Page 111 of Queen of Diamonds

I had to do more. I didn’t know how to stop. Every time my skin brushed hers, her breathing would settle, but I hadn’t done enough, not yet.

That dress was his. I didn’t want her waking in it.

He would never touch her again, of that, I was sure.

I tugged my shirt off, scent marking it. The faintest trace of roses and redwood remained, but I would drown it. Lifting her gently, I used my knife to cut the dress free without moving her too much.

I was almost finished when my fingers brushed the scars on her back. She tensed, brow furrowing, her whine rising in the air between us.

I froze.

She was shaking, another panicked sound slipping from her.

“No… Sweet Oasis.” My chest was tight, panic catching up as tears began leaking down her cheeks. “You’re safe.” With shaking fingers I drew the T-shirt down, leaning close and drawing my jaw along hers, scent marking her again.

Her tears hadn’t stopped.

I knew what the scars were, now. I’d seen them when Zed had dragged her into the truck. That image would never leave me.

“She’d say the same three words, over and over and over…”

She’d called for us.

Her pack.

Her mates.

I broke, at last, my own tears blurring my vision as I trembled, throat tightening as I curled up at her side and held her tight.

I will never let you fall…

How many times had I promised her that?

But when my Omega had called for me, I hadn’t been there.

38

ZED

Iwoke in a pack-sized bed, to find Glade in my arms.

For a very long time, I remained still, trying to process everything that had happened.

Knight was on her other side, and even asleep, his expression was drawn, one arm around her as if he didn’t know what else to do. Kyan had been in here, too. His autumn persimmon scent hung heavy in the room.

I remained still, reality seeping in like spilled ink, turning the world dark, despite the light filtering through sheer curtains.

We were safe—I thought, anyway. I was groggy, and sleep came and went and time didn’t make much sense.

I awoke properly at her distress. Knight had left now—it was just her and me, and she was restless. I drew her closer, instincts guiding me, even as I realised how little I deserved to be the one to do this.

My breathing relaxed as she did.

Was this real? Or was I dreaming again?

She was so fucking beautiful, so perfect. She deserved better.

I’d failed her.

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