Page 38 of A Hal for my Heart

“So what you’re saying is that we should practice for two years and then Briar can start popping out babies?” I grinned like a fool.

Doctor Aron laughed. “Well, yes. Not exactly the words I would have used, but that pretty much sums it up. Anything else I can help you with today?”

I shook my head, my heart thumping with pure joy. “No. My life is perfect!” I squeezed Briar. “Right, sweetness?”

My sweet, silly omega just nodded against my chest, then sighed.

Chapter Seventeen

Briar

I was so happy it scared me. That was all I could think about as I slowly made my way through dinner. Hal and Gus were laughing amongst themselves, reminiscing about their honey-hunting adventures and how often they’d ended up empty-handed. When Adrian had calmly informed them that taking all the bees’ honey could kill them, Gus had looked so damn heartbroken that Adrian had to come up with a white lie for Gus to finish his food.

Adrian didn’t usually dine with us, but Seb had asked him to join us since he’d become close to Corin. It was sweet, really, seeing the two of them whisper amongst themselves as they shared their food.

“You don’t like your lamb chops?” Hal asked.

I smiled at him, unable to stop the fluttering in my belly. He was just so observant when it came to me and food, reminding me to get enough protein at each meal. Hal wanted me to be healthy and happy, and that meant more energy, which again meant more food.

“I do,” I assured him. The lamb was delicious, with a garlic sauce and some fresh green sprouts sprinkled on top. I couldn’t tell Hal I was too busy daydreaming to focus on my food, but now that he seemed a tad concerned, I dug in, cutting off a big piece and eating it with a bright smile aimed straight at my alpha. He beamed proudly and resumed cutting into his second piece of lamb.

Suddenly, the doors burst open, causing us all to startle. The guards stepped forward, but relaxed upon seeing Bailey, the royal courier. He rushed straight to Seb, kneeling in front of our king as he handed over a letter.

“It’s urgent, your Majesty,” he panted, his cheeks flushed with exertion.

Seb took the letter and eyed it with confusion, then opened it with a clean knife. He frowned as he read, then his eyes widened in evident shock before they found mine.

“It’s about Sin,” he finally said, just as I was about to faint from nerves.

“Is he okay?” I asked, feeling nauseous.

“I don’t know.” Seb’s jaw clenched with anger, his voice cold, but his eyes conveyed worry. Hal reached for my hand under the table and twined our fingers together. The warm comfort from his touch didn’t take away my fear, but it confirmed I wasn’t alone in this, no matter what had happened.

“What is it?” Elias asked, sounding both alarmed and intrigued. Gods, the whole table looked about ready to grab the letter and read it themselves.

“It says that your brother is being held captive and will only be returned to his alpha if you show up at the Sunmorrow Farm tonight, Briar. Alone.”

“Alone?!” Hal boomed. “No way Briar is going on his own!”

Alone.

The word settled within me. I’d been alone for most of my life, and I could do it again for a few hours if it meant Sin would be safe. I squeezed Hal’s hand, and his massive body vibrated with trepidation.

“Why would someone take Sin?” Elias asked.

“I have no idea,” Seb murmured, looking intensely at the letter. “But Hal is right. There’s no way Briar is going there alone.”

Before I could argue, Hal blurted, “Of course he isn’t!”

Seb continued, “I’ll have guards ride out and look for Sin. We don’t know who’s making demands, but we aren’t sending Briar out there to deal with their madness.”

“Wait,” I said, frowning at Seb. “I won’t be going at all?”

Seb looked like I was speaking nonsense. “Why in the heavens above would you go? There’s no reason for you to. Besides, it’s too dangerous. We don’t know what they want. Perhaps it’s an ambush.”

I was ready to argue that we’d risk putting Sin in danger if I didn’t go, but Seb was already busy talking to the royal guards, showing them which farm they were headed to.

“I don’t feel so good,” I whispered, a knot tightening in my stomach.