Page 25 of A Hal for my Heart

Nial recovered, shooting daggers at me, but I only had eyes for the huge alpha who’d just claimed me in public. “I’m… I’m your omega?” I whispered, fisting the collar of his shirt, and there it was again, that needy little creature that lived inside me. “Really?”

Fondness and surprise pooled in Hal’s eyes, every trace of annoyance gone. “Of course you are, silly.” He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against the tip of my nose. “Did you think you’d get rid of me this easily?”

I swallowed. “No, but I didn’t…” I shook my head, fighting back the tears.

“You didn’t what, sweetness?”

“I wasn’t… sure if you wanted to keep me,” I whispered, letting out the ugly truth. Hal’s eyes filled with sorrow, like he understood better than anyone what I meant. And, of course, he did. He, too, had once been unwanted and abandoned. His body remembered that feeling because it never went away. It lived permanently inside you.

“Of course I want to keep you, Briar. You are mine, aren’t you? My omega. Mine to—” His voice broke, his eyes becoming watery. “To love? If you’ll have me.”

“I do!” I blurted, then buried my face against his chest, breathing him in. He smelled like summer fields after a rain shower. Like sunshine and warm hay. Like everything that was good and safe in this world. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything in my life. I was his. There was no doubt in my heart.

Chapter Twelve

Hal

Once I’d fed Briar, I carried him back toward his chambers. I supposed they were now mine, too. My poor omega fell asleep in my arms, snuggled up against me as he fisted my shirt. I loved having him close. The small, contented sounds coming from him were like music to my once-lonely soul. I’d dreaded the withdrawal after the closeness I’d felt with Briar during his heat, but just like the curse hadn’t struck me, the need to reject me hadn’t come either. I didn’t know why, but perhaps all the years where he’d been deprived of human touch had left his body starving for it. In any case, I was thrilled because Briar rejecting me would’ve been pure torture. This way, we could start living our lives together right away.

I’d agreed with Stefano that he’d make some tea for Briar to soothe his stomach. I suspected that Briar’s stomachache stemmed from not being bred. But as much as I’d wanted to, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I knew I wanted children with Briar—an entire flock—but I didn’t want to breed him without his consent. Since Briar’s heat had come out of nowhere, there had been no time for us to talk about children. Heck, I hadn’t even confessed my love for him before his heat. It wouldn’t be fair of me to breed him when he was not in his right mind. I loved and respected Briar too much to do that. It had taken all my strength to hold back, especially when he’d begged me for it. His womb had been right there! At least I’d knotted him, and that had been everything, knowing my seed was locked inside him.

His next heat, on the other hand… You better believe I was going to breed a baby or two into my sweet omega. Mine. I tugged Briar closer against me, breathing him in. His scent awakened a renewed hunger in me, but he needed to rest. I could be patient. I couldn’t believe I’d found my omega. I’d dreamt of him over the years, longed for him, but he’d remained faceless and nameless in the shadows. I’d never imagined he’d be this lovely, this precious, this… I had no words. He was just perfect for me.

I think he still doubted me a little, but luckily, time was on my side. I was going to break down all his walls and love the heck out of my sweet little Briar until he believed me. I was going to love bomb him until all remnants of doubt and insecurity were banished from his mind. I lived for his smiles and the way his face transformed, becoming alight when he laughed. It was my purpose now to make Briar laugh. And claiming him again and again.

When we reached Briar’s room, the door was open, and my few belongings were placed on the bed. At least Nial hadn’t set them on fire. It was still strange giving servants orders, but as one of the royal advisors, I was allowed to do so. I still couldn’t believe Seb had given me this role, but I gathered it was to show everyone how serious he was about alphas and omegas being equals. It was a thoughtful gesture, actually, and I knew it mattered to Gus. To be honest, I found it a little boring, and I missed the farm and the joy physical labor brought me, but when Seb asked me, I couldn’t say no. I was still a little uncertain when it came to Seb, but I saw how happy he made my best friend, and I had no doubt Seb would walk through fire to protect Gus and the twins.

And in that way, Seb and I were similar. Because I would, too. I’d endure any kind of pain to keep Briar and our future children safe. I’d lay down my life for them. It was part of my alpha nature. To protect, to shelter, to keep them safe from harm.

Briar stirred in my arms, then yawned. His eyes remained closed, and I decided he needed to sleep some more before we talked. I walked toward the bed, but when I tried to ease him down, he clung to me, whimpering in his sleep. The servants had changed the bedding, but our combined scents still clung to the furniture, the curtains, the carpets. The remnants of our heat were everywhere. I reached for one of Briar’s fluffy blankets and sniffed it. I could smell myself instantly. Disentangling Briar’s fingers from my shirt, I replaced it with the blanket and tucked it around his body. He murmured something I couldn’t make out, a frown appearing between his eyebrows, and I nearly aborted my mission. Then his cute little nose wiggled, and a contented sigh left him as he snuggled up against the blanket. Victory!

I didn’t want to leave Briar, but he needed to rest, and I had to find Gus. I needed to know how to be the best alpha possible for my sweet Briar, and Gus was the only one I knew who had experience with that.

Outside, I ran into Stefano, who was carrying a tray with tea and fruit. I held my index finger to my lips, then gestured at the door. Stefano smiled knowingly, then nodded. Placing the tray on the floor next to the door, he proceeded to grab my hand and shake it furiously.

“Thank you, Alpha Hal,” he said, his eyes spilling over with emotion.

“For what?”

“For seeing how much our Briar needed you. For—” His voice broke. “For not letting him convince you that he isn’t worth it. Because he is.”

“I know,” I said, swallowing back the lump in my throat. I squeezed Stefano’s hand back. “Thank you for being a good friend to him and taking care of him until I could.”

“Of course, Alpha Hal. It was my great honor.” He gave me a curt nod, then released my hand and rushed off. I inhaled deeply, then rested my ear against the door, listening carefully. Everything was quiet on the other side, my sweet Briar all snuggled up, resting.

I found Gus at the stables with Adrian, the twins sleeping soundly in a small stroller. It looked handcrafted and super comfy. Maybe my crafty bestie could make one for me and Briar too, when the time came.

“Hal!” Gus called out as soon as he saw me. There was an unspoken question in his eyes, but when I smiled back at him, he seemed to relax. “Are you…? Is Briar…?”

“The heat is over,” I exclaimed, feeling a blush creep across my cheeks.

“And?” Adrian gestured for me to go on. I tried to school my face, but I couldn’t contain the excitement that bubbled inside me.

“And it was everything! Briar is everything.” My chest squeezed, too many emotions swirling around all at once. “He’s my omega,” I whispered. “He is mine.”

“Congratulations!” Adrian gushed while Gus engulfed me in a crushing hug.

“Oh, gods. Hal, I’m so happy for you.” He patted my back, sniffling against my neck. We stood like that for a little while, and when I eased him away from me, I noticed his eyes were moist.