He was also terrified this was a dream.
And below that, was a bottomless pit of tumultuous emotions I could barely make sense of.
“My omega,” he breathed out. Pure pain cut through my chest like a fissure. It was a physical thing that had to have broken my ribs right here and now with the depth of longing and grief that lingered under the surface.
The alpha was barely holding on. He was trying to fight through it, trying to be present for me, but I could feel everything else he couldn’t simply turn off now that he was holding me.
“Bite me, alpha,” I demanded.
I tilted my neck to the side and he struck without hesitation, teeth tearing at the flesh in a vicious bite that I knew was going to brand my flesh forever.
He soothed his tongue over it, a shudder rocking through me as his knot locked us in place.
The storm of emotions settled now that we were bonded. I whimpered as his knot pushed my body to its limits. He fucked me through it, fucking me in shallow thrusts as if he wanted our bodies to meld together into one.
He needed to know, like I did, that we were a part of each other now, that we’d always have this connection.
His alpha still rumbled as he held me. My body was exhausted between the raw pleasure and emotional depth that I was trying to adjust to.
It was almost too much to handle, my consciousness slipping away before I could utter a word.
I wasn’t sure how much time passed, but when I blinked open my eyes Nikolai was back to himself. Those gorgeous, hazel eyes were watching me, as if waiting for my reaction.
The bond told me everything he wasn’t putting into words. He was elated, still in shock, and definitely waiting for me to lose it.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go into a rut the moment I saw you. I didn’t even know if you’d actually be here,” he breathed out. My alpha was close to tears, and that was something I wasn’t sure I could handle. He was my strong protector, but now he was so broken.
“We’re fine,” I promised, voice husky and tired.
“Aries, I have so many questions,” he whispered, hand stroking up and down my back.
I smiled sadly and shook my head. “You don’t want those answers right now, Nik. Let this be enough,” I pleaded.
He let out a sigh and nuzzled into my cheek before sitting up so he could see me better.
“Tell me this is real.”
“It’s real,” I said. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I’ve been looking for you for a long fucking time,” he said in a broken whisper. That grief flared stronger, bringing tears to my eyes.
We’d both suffered so much that I pushed my own questions aside and simply clung to the alpha that I never thought I’d see again.
Chapter
Nineteen
Ronan
“Where the fuck is he taking her?” The man that had been holding her hand when I stepped out of the van screamed out at us. This beta was practically frothing at the mouth to protect her.
The sheriff had a hand on his shoulder, but I couldn’t help but stare at him, watching the way that he was losing his mind over this omega.
“She’s safe with him,” I finally said.
His attention snapped to me, eyes narrowing. The look of pure disgust on his face should probably have deterred me, but I couldn’t help the grin that took over instead.
“Who the fuck are you?” he spit out at me.
