Page 22 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)

Astra sits up a little and curls one of his legs beneath him before meeting my eyes.

The sparkle in those green depths remind me of a time when I used to think I’d have a wonderful family of mine and children running around that called me Dad.

“Babe, look at me. Biology doesn’t work the way we want it to.

And mates are a funny way of saying that fate has plans.

It’s not always about the physical stuff and I can tell you that the connection starts happening the moment you accept each other.

Which by the looks of it? Has already started.

” He gives me a softer smile before raising his hand to one of the waiters for another glass.

Mates.

I’m tempted to look over at Forrest again but I refrain, continued to stay curled up just like this until the waiter approaches Astra.

He takes a glass and then gestures to me, the waiter taking a step closer to offer the tray.

I shake my head politely, not wanting alcohol on top of everything else overwhelming my system.

“It’s from the top shelf, Mr. King.”

Discomfort swirls around in my gut as I just shake my head again. “No, thank you. I don’t really drink.”

But the waiter doesn't back off. Instead, he leans in closer, his acrid scent assaulting my senses. "Come on, just one drink. It'll help you relax."

"He doesn't want any," Astra says firmly, his earlier playfulness disappeared.

"I'm just doing my job," the waiter snaps back. His nostrils flair in defiance, the Beta’s lip snarling up. "Back off." He then turns back to me and reaches forward, his fingers inches from touching my arm.

The hostility in his voice drags a small sound of distress from me, my body automatically curling in on itself. And sure enough, like Astra predicted, Forrest is suddenly there.

He moves so fast I don't even see him cross the room. His hand closes around the waiter's wrist and snaps it backward with a sickening crack. The waiter cries out in pain, Caelan swooping in to pull the man away before Forrest can do more damage.

I make another sound, this one closer to a whimper, and the word tumbles from my lips before I can stop it. "Red." A tear runs down my cheek as I wrap my arms around my knees and bury my face in my lap. I should have never thought I could do this.

Strong arms wrap around me and tug me into a firm chest, Forrest’s scent so much stronger now that he’s holding me.

I just stuff my face into his neck as he carries me away from the couch, silence meeting my ears as the lights dim until it’s just darkness surrounding me.

Forrest doesn’t stop moving until I hear a door close, my Valla sitting back into a chair before pulling me tighter against him.

Panic surges through me, Forrest slowly twisting me around until I’m sitting between his thighs, my back against his chest. His large hands splay across my chest, covering what feels like my entire torso, his lips moving to my ear seconds later. “Breathe, little dove. Breathe.”

I should feel trapped like this but the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat against my back and his thighs on either side of mine feel good.

Really good. My panic starts ebbing away the moment his purr rumbles to life beneath me.

We sit there in silence, just breathing together, my racing heart gradually slowing to match his steady rhythm.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper once I can form words again.

"I'm not. He should have never fucking tried to touch you." Forrest tells me, his lips attaching to the side of my head. "Do you want to go home?"

I do. I want to crawl back up into the nest and sleep attached to Forrest’s side, but I can’t be selfish. “You still need to work. I can..."

He purrs against my skin, his lips traveling down to my neck. "You do not need to be tough all the time, Sterling. You are my priority. Everyone out there can wait. What would you like to do?"

The question makes tears spring to my eyes. When was the last time someone asked what I wanted and actually meant it? When was the last time my comfort mattered more than someone else's convenience?

"I want to go back home to that nest," I admit, my voice breaking slightly. "Please."

"Give me five minutes. Can you be a good boy and wait five minutes, and then I'll have someone get you home safely, okay?"

The praise makes warmth bloom in my chest despite my distress.

"When will you be coming home?" I want to go home, but not without my Valla. Astra was right. I do want him. I need him. And some part of me hates that because I firmly believe that he’ll just disappear from my side the moment I get attached.

"Within the hour, I hope." Forrest shifts slightly so he can see my face. "I just need to handle a few things and also make sure that the waiter understands he's never to approach you again, and then I'll be right behind you."

I probably should ask more questions, but I don’t think I’ll like the answers. So, I just nod, allowing Forrest to continue holding me and scenting me until the panic completely dissipates.