Page 117 of Omega's Heart

I laughed. “Tomorrow,” I reminded him. “I miss you too.” Then I remembered something. “Did you go to see Honisloonz’s family tonight like you were thinking?”

“I did.”

“How did it go?” I asked gently, knowing he’d been carrying that death with him since it had happened.

“Okay, I think,” he said slowly. “I need to think about it. Or something. It was harder even than I thought it would be, but I’m glad I did it.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I don’t want to land that on your shoulders,” he began, but I interrupted him.

“In forty-eight hours, we’re going to be mated. Did you even read over my vows?”

“That’s just the traditional form--”

I interrupted him again. “Doesn’t make it less true for me.”

“I’m going to feel like an idiot leading you around with a cord wrapped around your wrists.”

“It’s symbolic. And I’d follow you anywhere.”

“I know. Any other surprises I should be ready for?”

“This is hardly a surprise.” Hunter trotted back to me, his sides moving like the sides of the greenhouses when the wind came up. “I think Hunter’s getting tired.”

“It usually only takes him four or five good throws before he’s ready to go back in. He’ll let you know when he’s done.”

“Thought you soldiers were all in perfect shape. I know you are.” I threw the stick again, not quite so far this time.

“Besotted omega. Guess it’s only fair, since I’m following you around panting most of the time.” I laughed at him, but didn’t have a chance to say anything before he continued, “It takes a while to get back to what we were after an injury, though.” His voice was quiet, but not like I’d poked up painful memories. Just like he was contemplating the differences in his life now. That was good, a huge improvement over what he’d been like when he’d first come back to Mercy Hills.

Hunter came back again, but this time he laid down with the stick on the ground between his front feet. “You done, Hunter?” I asked, digging my fingers into his ruff. He groaned at me and laid his head down, giving me the saddest eyes. “I’m getting a guilt trip.”

“We usually have a snack after. There’re beef strips in the fridge in my apartment, if you’re willing to brave Mom.”

“I’m sure I can find something.” I wanted a chance to come up with a battle plan before I dealt with his mother again. “Why don’t we put Hunter to bed, then you can tell me how the visit with Honisloonz’s family went.” I kept my voice gentle, so he’d know I’d be okay if he wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.

“You’re not going to let me get away with pretending I don’t see those burrs in my fur, aren’t you? That’s all it is, you know. Burrs.”

“I know. But maybe I can help pick them off?”

I heard the long breath he took and held my own as I waited to hear what he was ready to do.

“Yeah,” he said finally. “Maybe you should know what you’re getting into before it’s too late to back out.”

Grateful that he couldn’t see me, I rolled my eyes in exasperation, a habit I’d picked up from Julius, who’d picked it up from Bram. Silly alpha. It was already too late for me. Had been since not long after he’d come to Mercy Hills. But he was an alpha, and when his emotions had the upper hand there was no stopping the protective instincts. “I doubt it,” I told him anyway, then, “Come on, Hunter, let’s go raid the fridge.”

“Don’t forget to hide the stick,” Kaden reminded me.

“I won’t.” I convinced Hunter to let me have the stick again and hid it under the bushes. “Now,” I said to my future mate. “I know we’re not mated yet, so it’s not precisely in my current MOS—” He laughed, but didn’t speak, so I continued. “However, in two days it will be. Talk to me. I want to help and you’re not going to scare me away unless you start shutting me out. That’s not a good start to a mating.”

“Yes, sir,” he said smartly and I grinned.

“That’s right. If the omega isn’t happy, then nobody’s happy. Remember that, Mr. Smarty-Alphapants.”

“You know, that’s got kind of a ring to it. Do you think—”

“Don’t you dare.” I glanced down at Hunter, pacing along beside me as we walked back to the building. “Your Dad is weird.”