Page 42 of A Hal for my Heart

“I agree,” Seb said.

“Oh, gods, no. My poor brother,” Sin cried against his alpha’s chest. “It’s all my fault.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Gus said. “We shall gather a rescue party, and we will leave immediately.” Clasping my shoulder, my best friend looked at me. “We will find him, Hal.”

Sin looked at us questioningly, tears clinging to his lashes. My heart ached at how much he resembled Briar and how much I missed my mate. “Are you…?” Sin whispered.

“I’m Briar’s mate,” I confirmed, pride rising in my chest. “My name is Hal, and I’m Gus’ best friend, and Briar is my—” my voice shook.

Sin flew from the chair. “Briar has a mate?” Tears welled in his eyes again. He held out his hand to me, and I grabbed it. “Hal, is it? I wish we could’ve met under different circumstances, but it’s good to meet you nonetheless.” Sin searched my face. “Will you help me? Will you bring my brother back?”

I nodded furiously. “I swear it. I will. I’ll bring Briar home to us.” I hesitated. “If I only knew where they took him.”

“The letter mentioned the Sunmorrow Farm. That Briar was to go there alone,” Seb said.

Sin and Martin both paled, then Sin whispered, “The Sunmorrow Farm? Surely not.”

“Yes,” I said. “That’s what the letter said. Of course, we told Briar not to go alone, but did he listen, my silly omega?”

“But…” Sin clutched his chest. “The Sunmorrow Farm burned down a decade ago. There’s nothing left but ruins and…”

“And the old caretaker’s cottage,” Martin nodded. “It’s been abandoned since the fire. Perhaps…”

Hope sparked in my chest. Perhaps. The concept of losing Briar didn’t exist in my world. It couldn’t. There was no light without him, without my beautiful Briar, my shy little butterfly. There was no alpha without the omega. As sure as the sun rose in the east and set in the west, it was a universal truth. There was no me without him.

“Then let’s go at once!” I boomed, already rushing from the room.

“Gus, gather more men now!” I heard Seb. “Martin, you’re coming with us, and Sin, you’ll stay here.”

“But—”

“No buts. You are with child, Sin. Hal, go get Adrian and ask him and Corin to get the horses ready!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” I called out over my shoulder as I ran down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. And I felt it then, the bond. It was still there, pulsing with life, love, and hope.

I’m coming, Briar. Stay strong, sweetness. I’m coming to bring you home.

Chapter Nineteen

Briar

My body was a shivering mess as I waited in the darkness. I should be relieved that they left me, but that old feeling of being abandoned took hold of me again. I really should’ve predicted my father was behind all of this, but some naïve part of me still hoped he wasn’t as bad as I remembered him to be.

I had only myself to blame as the cold, damp ground seeped into my behind, reminding me just how careless and foolish I’d been. Had I truly thought I could save Sin? That weak little me would be able to just show up here and make everything right? I almost scoffed loudly at myself. I wasn’t the savior type. I was the one who needed saving, and because I’d forgotten that, my poor Hal must now be worried out of his mind.

Gods… what if he couldn’t forgive me for this? I’d run away, going against his wishes. I’d gone behind his back and abandoned him, well-knowing that being left behind was still an open wound from his past. What if he showed up here only to tell me he could never forgive me? That I was too selfish. That I only took and never gave. I held my arms around my legs, silently crying in the dark. If I made it safely out of here, I’d grovel at my alpha’s feet. I’d never leave his sight ever again. I would be the best omega, everything Hal deserved and more. Because without Hal…

The door upstairs suddenly slammed open, silencing a sob in my throat. Heavy footsteps pounded on top of me, then the latch was torn open, spilling just the tiniest amount of light into my confinement.

“Briar!” Father whisper-shouted.

Had he come to save me? Was this all a big misunderstanding? It had to be; why else would he be whispering and clearly helping me escape. I crawled as fast as I could to the opening, then accepted his hand as he pulled me out of the darkness.

Once I was standing on the floor next to him, he grabbed my arm and started dragging me toward the door. Not once did he meet my eyes, making me rethink the whole saving thing. Everything happened so quickly that my mind had trouble keeping up. Father’s grip around my wrist was bordering on painful, and I wished he’d look at me just once. Then he’d see how frightened I was.

Before we reached the open door, two guards rushed inside, making Father halt his steps.

“Stay away!” he shouted, his nails biting into my skin. My mind was all fuzzy. I recognized the guards from the palace, and then I felt it: something cold and hard against my throat, gracing my skin.