Page 16 of A Hal for my Heart

I screamed, louder than ever before. I screamed with all I had. I couldn’t stop it. My body was like a gaping wound, slowly bleeding out.

“Hal,” I sobbed, clawing at the sheets, crying out for the only thing I’d ever wanted for myself.

An alpha. My alpha.

Chapter Eight

Hal

“I need your help!” As soon as I’d slammed the door to my chambers behind me, the words tumbled from my mouth.

Lord Willoughby rushed to my side and grabbed my hands, clenching them firmly in his. “Of course, son. Anything.”

Gratitude coursed through me. I was so happy they were here.

“Is it Briar?” Kenneth smiled knowingly, wrinkles adorning the corners of his eyes. “If you are worried that we won’t approve of him…” He exchanged a look with Lord Willoughby. “We were hoping you’d return home eventually and take over the farm one day, but we understand you want to stay here at the palace now that you’ve found your mate.”

My mate. Gods, they felt it, too, like I did in my heart: Briar was my omega. He was meant for me. Mine.

“How did you know?” I whispered.

“Oh, Hal, we know you, son. And the way you looked at him, the tenderness in your voice… There was no doubt,” Lord Willoughby smiled.

“Oh,” I murmured. I didn’t think it was that obvious.

“Besides,” Kenneth chuckled. “One look at Briar was enough to know how smitten he is, too.”

Hope bloomed in my chest. “Really? You think so?”

They shared a look, then both nodded. It felt reassuring that they’d also been able to tell just by seeing me and Briar together.

When I didn’t say anything, they both looked at me with concerned expressions. “Oh dear, what is the matter, Hal?” Kenneth, who’d always been more direct, asked as he placed a hand on my shoulder. “We should be celebrating. You’ve found your omega, Hal!”

“Unless… Is he… is he already spoken for?” Lord Willoughby ventured. “I didn’t get the impression that he is, but…”

“No,” I whispered, wiping my hands across my face. “He is not spoken for.” I wanted to tell them the truth so desperately, but I didn’t want to betray Briar’s trust either. It was hard now when I stood facing the two people who’d taken me in and given me a home when no one else had wanted me.

“Then what is it, son?” Lord Willoughby coaxed. “You can tell us, you know that. Whatever it is.” I knew. Of course, I knew. They’d never once judged me or treated me like I was less because I was an alpha. They’d treated Gus and me like we mattered and were just as worthy as any omega.

I swallowed, my heart racing in my chest. I needed to tell them the truth because otherwise I couldn’t ask for their help. And I really needed it. I was so out of my depth here. “He’s cursed,” I murmured. “Briar is cursed.”

“Cursed!” they both gasped simultaneously, taking a step back, disbelief in their eyes. “What do you mean, cursed?” Kenneth asked, his face bathed in evident shock.

With a sigh, I went to my bed and dropped onto it, my shoulders slumped in defeat. “It’s a family curse. The second-born is the only one affected.” I looked up at my fathers, tears in my eyes. “Briar is dangerous… Any adult alpha Briar touches will die. I don’t know the specifics, but I saw the fear in Briar’s eyes when he told me, and I heard the sadness, too. He’s doomed to a life in solitude, deprived of touch and companionship. He—” my voice broke, and I buried my face in my hands. “He spends all his heats alone even though he knows it’ll eventually kill him.”

They both rushed to my side, dropping next to me, wrapping me in a hug from both sides. “Oh, Hal,” Kenneth whispered, then pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “That’s just awful. Poor child.” He hesitated. “But a curse? Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Why would anyone do that?!” Lord Willoughby boomed, his deep voice echoing off the walls of my room. “Curses are savage, inhuman, and they belong in the past!”

I looked up at him, then at Kenneth. “What can I do? I need to do something. I need to—”

“Hal!” Kenneth warned. “I’m afraid you don’t understand, son. Curses are dangerous. They are strong and forceful. That’s why hardly anyone uses them anymore.”

I jumped from the bed, pacing the room as I tugged at my hair. “But I need to do something! I can’t just abandon him. You need to help me! Please.”

They both stared at me, sadness in their eyes. “It’s too dangerous, Hal. We wouldn’t even know where to begin. If we could help you, we would.”