Page 41 of Trapped By the Cartel

The truth of his words stung. I had been distant. Distracted. Lost in my own internal battles, I'd failed to see the toll it was taking on him.

"I've been busy," I offered lamely, knowing how inadequate it sounded.

"Busy?" Elliot's voice rose slightly, a flicker of anger igniting in his eyes. "Busy ignoring me? Busy avoiding any realconnection? Busy pretending like everything is fine when it clearly isn't?"

He was right, of course. I was a master of deflection, of burying my emotions beneath layers of duty and control. But Elliot saw through it all. He always did.

"I didn't want to burden you with my problems," I admitted. "With the pack, with the Serpents… I didn't want to add to your stress."

"Burden me?" Elliot scoffed. "Damon, we're partners. We're supposed to share these things. I want to know what's going on in your head, what's weighing you down. I want to be there for you, just as I know you want to be there for me."

His words were a balm to my wounded pride, a gentle reminder of the bond we shared. But it wasn't enough. Not yet.

"It's more than just the pack," I confessed, my gaze dropping to our intertwined hands. "It's… it's the responsibility. The fear. I lost an omega before, Elliot. I lost a child. I can't… I can't bear the thought of losing either of you."

The silence that followed was suffocating. I braced myself for his anger, his accusations, but they didn't come. Instead, he squeezed my hand, his touch warm and reassuring.

"You won't," he said softly. "I'm not going anywhere, Damon. And neither is Stellan."

He shifted slightly, adjusting Stellan in his arms. "But you have to let me in. You have to let me share the weight with you. I'm not some fragile flower who needs to be protected. I'm a capable, intelligent omega. And I'm your partner."

His words resonated deep within me, stripping away the layers of guilt and self-doubt that had been suffocating me for weeks. He was right. I had been treating him like porcelain, afraid to touch him, to truly connect with him for fear of breaking something.

"I know," I said. "I'm sorry. I've been a fool."

He smiled, a genuine, heart-stopping smile that reached his eyes. "You're a stubborn, overprotective fool," he corrected. "But you're my fool."

I chuckled, relief flooding through me. "And you're my omega."

"And our son's father," he added, his gaze drifting towards Stellan. "Which means we have a lot of work to do. This isn't just about us anymore."

He was right. Stellan had changed everything. He'd brought a new level of responsibility to our lives. It was daunting, terrifying even, but also… exhilarating.

"What do you want?" I asked. "What do you need from me?"

Elliot considered my question for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. "I want you to be present," he said finally. "Not just physically, but emotionally. I want you to talk to me, to share your fears and your hopes. I want you to remember that I'm not just a baby-bearer, but a person. A partner. A lover."

"And I want you to stop trying to fix everything yourself," he continued. "Let me help. Let me be your strength when you're weak. Let me be your anchor when you're lost."

I nodded, my heart swelling with love and gratitude. "I will," I promised. "I will try my best."

Chapter 19

Elliot

With Stellan fed and drowsy once more, I carefully shifted him onto his back, arranging his blankets just so. His tiny hands twitched slightly as he settled into sleep, a soft coo escaping his lips.

"All tucked in," I whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead before straightening up. Turning to face Damon, I found him watching me with an unreadable expression.

"You've got a real way with him," he murmured, taking a step closer. The warmth radiating from him made me acutely aware of how cold I felt inside without him nearby.

"He's easy to please," I replied softly, brushing past him towards the door. "Come on, let's leave him to sleep."

In the hallway, I couldn't help but glance back one last time, ensuring our son was indeed fast asleep. Satisfied, I turned to find Damon standing right behind me, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that sent a jolt of desire coursing through me.

His hand reached out, tracing the line of my jaw, sending shivers down my spine. "You look beautiful like this," he murmured. "Soft, caring…"

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. "And you look… dangerous," I countered, my gaze dropping to his full lips. "Like trouble waiting to happen."

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