Page 49 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)

Wilson looks like he hates the idea of waiting, but the prospect of being the main event clearly appeals to his ego. "When's the last fight scheduled?"

"Nine PM," I tell him, already planning exactly how this is going to unfold. "Don't be late."

"Just be ready to have your subjects watch their king fall in front of their eyes," Wilson sneers, his confidence returning now that he has something concrete to focus on. "I don't play nice in the ring."

"I'm counting on it," I reply honestly, then watch as he stalks off toward the exit.

The moment Wilson is out of earshot, Caelan stands up and joins me. "You know you're fucked, right? Wilson is going to play dirty as hell, use every illegal move and underhanded tactic he can think of."

"I'm counting on that too," I say, already moving toward the stairs.

"I told Sterling once that a ring like this doesn't help people like Wilson.

They'll cheat and do whatever they want to get ahead because they don't respect rules or boundaries.

I'm going to make a very public example out of him and show everyone what happens when you threaten my family.

" I pause at the base of the stairs, meeting Caelan's eyes directly. "And then I'm going to kill him."

Caelan's expression shifts to concern. "Hold on, what about Sterling telling you not to kill anyone? You promised him you wouldn't cross that line."

I grin, though there's no humor in it. "I'm hoping he'll change his mind after tonight. But right now, I need to make sure he's okay. Something is seriously wrong beyond just seeing Wilson."

I rush up the stairs, taking them two at a time. When I reach the viewing box, I see Bryn holding Astra by the bar, the Omega looking toward the small private room like he wants to help but doesn't know if he should interfere.

I don't even ask questions, just head straight for the room.

Inside, I find Sterling curled up in the corner, crying and repeating the word "red" over and over again like it's the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.

I sit down on the floor a few feet away from him, giving him space but making my presence known.

Sterling looks up at the sound of my movement, tears streaming down his cheeks in a way that breaks my heart.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, trying to bury the rage from earlier. "I'm going to take care of Wilson, okay? He won't get anywhere near you. You're safe here."

Sterling blubbers something completely unintelligible, his words lost in sobs and hyperventilation. I tilt my head to the side, trying to understand, and he forces himself to repeat it more clearly.

"Will you still want me?"

I tense, confused about what’s changed in the last hour or two. "Where is this coming from, little dove? Of course, I want you! That's never going to change, no matter what."

Sterling's face crumples with fresh tears. "I think I might be pregnant. We didn't use protection during my heat, and I’m not on anything. I... I'm so sorry. And now Wilson is here causing problems, and I'm bringing all this danger to your doorstep, and I'm so, so sorry."

Understanding crashes over me as pieces click into place. The honey sweetness in his scent, Caelan's cryptic comments about talking to Sterling, the heightened emotions through our bond. Sterling thinks he's pregnant and is terrified I'm going to reject him for it.

"How do you know?" I ask, keeping my voice carefully neutral while I process this information.

"Astra explained about scent changes after heats," Sterling says between sobs. "And then I saw Wilson and everything just... you're not mad at me?"

I hold out my arms, shaking my head firmly to dispel any notion that I could be angry about this. "Come here, little dove."

Sterling stares at me for a long moment, like he's trying to determine if this is a trick or a trap. Then slowly, he crawls across the space between us and straddles my hips, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in my neck.

"You're mine, remember?" I murmur against his hair, holding him close and letting my scent surround him.

"Nothing changes that. Not pregnancy, not Wilson, not anything in this world.

" Sterling sags against me with relief as I press my lips to his head.

"I'm going absolutely nowhere, little dove.

And the little bundle you might be bringing into our life is going to be fucking fantastic.

I'm going to love them fiercely, just like I love you. "

"But what about Wilson?" Sterling asks, his voice muffled against my shoulder. "I saw him down there and I just... I can't handle him being so close."

"He challenged me to meet him in the ring," I explain, feeling Sterling tense against me immediately. "It's going to be the final fight of the evening."

"I don't want you to get hurt," Sterling says, pulling back to look at me with fear clear in his expression.

"I won't," I promise him. "I have people to fight for now. Multiple someones, apparently." I run my hand over his still-flat stomach, wonder filling me at the possibility of life growing there.

"You're really not mad?" Sterling asks again, like he can't quite believe my acceptance.

"Why would I be?" I counter, cupping his face gently. "Two people participated in creating this possibility, and if our child is going to be anything like you, I'm going to be tempted to fill you up all over again just to have more."

Sterling pulls away, blushing furiously. "But I'm broken. Damaged. How can I be a good parent when I don't know what that looks like?"

"Sweetheart, you're not broken," I say, making sure he's looking at me and hearing every word. "People just tried to dull your shine, to convince you that you were less than you are. But you're perfect, and you're going to be an amazing parent."

I pull him into a passionate kiss, pouring all my love and acceptance through the bond and the physical contact.

When we finally break apart, I try to keep my tone level despite the serious direction the conversation is about to take.

"I don't have to meet Wilson until nine PM," I tell him, checking my watch and seeing we have hours.

"Do you want to watch the other fights from the box, or would you rather stay in here away from everything? "

Sterling stares at the door, clearly torn between wanting to be brave and needing safety. "Can you just hold me? I know you have to go down there eventually, but I just... I need you right here, right now."

"Then that's exactly where I'll be," I promise, adjusting our position so we're both more comfortable on the floor of the small room. "For as long as you need me, little dove. Always."