Page 69 of Fated Alpha Baby

“I don’t want to, either, Conan,” I admit with a sigh as I lean my head on his chest.

“Will you sleep in my bedroom tonight?” he asks, prompting me to look up at his face. “We don’t have to do anything. I just want to hold you.”

I smile softly and nod. “I’d like that.”

“Good,” Conan returns my smile as he lifts my hand to his lips. “I have eight years to make up for, and I’d like to start right now.”

With that, he leads me to his bedroom, and for the first time, I’m not afraid that he won’t be next to me when I wake up tomorrow morning.

***

The next morning, I wake up before sunrise.

For a brief moment, disoriented by the warmth surrounding me, I forget where I am. Then the steady rise and fall of Conan’s chest beneath my cheek reminds me.

I’m in his bed.

In his arms.

And unlike eight years ago, he’s still here.

A strange sense of peace settles over me as I lie there, listening to his heartbeat. It’s strong. Steady. Familiar. The same heartbeat that soothed me during the battle at Milford. The same heartbeat that thundered through the mate bond when he thought I was in danger during the ritual.

The same heartbeat I used to dream about. But dreams…

Conan stirs beside me, his arm tightening around my waist. “Morning,” he murmurs, his voice rough from sleep.

I smile despite myself. “Morning.”

His eyes open slowly, and for a few seconds neither of us speaks. We simply stare at one another.

No resentment. No misunderstandings. No lies planted between us.

Just us.

The realization makes my chest ache.

Conan brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “What are you thinking about?”

I hesitate for a moment, then sigh. There’s no reason to keep anything from him anymore. “Just about how different everything could have been.”

A frown flickers across his face. “Yeah,” he says quietly as his thumb traces my cheek. “But we’re here now.”

We’re here now.

Such simple words, yet they somehow heal wounds that have been festering for years.

I lean forward and press a kiss to his jaw, and Conan freezes. The surprised expression on his face makes me giggle softly.

“What?” I ask, still giggling.

“You kissed me first,” he points out, the look of genuine astonishment in his eyes sending warmth rushing through me.

“I can take it back if you’d like,” I muse, and his arm immediately tightens around my waist.

“Don’t you dare,” he warns.

A laugh escapes me before he pulls me closer and buries his face against my neck. For the first time in years, I allow myself to simply enjoy the moment. No fear. No guilt. No anger. Just happiness.