Page 42 of Rescuing Red

Blaide startled her by wrapping his hand around her tail and extracting it from her wringing grip. The door opened, revealing her mother’s uncharacteristically disheveled appearance. It wasn’t much, but her hair had a few strands out of place and the bags under her eyes seemed darker and thicker than usual. The scrubs she wore were wrinkled, as if she’d slept in them.

Her mother’s eyes widened as she stared at Blaide’s imposing form before she swung her gaze at Liz. As her mother’s lips parted to speak, Liz rushed to apologize again, but her mother beat her to it.

“Hush, Liz. I was worried sick. You shouldn’t have left, but there’s no changing that now.”

The weariness her mother had worn for years creased her forehead, but she shook her head and turned toward Clarette.

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it? The genes may have skipped me, but she’s the spitting image of her lineage, isn’t she?”

Nana shifted forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding Chelle as she broke down into sobs. Liz joined them, not bothering to hold back her own tears as feminine strength engulfed her. None of them were concerned with their display, despite standing in the apartment’s doorway.

Slender fingers framed Liz’s face and guilt-ridden eyes filled her vision.

“I’m sorry, Liz. I got so focused on providing for your physical needs, I forgot about your emotional ones. I tried, but I’m not built like you. When you left, I realized how heartless I’ve been and I… I’m sorry.”

Liz choked on her first few attempts at wording, then managed the only thing she could.

“Don’t be. I love you.”

Blaide’s patience knew no bounds as he stood there watching his little omega. When she turned to reach for his hand, he took it without hesitation, not rushing the family reunion. It was Nana who broke the spell.

“Where’s the kitchen? It’s been too long since I’ve had a proper meal.”

The silence that filled the house could have been awkward, but between Nana’s delicious food and her mother’s acceptance of Blaide, Liz only felt comfort as they sat around the tiny table in the little nook beside the kitchen after they’d finished eating.

“Where will you go next?”

Chelle tried to keep the worry out of her voice, but the clipped words gave her away.

“We have to go meet one of Blaide’s friends who can fix his back.”

Her mother’s gaze zeroed in on Liz’s face before she swung her attention to Blaide.

“An alpha?”

Blaide nodded. Amber eyes shifted back to Liz.

“You’ve never met him?”

“No, Mom, I’ve never met him.”

Both Chelle and Clarette’s shoulders stiffened as they turned toward Blaide.

“How long have you known this friend?”

“Many years. We were in the same unit. He’s patched me up so many times and performed so many miraculous surgeries, I can’t trust anyone else to cut me open, not even for something as minor as this.”

Liz’s cheeks darkened in anger, her worry over his wounds making her want to lash out and say his injuries weren’t minor. Her nana spoke before she could.

“And you trust this alpha enough to leave Liz at his mercy?”

“Yes.”

The word came out an instant growl, Blaide not needing to think about his response, but Liz watched as his cheek ticked.

“But she won’t be at his mercy. He won’t sedate me.”

Liz gasped and bolted upright, but his massive hand slid over her nape so his thumb could stroke the sensitive skin below her ear. Standing with her hip practically touching his chair, her tails wove around his despite, or maybe because of, her angst.

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