I thought he would act like my mate. I thought he might comfort me or we could share something more. I wanted him to hold me, but he was wrapped up in himself.
I was going to cry again just from hearing the smile in his voice.
But Kai was doing the same thing as my family. Or it could be even worse. Because people at the parties already looked down on me. And maybe Kai was celebrating how I’d never be accepted there. If I couldn’t have children, why would Sin and Caspian want me to stay after the Ceremony?
I was shaking, shifting to pressing my palm into the mattress next to his waist while I clutched my stomach. As if I could erase it and make myself whole again by hiding the scar.
That feeling of floating became more intense. Kai’s scent became so sweet I had a head rush. Every tension that twisted his body since I’d met him had loosened as he let out a sharp laugh, and I recoiled.
I was right next to him, but I suddenly felt so alone.
“Is it because I’m not worthy of you? Are you that happy I’m broken?” I barely got the words out because it hurt too much.
I’d rejected them because of the way they’d treated me when they thought I was a host with children. But what if Kai rejected me because I couldn’t have children at all?
“Kai, talk to me!” I shouted.
It was stupid for me to have expectations. In the end, he was still that omega from the heat suite who snapped and snarled at me and told me to stay in my lane.
“I thought you’d understand, Kai… I thought you’d be…”
He hadn’t trapped me in his nest. I could leave whenever I wished. I had Zania’s money. I had a way out. I stayed because I wanted to be with him, because I thought we were growing and creating something together, and that he felt the same as me.
I would rather deal with Caspian’s scathing rage than see Kai laugh at me.
But it showed I really knew nothing about him.
I was already planning how to leave when Kai ripped his hands from his face and lunged forward.
I didn’t even see his expression as he dragged me into a hug so fierce, I gasped. He squeezed the air from my lungs as he groaned again, rubbing his nose against his tender bite mark on my neck.
“You’re so fucking amazing,” he whispered, and I froze under him, staring at nothing.
Maybe I misheard him, but it didn’t take away the agony that was deeply rooted inside me from his reaction.
Because he was overflowing, love pouring out of him and smothering me so much that I choked. I couldn’t understand what was going on. There was no spite or any dark emotions in there. It was an endless stream of joy that I couldn’t deal with. They clashed with my pain and distrust. But it felt so good that I had to fight with myself to remember that he had just hurt me.
“You are seriously the most fucking amazing person I have ever met. Every single thing we talk about just makes me even more sure you’re my mate.”
“Kai, please, I need you to talk to me. What’s going on?”
He pulled back, the smile on his face the same kind of serene he had when we made love.
“It means I don’t have to be scared of you anymore. Because you’re so fucking perfect.”
It almost looked like he was crying again.
I’d endured his snarls and felt him strangle me and watched him stab people with glee on his face. I couldn’t imagine why he was scared ofme.
“Then why are you smiling? Is it because it means I’m more fucked up than you?”
“Jesus, fuck, no. Brandy, you…” His brow furrowed. “I’m so fucking sorry. I’m the one who’s fucked up. I can’t deal with this news, it’s too good.” He gripped me harder, drawing me into another hug. “Fuck, you’ve really been through so much.”
“What do you mean, you can’t deal with it?” I asked, my frustration making me snap at him.
His hands travelled from my shoulders to my elbows as we both sat up properly. I couldn’t lounge around with him when he’d pierced my heart. I needed to face him. He crossed his legs while I pulled my knees under me.
“I’m so happy,” he admitted, dipping his head. I flinched, not sure I heard him properly. “I’m so happy I don’t have to share you with anyone else. You’ll just be ours.”