Chapter Twenty-Two

Talon

My mate's blood pressure was sky high and he was confined to bed for the duration… Bored out of his mind but determined to do whatever it took to carry our baby safely to the end of the pregnancy.

One thing that helped was the opening of the doors to our pasts. Once we began to speak, we'd continued to. Neither of us regarded the fact that the other had old relationships as a problem, and as I listened to his words and watched his animated features, I could not help but be thankful that we'd had our spat. It wasn't good for a relationship to have secrets.

The opening up of parts of our hearts that had been scarred closed also seemed to have an effect on Rowan's health. I didn't want to say anything yet, in case it changed, but he was less tense, and when I rubbed his feet, they weren't as swollen.

"Alpha, do you ever wonder how mates find each other? True mates," he clarified. "It's such a big world out there."

"It sure is. But I would have searched the whole world until I found you, omega. I can't imagine living without you." I set his right foot down and reached for the other. Smoothing the arch, I felt the pulse there and marveled at the life force in my hands. "I believe, now, that Fate will make sure we have a chance to meet our fated. Maybe some choose not to accept the gift."

"But how sad is that?" He tugged his foot back and sat up on the bed. "It doesn't scare you?"

"No. Not when you're right here. Give Fate some credit. Look what they did for us." I continued my massage, putting his leg in my lap and kneading my way into his calf. My omega carried a lot of tension in that part of his legs, and there was so much there now.

"I know you love me and you are my fated, but I feel like such a sack of potatoes, lying here in bed and doing nothing while you work and support us and everything."

"I am glad to help because I can. And we have the house staff to help. Omega, the reason you are in bed is to help your blood pressure. How is that doing?"

He looked past me.

"You have been taking it?" And why hadn't I?

"Yes, but probably not often enough."

"Can I take it now?" Releasing his leg, I got up from the bed and opened the nightstand drawer to withdraw the cuff we kept there. "Is this all right?"

"Okay." He held out his arm and I fastened the cuff in place. "But it's probably awful."

"Relax if you can, and let's see." He should be having peace and quiet and here I was making it all worse. But I needed to know whether he was doing all right. If not, I'd call Amir right away. I watched it inflate and ease back while I studied the little digital screen. "Omega, look."