Chapter Eight

In private.While there were a lot of things I wanted to do with this omega in private, talking wasn't at the top of my list, especially given the look in his eyes.

He was going to reject me.

I just knew it.

My insides quivered. My hands fisted and released, trying to ease some of the tension inside me as we walked from the main area to my room.

Because if he was going to reject me, I wanted it to be in my bedroom. Apparently I liked to torture myself.

Once the door was closed behind us, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Once he opened them again, my breath was stolen by his grass-green gaze. I'd never seen that color on anyone. His black hair fell over his forehead making him appear even more rebellious and sexier.

"You wanted to talk?" I choked out. If this was going to happen, I wanted to get it over with.

My bear growled inside me, wanting to touch him. Feel his soft skin against mine. Hear the noises he would make as he writhed beneath me.

"I did. You're Tyrus. You're the bear."

In all the chaos, my omega and I hadn't been formally introduced. Not the kind of introduction he deserved.

Then again, he had a collar on his neck and had been abused for gods knew how long, so nothing was normal about any of this.

"I am. And you're Sloan. The omega wolf."

He smiled and nodded. My cock bobbed at his smile. Damn it. I'd probably come in my pants if he laughed. "I am. You…you and I…the dreams."

I reached out and took his hands in mine, trying to ignore my thoughts about rejection. I had these few minutes with him and would make the most of it. Touching him would give me a sweet memory once he left me. "Let's sit down."

We sat, and his thigh pressed against mine on the small love seat in my bedroom. "Have you done that before?" he asked.

"I have." I watched his expression fall. "With my twin brother."

He heaved out a breath and laughed. "Oh. Your brother. Did I meet him? Everything was a blur."

I shook my head. "He passed some time ago, but he was the only one I have ever shared dreams with. No use for that little jealous streak."

Gods. Was I flirting? Flirting with this beautiful, sexy omega I couldn't have. I should've been ashamed of myself, but I wasn't. Not one bit.

His cheeks flooded with ruby heat. I wanted to reach out and rub my thumb across them. "I didn't know what was happening at first. I had never shared a dream with another. It was strange and yet, I wanted you to know that there were days where I lived for that time with you. It brought me a comfort I had long forgotten and, honestly, given up on. Those brief moments between us warmed me better than my own fur."

All my hang-ups about him not wanting me and rejecting me were tossed in that moment. He was mine.

And I had a sneaking suspicion that the reason we could dream together was because we were mates.

"You're mine," I blurted. We both laughed, and I shook my head. My damned bear got the best of me and shouted out his thoughts, no finesse about it. "What I mean is…we're mates, right? You feel it too?"

He nodded. "Of course, with this damned thing on, I can't sense much, but once I saw you, there was no denying it. That's why we can dream like that, right? We were bonded even before we met."

Fuck. His words broke me.

I grabbed my omega by the waist and settled him in my lap. While I brushed that inky hair from his forehead, I spoke to him gently, "We are bonded. And I'll get that collar off of you one way or another. We'll find a way. We need to get to know each other, and there are things you should know about me, but I'm yours if you decide you want me."

He turned and, for the first time, initiated touch, cupping my face with his hands. "We both have a lot to share, I think. I have so much in my head and things I've gone through. I might be a mess for a while. But I've waited my whole life for an alpha—someone to care for me and love me so I can love them just as much. I begged the gods every night that the person I was having visions with would come and rescue me. And you did."

"I begged the gods as well. I begged them for an omega, but I might not be worthy of you."

He shook his head. "Worthy is in the heart of the beholder. Can…can you hold me closer? It's been so long since I've been held by someone who cares for me." He let out a laugh. "It's been so long since someone older than a teen cared for me at all."

I situated him so his legs were straddling my hips. He wrapped his arms around my neck and laid his head against my shoulder, facing me, much like Gray and Hammer's pup did when he was about to fall asleep. He inhaled against my neck while I held him closer and rubbed his back. "Those children love you," I said, once his heartbeat slowed.

"I love them. They don't deserve what life has given them. But they will be okay now. At least they're safe. It will take a while before they feel secure, but they will be fine."

A twinge in my heart alerted me. There was more to the sweet man in my arms for me to know.

"There's something you need to say," I prompted. We had already bonded, so it wasn't out of the question for me to pick up on his cues already, but it was also a bit jarring considering we'd only met a few minutes ago. My human mind getting in the way again.

"I need to stay with the kids tonight, and maybe for a while. I'm the only one they know. Not that your team isn't amazing, but…"

"I understand. It's okay." Those kids were his life. No way I would stand in between him and them. Not for a second.

"But it's not," he said, pulling back to meet my gaze. "I also don't ever want to leave this spot or you."

I beamed with pride, while my bear huffed out a hot breath of approval. "I don't want to be away from you either."

He sighed. Clearly, he was torn, and the last thing I wanted was to add more stress to his already-exhausted body and soul. "How about I sleep near you in the common area? I promise to keep my paws to myself."

He blushed again, shaking his head. "You would sleep in there when you have this great room?"

I shrugged. "If it means being near you? I'd sleep in ten feet of snow without a single complaint."

"Okay. As much as I'm loving being near you and in your arms, I need to go see them. Make sure they are good. And I'm exhausted."

He was. I could feel it through our tether. It even made me tired. "Let's go, then."

We got up and made our way to the door, but Sloan stopped and looked at me over his shoulder. "For the record, alpha, I look forward to the day when you don't keep your paws to yourself."