I've Got You

**MAX**
Jared and I arrive back at the packhouse well after everyone else has already gone to sleep. We spent an extra hour on the field discussing Blanca's duties. Jared agreed that Corlys shouldn't be the one in charge of her assignments and instead we decided to place her in the kitchen under Hilda. She would learn how to cook there and maybe she'd even end up serving at mealtimes.
I'd get to see her in one of those cute little dresses that the omegas wear at dinner.
*What are you thinking? Stop.*
But I can't help but picture it. Short little flare skirt, low-cut blouse, Blanca's curves, her luxurious hair swaying past her ass. It's enough to make my mouthwater. *And everyone else's too.*
Shaking off the thought, I head down the hall to check and see if Blanca's bed has been replaced. When I see that it has, a sliver of disappointment finds me. This means she can sleep in her room tonight. Then again... there are no blankets on the brand new twin sized bed. No bedding whatsoever. Not to mention that it's cooler in this space then it would be in any other part of the house. There's no heater in this room and at this time of year it can get unbearably cold.
"Huh. No windows," Jared says, sauntering into the room behind me. He meets my eyes. "Too bad. Blanca seemed to really enjoy the sunlight."
"There are windows in the kitchen, Jared. Besides, I can't risk her escaping," I point out. *Nor can I risk someone sneaking in to kill her.* "See to it that her bed is made more adequately comfortable by tomorrow night."
"Will do, *Alpha*," Jared snarks. "You never did tell me... whose innocence did they steal?"
I clench my jaw so tightly my teeth ache. "Whose do you think?"
Jared's muscles tighten and his dark eyes fill with anger. "Seriously?"
"Yes," I confirm.
Jared shakes his head. "I know you think she deserves to be punished, Max. I know she killed your brother and you're entitled to your hate, but-"
"Hate?" I snap, getting in his face. "Hate is what I *need* Jared. If the damn girl would just give me a reason to *hate* this would be so much easier."
Jared nods. "Maybe she was telling the truth about Drake. Have you ever thought of that?"
"Shut up!" I snap, backing away from him. "Don't!"
"Fine," Jared sighs. "Where is she now? She can stay in my living room tonight. That way she doesn't have to sleep in this cold, lonely space on her first night here."
I bite down, working to control the sudden anger that erupts all over my body. "She's taken care of for the night."
Jared studies me. "Is she? Like she was last night?"
I don't answer him. "Goodnight Beta Jared. See you in the morning."
Then I leave him, taking the backstairs to my suite. The moment I step inside and lock the door, I hear her crying. My body tenses for a fight as I immediately imagine the worst, but the moment I turn around, I see that she's fast asleep on my couch, a book open on her chest and her legs drawn beneath her.
Her body is trembling, her lip quivering. I study her, watching in fascination as she whimpers in her sleep. Something folds into my chest and I'm left to wonder if this is how she sleeps when she's alone. Because last night, I lay awake a good hour after she passed out and not once did she stir. She appeared to sleep so peacefully that I found myself jealous of her quiet. But now...
I sigh, reaching down to remove the book from her chest and freezing when I read the title. *'My Secret Mate'*. Of course. She *would* decide to read something like this.
Closing the damn thing, I set it on the coffee table, my eyes catching on the couple of buttons at the top of her dress that have somehow come undone. Her chest heaves with her every breath and I somehow tear myself away from the sight without losing anymore of my dignity. Retrieving a blanket from the hall closet, I spread it over her, smiling when she snuggles into it. Shutting off the light, I retreat into my bedroom and hop in the shower.
When finished, I step out of my bathroom with only a towel wrapped around my waist only to hear her crying again. This time she doesn't just whimper. Her body spasms and her mouth opens, a distorted scream escaping her lips. I act without thinking, lifting her into my arms and cradling her against my chest before I realize what I'm doing.
Her soft cheek against my flesh sends a wave of pleasure through me and I find myself holding her closer.
"M-Max," she whimpers, snuggling into my bare chest. "I-Is it you?"
"Hush," I whisper. "It's me. I've got you."
She cries into my shoulder, sobs racking her body and Goddess help me, my heart stings with pain. I don't know what dream troubles her, but I stalk back toward my bedroom with her in my arms intent on finding out. She's hiccuping into me, her gentle arms wrapping tight around my neck as I sit with her on my side of the bed. Rocking her like I might do a small child, I stroke one hand over her back soothingly.
"Nightmare?" I ask, quietly.
She nods and I shudder when she buries her face in the side of my throat.
"Need I ask?"
She shakes her head, no. "I'm s-so gl-glad it w-was y-you. S-so glad."
"Do you want me to hold you for a while, angel?" I ask, knowing how stupid it is for me to call her that out loud, but she doesn't seem to notice it.
"P-Please," she begs, whimpering as her sobs start up again.
I'm almost at a loss as I allow her to snuggle close, caressing her back until her breathing evens out. Drawing the covers low on my bed, I force her arms from around my neck, shushing her gently when she begins to whimper again, then I lay her gently in the center. She peers up at me with hazy blue eyes, red-rimmed and full of longing. I want to kiss her so badly in that moment, but of course. I don't. Instead, I switch off the lamp and climb into bed next to her, drawing her into my arms and pressing her head into my chest as I pull the covers up around us.
"Sleep, Blanca," I whisper. "I've got you."
She feels perfect here, in the crook of my arms. Warmth engulfs me everywhere we touch and soon I find myself pulling her even closer, smiling when I feel the smooth skin of one leg stretch across my waist.
*This is how we were meant to be. Nothing has ever felt so right.*
A foolish thought to have as I fall asleep with nothing but a towel covering my waist.