Page 33 of A Hal for my Heart

I nodded, then continued. “According to Father, I had to avoid all touch so I wouldn’t accidentally kill an innocent alpha. Then, when you returned from the country, bringing Hal with you, I accidentally shook his hand. I was horrified by my carelessness. Utterly ashamed. I waited for Hal to die a gruesome death, but he didn’t.” I sucked in another breath.

“Take your time, Briar,” Seb said.

“I was so confused. I didn’t understand what had happened, only that I wanted to be…” I gazed up at Hal, and his eyes pooled with tenderness. Limitless love emanated from his large body, and it gave me strength. “I just wanted to be close to Hal, even if it meant being at war with myself. Then, when my heat came, Hal helped me, although I’d told him about the curse. He didn’t care.”

I looked up at my beautiful alpha. “You didn’t care,” I sniffled.

“I only care about you, Briar,” he breathed.

“And you didn’t die,” I smiled.

“I didn’t die.”

“Oh gods,” Elias gasped, dabbing at his eyes. “You’re killing me. That’s the saddest, most romantic thing I’ve ever heard. Aside from me and Garreth, obviously.”

“But…” Seb began, looking truly confused. “Who cursed you? I thought curses were only used as punishments. Who would curse an innocent child?” His voice shook with anger.

“It’s a family curse,” I explained. “My father told me every second-born is affected, and that’s why I had to avoid all touch.”

“But Hal is special?” Seb was clearly trying to piece it all together.

“Yes. I mean, he must be.”

“I doubt the curse is real,” Hal grunted. “I do not doubt that your fear and your belief in it are real, Briar, but I’m no one special, so why wouldn’t it affect me? To me, it sounds like a pile of horseshit.”

Elias snorted.

“I have to agree with Hal,” Seb said. It looked like it physically pained my friend to admit that he agreed with Hal. “Perhaps Clive was wrong about the curse?”

“Yes,” Elias agreed. “I mean, have you… um, ever hurt anyone with the curse?”

“No,” I whispered, suddenly feeling like my breakfast was rebelling inside me. Could my father have lied? Or been mistaken?

“Your father was banished from the kingdom because of his deceit,” Seb reminded me. “But if it makes you feel safer avoiding alphas, then we’ll respect that.”

“Except me,” Hal added, shooting me a wink.

“Of course,” I blushed.

Seb cleared his throat. “I’m going to look into this curse thing, alright? I know you have Hal now, but I still want to see if there’s anything I can do. As I said, this all sounds very strange to me.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, suddenly feeling emotional. “I… I was so afraid you’d both turn away from me.” It physically hurt to admit my worst fear.

“Briar!” Elias gasped, his eyes filling with tears. “Oh, my sweet, sweet friend. We would never do that. Never.”

“Never,” Seb agreed. “I only wish you had told me sooner. It must’ve been an awful burden for you to carry alone.” Seb then looked at Hal. “I’m grateful Hal was able to gain your trust.”

My alpha just nodded, an adorable blush coating his cheeks.

“Thank you, Seb, Elias,” I said.

“Anything for you, Briar, you know that,” Seb smiled. “Anything else before we go back to work? As you see, there’s plenty of it.” He waved at the chaos of papers.

I stole a glance at Hal. “Well, there’s one other thing we both wish to discuss with you, if you have the time?”

“Oh gods, you are pregnant!” Elias squealed, clapping his hands.

I shook my head, chuckling. “No.” I looked at Hal. He cleared his throat, his respect for Seb evident in the most adorable way.