Page 124 of The Stone Secret
“Don’t. Don’t spoil it. Tell me something about you. About your time as a cadet or your life with Farnell. Or…what was it like for you as a child before…”
His gaze took on a misty look. “It was happy. I was happy. Innocent. Lucky that my omega mother lived with us. That we had the illusion of a real family. She used to take me for walks every day to feed the birds. She loved birds. There was a garden close to our home filled with them. Every color imaginable. It was as if they were attracted to that place. To her.” His smile was soft, his expression faraway, lost in the memories. “We’d sit on the same bench every time, and she’d read to me surrounded by all the beautiful birds and she’d say, ‘One day you’ll be able to fly, just like them.’”
“Wait…can omegas fly?”
“No. Omega’s don’t shift. Their bodies are made for procreation.”
“And your mother…she went onto the front lines?”
His smile was filled with pride. “Yes. She did.” His gaze swept over my face. “Everyone considered her weak, but she proved them wrong, again and again, just like you do, Cameron. I know that she would have loved you.”
I would have loved to know the woman who’d sired such an amazing male. Resilient, a survivor. “She sounds wonderful.”
“She was. What about you? Tell me about your childhood.”
“When I was little, my mother worked six days a week. She’d come home every night exhausted, make supper, then fall asleep on the sofa. But on Sunday…” I sighed, recalling the feeling of a Sunday morning with my mother. “On Sunday, my mother would bake. I’d sit at the table with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk and watch her work. Sometimes I’d help, but mostly I’d listen to her talk. She had a beautiful voice. She’d tell me stories while she cooked. Afterwards, we’d snuggle on the sofa and watch our favorite cartoon tapes. Sunday was the best day because on Sunday, she was all mine.” Gods, I missed her.
Serath reached across the table and took my hand. “I would have been honored to know her.”
“Here you go.” The waitress placed a tray on our table. “Enjoy.”
We spent the next half hour drinking hot chocolate, eating scones, and chatting about anything and everything. Being with Serath felt easy. It felt right.
I polished off my final scone with a satisfied groan. “Delicious.”
“You have powder on your cheeks,” Serath said with a smile. He reached out to brush it away, his fingers lingering at the corner of my mouth.
His touch stole my breath.
“You have powder on your mouth too,” he said gruffly.
I licked my lips, and he made a soft sound, part distress, part yearning, because if this was real, we’d be going home to bed. Skin to skin, satiating the need between us. If this was real, there’d be no barrier, and he would kiss me right now.
He exhaled softly as if reading my thoughts and leaned in.
Oh gods, he was going to do it. He was going to kiss me.
“Serath?” A female voice called out.
Serath sat back in his seat, his expression shuttering.
The goyle strode toward us, another two goyles in tow. They were dressed in alpha team colors of gray and silver. My heart sank because could this be—
“Jana, what are you doing here?” Serath asked warmly.
“Outpost Ten respite. We have an evening off.”
“You should have let me know.” Serath pushed back his seat and stood.
“Oh?” Jana’s smile was flirtatious and pretty. “And what would you have done?”
Serath smiled, the slow burn smile that usually made my panties wet, but now, when aimed at someone else, left me dry as the Sahara.
Jana lifted her chin, eyes lighting up with expectation.
The scones and hot chocolate I’d consumed churned in my belly while my beast pressed against my skin, begging to be let out. Begging to defend what was ours.
“And who is this?” Jana finally looked my way.
