Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Gasping, Ricky jerked his hand away from Morgan’s shoulder. “You’re awake.”
“I am.” Morgan coughed as he pushed himself up to a sitting position. His vision remained dark around the edges and his head swam, but he wouldn’t allow a moment to pass before making amends with his mate. “I need to apologize to you.”
“Apologize to me?” Eyes opening and closing in a hyper-fast blink, Ricky’s mouth dropped open. “For what? What did you do?”
His still fuzzy brain would have stumbled if Morgan hadn’t practiced these words on a mental loop over the months he had looked for Ricky. “I didn’t treat you respectfully when you visited Golden Valley. I ignored what we are to each and forced you to beg me for my attention. Instead of holding you close, I left you alone after we…” At the memory of how he had spoiled what should have been a magical experience—the coming together of two mates—Morgan’s throat closed and he had to clear it before he could continue. “…after you shared yourself.”
“Please.” Shaking his head, Ricky darted his hand out and clutched Morgan’s wrist. “Stop. Don’t say that. It’s my fault. I’m the one who ran away and didn’t—”
Gut churning at his Omega’s distress, Morgan whispered, “Shhh,” as he flipped his arm and pressed his palm against Ricky’s. This man should feel only happy and safe. Morgan’s primary purpose in life was to make that happen. He wouldn’t fail again. “You shared yourself with me and I didn’t properly care for you afterward.” If they had been in their animal forms, he would have blanketed the smaller shifter’s body with his own and nuzzled his throat. Unsure what was welcome while they were in their human skin, he moved his fingers over Ricky’s in what he hoped was soothing gesture. “Please know, I’ll never disrespect you again.” He would spend his life honoring and cherishing his mate.
“You didn’t disrespect me.” Ricky tugged his hand away and jumped up from the bed.
Morgan’s heart, which he had been sure was already completely shattered by this man’s rejection, somehow cracked further. His instincts screamed that Ricky was his and he should grab him, hold him tightly, and never let him go. But his heart insisted he do anything and everything in his power to protect his mate, even if it was from himself, so Morgan crossed his arms over his chest and pinned his hands underneath them, stopping himself from taking what wasn’t being offered.
“That’s the bathroom, right?” Ricky asked, pointing at the door on the other side of the room. He didn’t wait for an answer before he rushed toward it. “You need water.”
Before Morgan could fully process what was happening, Ricky was back, carrying the glass that normally held Morgan’s toothbrush and toothpaste. “I couldn’t find anything else. I hope it’s okay for me to use this.” He leaned over Morgan, wound his fingers through the side of Morgan’s hair, and touched the glass to his lips. “I rinsed it out so it’s clean. Drink. It’ll help your throat.”
The gesture did more to mend Morgan’s soul than it did his body. His mate wasn’t running from him, he was caring for him. This Omega was his, fated just for him. He was family. Eyes locked on the beautiful face that had occupied his thoughts for months, Morgan laid his hand over Ricky’s and drank until the glass was empty. “Thank you.”
“I’ll get you more.”
Giving Ricky’s hand a gentle squeeze, he whispered, “I’m okay for now.”
Ricky’s gaze darted from the glass to Morgan’s lips to the wall above his head without ever landing on his eyes. “Um, okay.” He shifted from foot to foot. “I’ll, uh, return this to the bathroom.”
His Omega was nervous. That wouldn’t do. Morgan’s primary directive was to make sure his mate felt safe, always.
“We can put it here.” Morgan used his free hand to gently remove the glass from Ricky’s white-knuckled grasp and then he set it on the nightstand. “Hey.” Ducking his chin, he attempted to make eye contact. “Your scent reminds me of a cornered rabbit, and your heart is beating so hard I’m worried you’ll crack a rib.” Morgan rubbed his fingertips over the pulse point in Ricky’s wrist, hoping to ease his worries. “Would you feel safer if I called someone to come in here so you aren’t trapped in a room alone with me?”
“I’m not trapped.” Ricky quickly shook his head and then he looked away and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Besides, I don’t think anyone in your pack likes me.”
Unfortunately, that was probably true. Not that the pack disliked Ricky personally, but more that they feared male Omegas in general. But Morgan was confident he could rectify that problem. Once his wolves saw the joy Ricky brought their Alpha, they surely would give him a chance. Of course, for that to happen, he would need to convince Ricky to stick around.