Page 68 of Venom Island

She shakes her head. “It doesn’t.

I frown. “Then why are you crying?”

“Because I can,” she tells me. “Because I’m finally safe enough… to cry.”

I hug her to me, her words breaking my heart as her sobs punch me in the gut.

My poor little treasure, so strong for so long… I can’t even imagine the agony she’s kept hidden inside. But I’m going to spend eternity making it right. Showing her how a real Alpha treats his Omega. Worshipping her. Cherishing her.Lovingher.

“You’re mine now,” I murmur, my hand on the back of her head as I cradle her against me. “No one will ever hurt you again, little treasure. No one.”

Chapter 16

Caja

I feel raw.

Exposed.

Vulnerable.

Abused.

And so satisfied that I can barely think straight.

It’s… it’s an exotic combination of sensations, ones that leave me clinging to Enrique for hours on end. Even now, I’m gripping his hand like it’s a lifeline. And I suppose it is. We’re in a foreign land, filled with strange scents and unfamiliar faces.

Several of those faces are turned our way now as we exit the building. Enrique stands tall, his Alpha strength on full display.

I try to feign a similar confidence at his side but instead rely on my ability to mask emotions instead.

Except, with Enrique, I don’t feel like I have to hide.

He broke through some sort of wall inside me, freeing me into the world for the first time. Making me experience life. Embrace my existence. Just…feel.

He squeezes my hand, causing me to glance up at him. “It’s okay, Caja. No one will touch you.”

“I know,” I tell him honestly. Because he’ll protect me. I’m certain of it. I can feel his need to guard me, his desire to keep me calm, his promise to never leave my side.

All those emotions whirl in our bond like a kiss to my senses.

Just as I’m sure he can feel my unease. My concern with our surroundings. My faith in him to keep me safe.

He’s my anchor now.

My Alpha.

Mymate.

A loud whistle sounds from ahead as a familiar face appears in the crowd.Elias.

I blink in surprise, having not expected to see him here.

“Looks like you waited to knot her on the ground,” Elias says by way of greeting. “Good job,Riq.”

Enrique grunts. “You have a strange obsession with my knot,Lias.”

Elias considers him for a moment. “No, that doesn’t work. I’ll stick with ‘Enrique.’?”