31. Mila

Chapter 31

Mila

I 've just finished rinsing the last dish when I become aware of a presence behind me.

He lurks in the corner of my eye, and I turn to find him inside the threshold of the kitchen.

Barret, looking so unsure of himself.

He smiles as if he is in pain, reaching up to run a hand through his soaked, shoulder-length black hair. "Sorry. You're busy."

Not anymore. I've just finished up in the kitchen. There wasn't much to do anyway; Oliver had forbidden me from going upstairs.

He really is taking this whole nest thing seriously. It's just proof of how much he cares, and I won't ruin his surprise.

"No. What is it, Barret?"

The Alpha doesn't look like he knows what to do with himself. He continues to run his hand through his hair, making his dark locks all that more gloriously mussed.

He has a fair amount of scruff on his face, and I try not to think about what it would feel like between my legs…

I return to the dishes. Maybe there were a few more things I needed to rinse.

Barret steps into the kitchen, his heavy boots scuffing against the floor as he leans against the counter opposite me.

"So, it has kindly been brought to my attention that I haven't been trying my hardest at earning back your trust yet, sunshine…"

I don't meet his eyes. I just continue to wipe away at an imaginary stain on a dish.

I have to disagree with him, though. Just because he isn't getting down on his knees, giving me heartfelt declarations of redemption and forgiveness, doesn't mean he isn't trying.

He was there the other night in my bed. Granted, to stop Lachlan, but he was still there…

He was also there today during our shopping trip.

"I blame myself, you know."

Now that catches my attention, and I glance up, meeting his eyes.

He stares at his boots.

"I left you that day at your dad's, and… I should have stayed…"

Silence. A breeze blows in from the window, ruffling his hair, and I stop myself before the tears come.

I can't believe he blames himself. I wholly understand why he left me, and besides… I needed to be alone with my dad in his final moments.

That was my journey to take. No one else's.

There are some journeys we need to walk alone.

I shake my head. "That… it wasn't your fault, Barret…"

Another gentle breeze from the window, one that brings the sweet scent of moss and leaves, and I cast my eyes on the woods.

Barret follows my gaze, and a hesitant smile creeps across his handsome face. And for the first time since I returned, that one dimple makes its appearance.

My heart thuds.

"So… you want to join me on a hike in the woods? I hear there are plenty of rabbits around at this time. Maybe you can show me those hunting skills of yours."

Actually, rabbits become active at dusk, but I don't tell him that. Besides, there's no need to hunt when I have plenty of food.

I smile. "Sure. I will grab my coat."

Barret's eyes spark to life, and I know it in my heart then.

When the nest is done, and Oliver can finally show me his surprise, I will tell Gryphon about Lily.

I will tell them all.

***

I have the uncanny notion that we are being followed as Barret and I take our walk through the woods.

It's no one nefarious. It's someone who we know and trust, and I shake my head, sticking my hands into my coat pockets.

I think Barret has caught wind of the scent too, but he doesn't comment on it. Instead, he stops inside a clearing, and I pause to enjoy life for a moment.

The sun is shining, creating dappled sunlight on the forest floor. I breathe it in, feeling the stresses of the last few days ebbing away.

I needed this, and I know Barret feels the same way.

He leans against a sycamore tree, watching me carefully, and heat takes over my cheeks.

"What?"

His mouth tugs at the corner, and I see that delightful dimple again, more pronounced this time in the shadows of the forest.

"Do I have to have a reason for watching you admire the forest? This is nature after all. A place where you can truly feel at one with yourself."

While I do appreciate the forest, if I had to choose, it would be the ocean.

Not that I have ever seen the ocean.

It was always on my bucket list.

That's why blue is my favorite color.

"Oliver loves nature. It's why his nest is green."

I don't say anything at that. I just continue to watch the sun-dappled forest floor, enjoying the peace and solitude.

Barret steps away from the tree, reaching up to grab my cheek, and now he has my full attention.

He doesn't look away from my eyes.

"The forest also matches your eyes, sunshine…"

My heart pounds, and I fold my arms, not sure how to take the compliment.

Things are still so tense between us all, but I don't want them to be.

I want it to be how it was before I left. Those few beautiful days when Oliver was bedbound, and we all waited on his beck and call.

Barret runs the pad of his finger along my bottom lip, and my heart hiccups at the sensation of his callused skin.

A shudder ripples up and down my spine, and I squeeze my thighs, trying to keep it together.

It's getting hot in this forest.

The Alpha reaches inside his coat pocket, and I spy the glint of steel inside his hand.

He gives it to me. "Here."

I take the blade from his grip, turning it in my hand. "A knife?"

Barret sighs. "Yeah. I thought that maybe I could watch you skin a rabbit with it sometime…"

He stops short when I spin it around in my hand, a smile spreading across his face.

"Or maybe that too."

I giggle, flipping the knife around a few more times, and he chuckles along with me.

"Thank you. I don't think I have ever been gifted a knife before. Well, not one like this."

It's true. This knife is a pure work of art. Handcrafted from ivory and bright, gleaming steel.

My enemies won't know what hit 'em.

They never would have let me keep a knife or any sharp object back at the academy, and it's a crying shame that those Omegas don't get to learn the true wonders of owning a knife.

I double over next, feeling as if someone has just stuck a knife into my gut.

Barret is right by side, worry marring his perfect face. "Mila?"

It's fine. I'm fine. It was just…

Another piercing pain, and my heart pounds.

No. Not again.

I was in a forest the last time too.

Except this time… I am not alone.

How can I have another one so fast?

Is Mother Nature pissed that I managed to survive the last one? I didn't even get a knot last time, but still, I shouldn't be alive right now.

Another wringing pain and that's when I hear the sound of approaching footsteps.

Someone is running toward us, and I can't remember where I dropped my knife.

That's when he bounds through the bushes, all flowing blond locks and piercing blue eyes.

"Snowdrop!"

Well, I suppose it's an upgrade from my last heat. Not only do I have one Alpha by my side, but two.

Just maybe… things will be better this time.