Page 82 of Mated To The King's Gamma
“I know,” I whisper, smiling despite myself. It feels wrong being here without her. This place is where she always should have been. I feel like I have been walking on sacred grounds.
And then the dust rises on the horizon.
A long line of sleek black SUVs roll in, followed by armored transports.
The first vehicle pulls up and parks near the stairs. The rear door opens and Azalea steps out, regal in black jeans and a soft green jacket, her hair is braided down her back.
“About time,” Tandi mutters. “He better be in a good mood once back because if he thinks I am playing housewife and dusting our quarters by myself, he has another thing coming,” Tandi says as Azalea approaches. She thrusts her hands out for Hunter, and my brows furrow as she plucks him from her.
“Wait, he Is covered in pancake syrup,” Tandi goes to tell her, but Azalea just waves her off.
“Go help, Damian,” she tells Tandi. Tandi scoffs, and Azalea arches a brow at her.
“So am I meant to pretend I didn't hear you sobbing about how much you miss him on the way home?” Tandi’s eyes widen in horror, and her face flushes.
“You were on Bluetooth,” Azalea chuckles.
“That asshole, he let everyone listen to our call!” she snaps, stomping off toward the car as Kyson climbs out.
Then so does Damian.
And in his arms?—
A small girl, with brown curls, clinging to his chest.
Tandi freezes. Almost as if she is paralyzed by what she sees.
The moment hangs in the air like a heartbeat waiting to break, and I gasp, my hands going to my mouth as I look at Azalea for confirmation. She smiles sadly and pecks Hunter's little head.
But my attention is forced back to Tandi by her wailing scream.
A sound I’ll never forget—half joy, half heartbreak, as she rushes forward only to collapse like the world just gave way beneath her.
“Paige?” she breathes.
The girl blinks at her.
Tandi’s hands tremble as she reaches out.
“Mommy?” The little girl murmurs.
Damian gently lowers the child into her arms, and Paige curls into her mother’s chest like she’d always belonged there.
She had.
Tandi sobs, holding her like she’d never let go again.
None of us speak.
We don’t need to.
Some moments are too sacred for words. “How?” Tandi chokes, rocking back and forth, clutching the girl. Damian crouches beside them and cups Tandi’s cheek.
“I didn't want to get your hopes up in case I couldn't find her,” Damian tells her, and Tandi nods.
“Thank you,” she whimpers.
“I’ve told you, you're mine. And that means every part of you. They are pieces of you, therefore mine, too,” Damian whispers, and she nods as he clutches her and presses his lips to her forehead.
