Page 26 of Saved By The King's Gamma

“He didn’t deserve to be your mate,” he says quietly. “You deserve more than someone who hurt you. Someone who made you feel like you are less.” His voice softens even more, his tone turning hesitant, as if he’s afraid of what he’s about to say next. “I love you, Abbie,” he says softly. “I loved you before Kade, and I love you now. Nothing he did could change that.”

I don’t know how to reply to that, if he truly means it or is just saying that so I don’t freak out in the car while the king clearly struggles with himself. I close my eyes, letting myself sink into his warmth, his strength. I want to believe him. I want to hold onto his words and let them heal the parts of me that feel shattered beyond repair. But it’s hard. Too hard.

I don’t say anything else. I just let myself stay there, resting against Gannon as the car continues down the dark road.

But that fragile moment of peace doesn’t last.

Suddenly, Kyson’s body stiffens, and the tension in the car shifts dramatically. His breathing grows louder, more labored, and I glance toward him just in time to see his pupils dilate and his canines slip down from his gums. The air inside the car grows thick, almost suffocating as his aura rushes out.

“The windows,” he growls in a voice so guttural it sends a chill down my spine. Damian and Gannon react immediately, rolling down the windows without hesitation. I sit stiffly on Gannon’s lap, watching Kyson with growing worry. He’s trying so hard to hold himself together, but it’s obvious he’s on the verge of losing that fight. Azalea is limp in his arms, too still for my comfort, and my heart clenches at the sight of her.

I shift slightly, leaning forward to reach for her, but before I can touch her, a vicious, feral snarl rips from Kyson’s throat. I jerk back in shock, and Gannon tightens his grip on me, pulling me securely against him.

“She is safe, but she is in heat; you need to stay still; you can’t touch her when she is like that when he is near,” Gannon whispers in my ear, his voice low.

“But…” I start, my voice trembling as I stare at Azalea in concern.

“No, Abbie,” Gannon cuts me off gently but insistently. “I know you’re worried, but right now, the king isn’t safe to be around. Don’t provoke him while she is in that state.”

I force myself to stay still, though it’s agonizing not to do something. I sniff the air slightly, and a strange, heady scent hits me, making my nose wrinkle instinctively. It’s so strong, almost overpowering. I glance at Kyson again. His jaw is clenched tightly, his entire body tense as if it’s taking every ounce of his willpower not to act on whatever urges are clawing at him.

The rest of the ride is tense and quiet, the only sounds coming from the wind outside the open windows and Kyson’s heavy breathing. It feels like hours before we finally pull into the driveway. As soon as we stop, Gannon wastes no time opening the door and helping me out of the car. I’m relieved to be outside, but that relief is short-lived when Liam appears, his expression serious.

“The boys?” Gannon asks immediately, and I stare at Gannon wondering what he is talking about.

“Clarice has them. They are both tucked away in their beds, safe,” Liam answers. Damian clears his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to the car. I move closer wondering why he hasn’t got out of the car with Azalea yet. “Kyson, where do you want me to put Dustin?” Damian asks the king.

I stiffen slightly at the mention of Dustin, my eyes darting to Kyson who I can just make out inside the car. I know how close Azalea and Dustin are, but right now, Kyson doesn’t look like the king I know, he looks dangerous, unhinged, a predator barely holding himself back.

“My King, I’m not making excuses for him; he did the wrong thing, but…” Liam starts to say wandering closer to the car, but Kyson’s sharp growl cuts him off. Liam presses his lips together tightly, not saying another word. I can tell Liam is protective of Dustin, but it’s clear Kyson’s patience is thin.

Damian steps closer, one hand on the car door, lowering his voice. “You know it wouldn’t have been a deliberate act of putting her in harm’s way,” he says carefully. “Just think of Azalea’s reaction before you act, My King. You know she won’t be happy if you hurt him.”

“He needs to be punished,” Kyson mutters darkly, and I shiver at the cold finality in his tone and glance at Gannon nervously, surely he wouldn’t hurt his own guard, right?

Damian nods, though he doesn’t look pleased. “He does, but maybe sleep on it tonight and clear your head before deciding what that punishment should be. Dungeons? Or am I sending him to his room?”

“Fuck!” Kyson curses under his breath, clearly torn.

“His room. I will deal with him tomorrow,” Kyson finally says, though it’s obvious he’s far from happy about it. Damian gives a brief nod of acknowledgement and starts walking away to handle Dustin, but Kyson remains where he is, frozen in place.

I watch him closely, noticing the sheen of sweat on his forehead and the rigid way he’s holding himself. He hasn’t moved from the car, and something about his expression makes my stomach knot with unease.

“My King?” Damian asks cautiously, holding the door open.

“I can’t move,” Kyson grits out, his voice strained.

I feel Gannon tense beside me, and even Damian looks momentarily uncertain. None of us know what to do. Kyson looks on the verge of losing control, and the last thing anyone wants is for him to snap.

“Right, I um… I can take her,” Damian offers hesitantly, though it’s clear he’s not confident in that suggestion.

There’s a long, tense silence before Kyson speaks, his voice low and hoarse. “Please ask Dustin to come take her.”

The tension in the air is almost unbearable, but Damian doesn’t hesitate to get Dustin, but I don’t see where from, my focus on the car.

“You should head inside,” Gannon tells me nudging me toward the doors of the castle, his hand on my lower back, we barely step inside when we freeze hearing Damian’s panicked voice.

“Kyson!” Damian calls out. Gannon rushes back out and I stand in the doorway watching in horror. Damian is struggling to hold the king who has collapsed, Gannon and Liam are quick to help while Dustin is clutching Azalea’s limp body.

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