Page 35 of Dragon's Revenge

ChapterFourteen

As much as Delton admired Adar for being so passionate and determined to free the omegas held by the Murphys, he was also worried. Maybe even more because Delton and Oliver would be staying behind. There was little a psychologist could contribute to a mission like that. Delton felt powerless and even a little useless, and he hated it.

“I don’t like this,” Oliver whispered as if reading Delton’s mind. “I want to go with him, even though I know I wouldn’t be any help.”

Oliver had been asked to participate—his skills as a scientist might come in handy—but he had refused, fearing being back in the place where he’d suffered such brutal abuse would trigger him and render him useless, maybe even a liability. Delton had agreed with that decision, but he knew it couldn’t have been easy for Oliver to make it.

They stood with the others staying behind as the two groups got ready. One would be heading for the Murphys, the other spreading out and encircling their pack land to ensure no one attacked them. Sivney had assured them they didn’t have any evidence an attack was imminent, but they wanted to be prepared just in case, which Delton could only applaud and appreciate.

Delton reached for Oliver’s hand, threading their fingers together. Funny how natural that felt, despite everything that had happened. “I know, I don’t like it either. But we’ll keep each other company until he’s back, hmm?”

Oliver’s eyes widened. “You’ll stay with me?”

Of course he would, but when Delton opened his mouth to reassure Oliver, it hit him that it was anything but obvious. Considering their history, it shouldn’t have been, so why had he not hesitated? “Yeah, I will. We can worry about him together.”

Oliver swallowed. “You’re worried about him?”

He shouldn’t reveal this much. By being this honest and vulnerable, he was asking to be hurt again, and yet he couldn’t help himself. Lying and pretending were so not his style, and if nothing else, he respected his mates too much to…

His mind came to a screeching halt.

Wait, what?

His…mates?

For fuck’s sake,nowhe received that elusive confirmation he’d been desperately seeking for so long?

“Delton?” Oliver asked hesitantly. “Are you okay?”

No, he wasn’t, but at the same time, nothing had ever felt so right. He was confused and relieved and happy and so damn angry all at once. Why hadn’t he known it before? Why had fate not let him know before everything had blown up in his face? If it had, if he’d had this deep sense before, he could’ve prevented so much pain for all of them.

But as much as he wanted to rant and rail about that, now was not the time. He’d have to work through those emotions later. Right now, Adar was about to leave, and Delton couldn’t let him, not without knowing the truth. He tugged on Oliver’s hand. “I need to talk to Adar. Come with me.”

Oliver didn’t protest, though confusion was painted all over his face as he walked with Delton to where Adar stood. The big alpha was exchanging some last-minute advice with Bray and Gregor, who would be in charge of the defense of the packs and the clan.

“I need to talk to you,” Delton said.

Bray frowned. “Can it wait? They’re about to leave.”

Delton didn’t even hesitate. “No. It needs to be now.”

Adar held up a hand to Bray. “Give me a moment.”

Bray muttered something, but he stepped back and walked over to Blair.

“What’s wrong?” Adar asked Delton. “You look…agitated.”

Well, he’d certainly picked up on that emotion correctly. Adar had become more perceptive, something he’d worked hard on over the last few weeks, Delton had noticed. Again, something they’d have to discuss later. “I need to tell you something, and you’ll have to forgive me for the timing, which is not ideal, I know, but I literally didn’t realize it until now, and I didn’t want to let you go without knowing, in case…” He swallowed, the thought too ghastly to finish. “Let’s not go there. But you need to know.”

Adar paled. “Don’t tell me you’re leaving the pack. Please, Delton. Stay. Give me a chance to win your heart, to prove to you I can be the man you need, that you deserve. I hurt you, and nothing I say will ever make up for that, but I’m so sorry, and I vow to never do it again. All I want is time. Time to show you that we belong together, you, me, and Oliver. I know we can be good together if you give us a chance…”

Delton stared at him. Had he ever seen Adar this distressed? This almost panicked, to the point where he was rambling and word-vomiting? He’d never heard the man cram so many words into such a short time, which was strangely endearing and worrying at the same time. Also, it proved how genuinely stressed out he was at the thought of Delton leaving. It was…sweet. Heartwarming. And also somehow arousing, though Delton had no clue why.

“I’m not leaving.”

Adar blinked. “You’re not?”

“No. Quite the opposite, in fact.”

---