Page 38 of Bound to the Guard

My hand covers the concave hollow of my stomach. Is thatnormal? My eyes shift to Damien’s lap. Willmystomach get that big if we… Warmth suffuses my body.

Leo settles into the chair opposite us with his sandwiches. “So, Seven, how are you settling in?”

Dismayed, I return my attention to the other Omega. How long do we need to sip tea before I can tap out and return to our suite? How long before it’s just Damien and me?

Alone.

With no restrictions.

12

The elevator doors close behind us, and I slump, pulling my blanket up over my head.

A quick cup of tea turned into two hours of socializing, and I didn’t have the heart to tap out when Leo seemed so happy to have company.

As we ascend, Damien turns to me. “Thank you for being so patient with Leo. He can be a bit much sometimes.”

I lean on the elevator wall, the cool metal seeping through the layers of material surrounding my body. “Leo is very nice.”

“He is, and he’s probably going to be running this family in a few years.” Damien studies me with a hint of concern. “But you look drained. Are you all right?”

Weariness presses down on me like a physical weight, and I stumble forward to wilt against Damien’s solid form.

“Socializing has always sucked away my energy,” I admit to his sweater.

Damien’s hand pauses on my back, surprised by the reference to my past. “Yeah? Are you an introvert?”

I nuzzle his chest. “Yeah.”

He strokes my back. “So Dr. Foster’s instruction to socialize outside of me is going to be tough on you.”

My head turns, his heartbeat a steady rhythm beneath my ear. “I only need one person.”

“Don’t tempt me to monopolize you.” Damien chuckles, the sound rumbling into my bones. “Do you think you’ll make it back to the suite?”

Too drained to form words, I shake my head.

Damien bends over me, his breath ruffling my hair. “Would you like me to carry you?”

I lift my arms, spoiled and loving it. Maybe even loving him.

In one smooth motion, Damien scoops me up, cradling me to his chest like a bride. My arms lift to wrap around his neck, and I bury my nose against his warm skin. Damien’s pheromones envelop me, leaving me feeling safe. A deep, contented rumble emanates from Damien’s chest, the vibrations soothing my overstimulated senses.

The elevator arrives on our floor, the doors opening with a quietshush. As he carries me down the hall to our suite, my mind drifts.

When I first arrived here, I was so scared and broken, flinching at every sudden movement and loud noise. The idea of seeking physical contact, even from someone as kind and patient as Damien, filled me with terror. But Damien never pushed, never demanded more than I could give.

And slowly, his unwavering patience and acceptance coaxed me out of my shell. Each time I reached out to him, each time I allowed myself to be vulnerable, Damien always met me halfway. He never rejected me, never made me feel like a burden or broken.

My sessions with the therapist have played a significant role, too, helping me process the trauma of my past and learning totrust again. It’s been a difficult road, but with each passing day, I become a little more whole, a little more human.

Damien pauses in front of our suite door, shifting me in his arms. “Do you remember the code?”

I nod without lifting my head. I memorized it the first day, and he confirmed I knew it so that if I left our suite, I could get back in without him.

When I don’t move, he adds, “Can you punch it in for me? Unless you want me to set you down?”

A small groan escapes my lips at the thought of relinquishing my hold on him, even for a moment. But I do, unwinding my arms from around his neck and leaning down to input the code.

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