Page 23 of Golden Valley
“Maybe. Whatever they think, I won’t hurt Morgan.” Ricky’s voice lowered as he added, “I mean, I won’t hurt him again.” His hand curled around Morgan’s shoulder, and Morgan relaxed into the perfection of his body connecting with his mate. “Or at least, I won’t hurt him on purpose,” Ricky mumbled.
“Do you believe in fate?”
“Of course.” Ricky combed his fingers through Morgan’s hair, making his soul sing. “Fate. Destiny. Traditions. All of that.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Do you know Morgan and my mate Lillian were a couple when they were younger?”
“No.” Ricky’s massage didn’t falter. “Does that bother you?”
“It did at first. When I met Lil and realized that, I wanted her to move to my birth pack instead of me coming here and being ruled by her ex. But then I met Morgan.”
Ray paused, and after a few moments, Ricky said, “Yeah? What was that like?”
“Intimidating as hell.” Ray laughed. “But also, incredible. Morgan is a great Alpha, but more than that, he is a genuinely good man.” Ray’s breathing sounded lower and slower, like he was struggling to hold in his emotions. “If I’d known him my whole life, like Lil and most of the pack have; if I’d been there when he lost his family, well, I’d have to stop believing in fate or start believing in monsters, because nothing else explains what he’s had to endure.”
“It isn’t fair.”
“No, it really isn’t. Not fair to Iredell, not fair to the Golden Valley pack, and definitely not fair to Morgan. He deserves to be happy and part of that means believing he isn’t destined for tragedy. Now that fate brought you to him, I think he’ll see that. I have a mate and I’d do anything for Lillian. You’re Morgan’s fated mate, so I know you’ll do whatever it takes to help him.”
“I will,” said Ricky emphatically. “That’s why I came when Alpha Iredell told me he was injured.” If his mate was in the room, Morgan could open his eyes and get closer to his touch. But if this was a dream, opening his eyes would end his time with Ricky. Unwilling to risk that loss, Morgan made himself relax. “You said he’s healed, so why isn’t he moving?”
“My best guess? He doesn’t want to move.” Footsteps sounded and Ray’s voice moved farther away. “You’re his mate, Ricky. That’s the reason I let you into his room and it’s the reason I’m going to keep Lillian and everyone else away for as long as possible.” The door opened. “It’s your turn to do your part.”
“What’s my part?”
“There isn’t a shifter in Golden Valley who wouldn’t lay down their life for Alpha Peters. I’ve heard stories about his father’s steadfastness and about his brother’s charm, but let me tell you, while everyone is devasted by how he got his position, they’re unwavering in their belief that Morgan is therightperson, theonlyperson, the persondestinedto lead them. My loyalty to him is absolute. This entire pack’s loyalty to him is absolute. No matter how standoffish they were when you got here, the Golden Valley pack will accept you if that’s what their Alpha wants. Get Morgan to open his eyes, get out of bed, and tell themyou’rewhat he wants.That'syour part, Ricky.” The door clicked shut.
“So nothing too hard then,” Ricky mumbled.
The conversation wasn’t typical for Morgan’s dreams, which focused on the warmth of being surrounded by family, or his nightmares, which were stark reminders of his lonely reality. That difference along with the depth of the scent now surrounding him and the richness of his mate’s voice, made it difficult for him to avoid the likelihood that he was no longer asleep. Difficult but not impossible. If he kept his muscles loose and relaxed, his breathing slow and even, and his eyes closed, he would be able to slip back into the peacefulness of his dream world.
Relinquishing the safety of his mind and examining his surroundings risked a return to the pain he had tried to end through his battle with Iredell. But Morgan was willing endure any pain, any hardship, any challenge, if it was desired by the one person destined for him, the person fate had chosen as his family. He would do anything for his mate, so he opened his eyes.
His risk was rewarded when the sight that greeted him was his mate’s beautiful face. “You’re really here,” he said or, more accurately, croaked. His mouth was dry and his throat rusty from lack of use.
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 wasfamily. 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.”
