Page 18 of His Reluctant Omega Mate

“Um, I didn’t have it on. I got too hot.”

“It’s too cold to be going to the car like that. You’re skin and bones.” He thought for a minute and then pulled off his hoodie. “Put this on,” he said firmly.

I wanted to argue, but it looked soft and warm, so I did as I was told while Dakota got to his knees again and put my sneakers on for me. He looked up at me as he tied the laces, the affection on his face giving me pause. This meant so much more to him than me, and I hated that it felt like I was using him. Would he settle for friendship? That was all that I could really afford to give him. Besides, I was damaged now. Who’d want a damaged, likely infertile omega for a mate? Having babies was all we were good for in a lot of packs.

There must have been something on my face, a sign of withdrawal, because Dakota let out a sigh. “Let’s get you home.”

Dozing on the drive, I only woke as we pulled into the driveway behind my car and stopped.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” Dakota laughed.

“Sorry,” I muttered, trying to subtly wipe a trail of drool from my mouth.

“You snore!” Dakota pointed out, chuckling at my offended face.

“Do not!”

“Do too, but it’s cute.”

I scrubbed a hand over my face and sighed.

“Sorry, I really want to be your friend, Kade, but I can’t help my feelings for you. I’ve—“

“Dakota, please. I’m exhausted. You’ve been great, but I swear I could vomit right now and just want to go to bed.”

“Sorry,” he repeated, and I worried that I’d really offended him as he got out of the car, but he reappeared at my door. “Let’s get you in and settled, okay?” His cheerful mask was back in place.

With his help, I got into the house and into some sleep pants and a fresh t-shirt. I’d have loved a shower but wouldn’t have been able to stay standing to get washed. I heard Dakota opening and closing cabinets and moving around my house and found that I didn’t mind him there. If we could just draw a proper boundary so I wasn’t constantly hurting his feelings... He returned and placed a glass of water on the nightstand, plugged my phone in to charge, and then placed the wastebin by the bed. “In case you get sick,” he explained.

“Kota? Take a spare key with you, please.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Thank you,” I croaked, sleep tugging heavily at me.

“My pleasure,” he whispered as he bent and kissed my forehead.

My last conscious thought as I listened to Dakota leave was that I wished I could fall in love with him, so I didn’t have to hurt him.

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