanket in one hand, and opened his arms.
My feet were rooted to the floor. Every instinct wanted me to go to him, while my brain kept screaming that it was a trap.
His arms faltered, and he started to lower them.
Russy nosed my hand again.
Something deep inside recognized the gesture for what it was: an invitation, not a demand.
Instinct won. My feet carried me to him.
My alpha’s arms were safe. He would hold me.
I settled into the V between his legs, face pressed to his chest.
Craig’s arms wrapped around me, draping the blanket over both of us. He leaned in and ran his nose through my hair. One hand was firm against my waist, the other rubbed small circles on my back.
The pounding of my heart started to slow, then the tension started to leave my muscles. He held me… silent… supportive… until I finally—fully—slumped against him.
Craig kissed my hair. “Feel better?” he murmured.
I nodded into his chest.
“Good.”
The hand rubbing circles paused, but the one around my waist tightened. “Randy, I’m going to be honest. I’m still angry.”
I stiffened and squirmed.
He held me tight and kissed my hair again. “Shh,” he soothed. “Just listen.”
My heart started pounding again.
“Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh,” he tried. “You’re ok. I’m here, I’m not going anywhere. But I need you to understand my side.”
I curled my fingers into his shirt and forced my heartbeat back under control.
“That’s it,” he murmured after several seconds. “See? You’re good.”
He waited for several more seconds, then nuzzled my hair.
“I understand you have a bad past,” he started. “There were clues even before you allowed me to start courting you. And I’m sure you guessed that Jessie talked to me about it the day I met her.”
I took a breath, then nodded into his chest.
“Beautiful Randy,” he said softly. “I’m ok going at your pace. I want you to not just feel safe, but know that you’re safe. I don’t want you, even for a minute, questioning my feelings toward you.”
He took a deep breath.
“I get that you don’t want to talk about the past. I’m ok with that. But there are times when I need you to meet me halfway. If you never talk about it, then I don’t know what’s off-limits.”
“I…” I started.
“Shhh,” he said, kissing my hair again. “In a minute. I need to get it out, then we can talk.”
I let out a long breath and nodded.
