Chapter 23

Liz

She wanted to scream at his stubbornness, the sight of her huge alpha's bandaged and still oozing back curdling her stomach, but she trusted he knew what he was doing. If he only wanted a specific man to tend him, then she'd grit her teeth and try not to cry every time she saw his pierced flesh. Liz walked around the foot of the cot and studied Blaide's face, stunned at how peaceful he looked as he slept.

Sensing her hovering over him, but still exhausted, he hooked a hand around the back of her thigh and urged her closer. She smirked as she pivoted and slid onto the edge of the bed, intending to sit, but her own fatigue reached up and stole the last of her energy. Trying not to jostle him too much, she leaned sideways and laid her head on his bicep before tucking her legs onto the cot. His purr loosened with contentment as he tugged her closer, and she curled into him eagerly. With his front plastered to her back, Liz dropped into sleep.

In the middle of a war-torn planet, on a cot barely big enough for a beta, Liz slept as peacefully as if he'd tucked her in a nest inside a fortified bunker, hidden away from the universe, because Blaide held her.

They soaked up each other's closeness, the bond between them dancing in joy.

Liz dreamed of the future, happier than she'd ever been.

It was after lunch the next day before they finally made it down to the transport station ticket booth. The line to get off planet had been horrendous, but the soldiers nearby kept everyone in check.

"Are you sure?"

Blaide claimed he had plenty of money, but she felt guilty for acting so rashly and not bringing more with her, therefore leaving him with the sole responsibility of buying tickets for himself and nana for the trip to her mother's.

"Yes, my Red. Quit worrying about it. You'll make it up to me later."

The glint in his yellow eyes both heated her blood and let her know he was joking. Her nana chuckled when Blaide winked down at Liz, easing the worry gnawing at her chest but increasing her embarrassment.

He paid for their tickets, his movements stiffer than Liz liked, but the nurse had wrapped gauze around where the shrapnel stuck out of his back so it wouldn't shift during their travel. It remained clean and white beneath his shirt, so Liz swallowed her misgivings and took his hand.

He led them onto the ship, letting Nana have the window seat so Liz could sit between them. It meant he had the aisle to spill into, which seemed like a necessity when Liz saw how his frame overflowed the seat.

She worried most during takeoff and landing, the lines on his face tightening while he held himself forward so his injuries didn't brush the seatback, but Nana kept her distracted during the time in between. She spoke of the villagers and where they'd stay, how grateful they were for Blaide's help, which ones she'd be able to call, and how she looked forward to meeting them all back in their home village once the war was over.

Liz blinked slowly as she realized she did not know where Blaide would take her after they visited her mother. A smile lit her face as she realized she truly didn't care, so long as he was with her. With a shy yet mischievous smile, she met her alpha's gaze before leaning her head against his arm.

***

Blaide startled her by wrapping his hand around her tail and extracting it from her wringing grip. The door opened, revealing her mother's uncharacteristically disheveled appearance. It wasn't much, but her hair had a few strands out of place and the bags under her eyes seemed darker and thicker than usual. The scrubs she wore were wrinkled, as if she'd slept in them.

Her mother's eyes widened as she stared at Blaide's imposing form before she swung her gaze at Liz. As her mother's lips parted to speak, Liz rushed to apologize again, but her mother beat her to it.

"Hush, Liz. I was worried sick. You shouldn't have left, but there's no changing that now."

The weariness her mother had worn for years creased her forehead, but she shook her head and turned toward Clarette.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? The genes may have skipped me, but she's the spitting image of her lineage, isn't she?"

Nana shifted forward and wrapped her arms around her daughter, holding Chelle as she broke down into sobs. Liz joined them, not bothering to hold back her own tears as feminine strength engulfed her. None of them were concerned with their display, despite standing in the apartment's doorway.

Slender fingers framed Liz's face and guilt-ridden eyes filled her vision.

"I'm sorry, Liz. I got so focused on providing for your physical needs, I forgot about your emotional ones. I tried, but I'm not built like you. When you left, I realized how heartless I've been and I… I'm sorry."

Liz choked on her first few attempts at wording, then managed the only thing she could.

"Don't be. I love you."

