Page 82 of The Rejected Omega

Connor chuckles.

“Your classes, too. Whatever will Dr. Craven think?”

“Oh my god.”

“Relax. I called and emailed everyone. They know you’re taking the week.”

It was a bit embarrassing that they all knew I was out on heat leave—like telling your gym teacher you couldn’t participate because of your period cramps, but way worse. But I’d never been out for heat leave before. They couldn’t bitch about it. Well, Francine could, but with the cat out of the bag I could finally quit the grill. Maybe I'd just never go back.

God, could I finally stop taking so many suppressants?

“I can smell the cogs smoking from here. What are you worrying about?”

“The future.”

“Don’t. It’s going to be okay. I’m here now.”

Connor cuddles me and pets my hair until the haze of heat pulls me back under.

“Thank you.”

After bitinghim and coming completely undone on his knot, I fall into a restless sleep on Connor’s chest.

When I wake up again, I’m on my pillow. I grope across the bed for him, too tired to open my eyes. But my hands don't find him.

My eyes snap open, and I glance around the room. Nothing. No sign of him.

I check the bathroom, then stumble through my apartment. The anxious void inside me stretches wide, threatening to devour all of my happiness.

He can’t be gone. He just can’t be. Please, don’t be gone.

My gut cramps as I turn the corner to the kitchen, and I whimper and fall to my hands and knees.

Then Connor’s there, lifting me into his lap and holding me.

“Lana. What’s wrong, baby? You smell like fear. Are you hurt?”

“Connor?”

“It’s me. I’m here.”

“I thought you left me. That I was alone again.”

“I came to fix you some food. You were asleep.” His expression is perplexed.

I barely register his words. My emotions are on a hair trigger right now, and the tears come fast and hard. “When I woke up and you weren’t there— What's wrong with me? Why do you always leave? Why don’t you want me?"

He pulls my face into his chest and runs his hand down the back of my head. “Shh. I do want you—so much. You have me. You have me.”

The tears start to stream down my cheeks, and I hiccup.

The fridge door is still open behind Connor, its light weak in the gloom of the kitchen. A carton of eggs sits unopened on the counter.

I burrow deeper into his chest. “Don’t leave me. I can’t lose you again.” He knows I’m not talking about disappearing to the kitchen. His absence just woke up a deeper wound. One that may never fully heal.

He smooths my hair behind my ear.

His voice is rough when he speaks. “Never. You’ll never have to suffer like that again. I’m here, now and forever. I’m not going anywhere, baby. You have me.”

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