Blaide's patience knew no bounds as he stood there watching his little omega. When she turned to reach for his hand, he took it without hesitation, not rushing the family reunion. It was Nana who broke the spell.

"Where's the kitchen? It's been too long since I've had a proper meal."

The silence that filled the house could have been awkward, but between Nana's delicious food and her mother's acceptance of Blaide, Liz only felt comfort as they sat around the tiny table in the little nook beside the kitchen after they'd finished eating.

"Where will you go next?"

Chelle tried to keep the worry out of her voice, but the clipped words gave her away.

"We have to go meet one of Blaide's friends who can fix his back."

Her mother's gaze zeroed in on Liz's face before she swung her attention to Blaide.

"An alpha?"

Blaide nodded. Amber eyes shifted back to Liz.

"You've never met him?"

"No, Mom, I've never met him."

Both Chelle and Clarette's shoulders stiffened as they turned toward Blaide.

"How long have you known this friend?"

"Many years. We were in the same unit. He's patched me up so many times and performed so many miraculous surgeries, I can't trust anyone else to cut me open, not even for something as minor as this."

Liz's cheeks darkened in anger, her worry over his wounds making her want to lash out and say his injuries weren't minor. Her nana spoke before she could.

"And you trust this alpha enough to leave Liz at his mercy?"

"Yes."

The word came out an instant growl, Blaide not needing to think about his response, but Liz watched as his cheek ticked.

"But she won't be at his mercy. He won't sedate me."

Liz gasped and bolted upright, but his massive hand slid over her nape so his thumb could stroke the sensitive skin below her ear. Standing with her hip practically touching his chair, her tails wove around his despite, or maybe because of, her angst.

"Little Red, sit down. It's complicated, but I'll tell you more when we have hours to sit and do nothing on the ship. I won't feel any pain. And you'll be safe."

He searched her furrowed brow and pulled her close, wrapping his goliath arms around her waist and resting his cheek on her bosom. Their size difference struck her anew, sending shivers of delight down her spine.

She ran her fingers through his hair, avoiding his ears since they had an audience, and murmured an okay. He lifted his head and smiled up at her, leading her eyes toward her nana with his own.

Liz let a drop of liquid spill over her lower eyelid as she heard her nana's approving purr. With a robust quality Liz couldn't remember hearing from her before, her oldest confidant nodded and swiped a stray tear off her own cheek.

"She'll be okay, Chelle. He'll take care of her. She's found an alpha who'll love and cherish her for the beautiful soul she is."

Liz's mother nodded and accepted the hand Nana reached out to her. Liz let another tear drip from her rapidly flooding eyes as she realized she hadn't seen her female role models offer each other comfort in a very, very long time.

***

With full bellies and peace radiating from their souls, Liz and Blaide turned the corner in the hallway, Liz waving one last time at her mother before the wall blocked her view. Nana said her heartfelt goodbyes before she went to bed. Her body needed more rest to fully recover. Blaide promised they'd visit Nana once she'd moved back to Jun'gale, and the glint in his eyes had made Liz's heart flutter. When Nana winked and smiled right back, a flush heated Liz's cheeks, even though she couldn't figure out what they were hinting at.

She held hands with Blaide all the way to the station where they boarded their ship together and sat where Blaide was most comfortable. She worried over him during takeoff, which prompted him to offer her a quiet purr, and Liz realized he'd strategically placed them as far away from the other passengers as possible so he wouldn't bother them.

"You owe me an explanation. Actually, you owe me several explanations."

After checking his back again and studying his posture, Liz sighed and scooted closer. Exhaustion still tugged at her, and she had a feeling his explanations would take longer than she could keep her eyes open.

"But I'm tired and would like to take a nap first."

He guided her head onto his arm and strengthened his purr.

"Of course, my sweet little Red. Whatever you need."

He'd already proven he meant those words—he'd bested six alphas, fought an entire platoon of enemies, and brought her nana home safely—but Liz had a deeper assurance that he meant them now.

She felt his honor, love, and commitment through their bond.

And although she did not know what the future held and wished she had a nest to burrow into, she slipped into a comfortable doze, knowing she was safe and cared for.

She'd found her true soulmate in the least likely of places and would happily follow him wherever the future took them.