Chapter One Hundred and Nine: The Way You Hold Me

Chapter One Hundred and Nine: The Way You Hold Me
The soft click of the door stirred Kaelia from a hazy nap.

She didn’t open her eyes. She could tell who walked into the room without having to open her eyes.

Alarion.

Footsteps padded closer.

Kaelia blinked slowly, adjusting to the dim candlelight. The Alpha stood at the edge of the room, tall and unspeakably tired, as if every mask he'd worn in public had been carved into his skin.

Kaelia sat up on the bed, her blanket slipping down, revealing the gentle swell of her belly. “Hey,” she said, voice still heavy with sleep.

Alarion didn’t answer immediately. He just walked forward. Each step was reverent.

And then, he dropped to his knees. Right there beside the bed.

His hands didn’t touch Kaelia yet. They trembled slightly hovering over Kaelia’s knees. He looked up with eyes that gleamed like dusk.

“I missed you,” Alarion breathed.

Kaelia reached forward, pressing her hands to Alarion’s jaw. “You saw me this morning, Alpha.”

“Doesn’t count,” Alarion whispered. “I see you every day. And I still miss you.”

Kaelia’s fingers slipped into the Alpha’s hair, pulling him in close until their foreheads bumped together. The quiet wrapped around them.

Softly, Kaelia said, “You’re shaking.”

Alarion gave a shaky little laugh. “Guess I’m a bit drunk, too many toasts. Honestly? I’m scared I’ll mess you up, the way I do with everything I care about.”

Kaelia bent down and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head, warmth lingering there. “Hey, I’m not made of glass. And even if I was, I’d trust you to carry me.”

Alarion breathed out, like he’d been holding it in way too long.

With a quiet sound, he sat up, cupping Kaelia’s cheeks and just taking her in. “You’re really something, you know that? Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re hurting. You’re the only thing I want that I’m scared to lose.”

Kaelia’s bottom lip trembled a little. “Then don’t let go.”

“I won’t.” Alarion dipped his head and captured her lips in a slow intentional kiss. The kind that didn’t devour or demand. But worshipped.

Kaelia’s hand slipped around Alarion’s nape as their lips met again, deeper this time. Her other hand cupped the Alpha’s chest, feeling his heartbeat hammering like a war drum beneath skin and silk.

When they parted, breath mingling in the space between, Kaelia whispered, “Touch me like you love me. I missed you too.”

Alarion didn’t answer.

He climbed onto the bed instead, moving carefully, reverently, until Kaelia was laid back into the pillows with the Alpha pressing gently beside her; not over her, not above her.

Beside.

Their legs tangled. Kaelia reached down, took Alarion’s hand, and brought it to her bump.

The Alpha’s touch softened further.

“Is it wrong,” Alarion whispered, “that I want to keep you like this forever?”

Kaelia giggled softly, eyes shimmering. “Pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“Alpha…”

“No, listen—” Alarion leaned close, nuzzling Kaelia’s temple, voice deep with longing. “You’re already the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen, Kaelia, but like this? With life growing inside you? You’re... breathtaking. Sacred.”

Kaelia’s eyes burned. “You really think so?”

Alarion looked at her. “You’re my moon. So mesmerizing. I'd get you pregnant again right after you give birth.

Kael pulled him down into another kiss, this one hotter, wetter, desperation clawing at the edges.

But even then, Alarion never lost his tenderness. He kissed with a hunger that asked, not stole. He touched with a reverence that made Kaelia feel like royalty. Like divinity.

And when they finally broke apart, tangled together in silence, Kaelia tucked her head under Alarion’s chin and murmured, “If I die before I get to love you for a hundred years, I’m haunting you.”

Alarion laughed; quiet and a little shaky. He kissed Kaelia’s hair. “Then I’ll build a shrine and let you possess me.”

Kaelia giggled, sleep dragging at her limbs again.

And Alarion just held her there, both hands resting over Kaelia’s belly, his entire body curled around his mate like a fortress.

Outside, the ceremonial ambiance was contagious.

Inside, an Omega and her Alpha laid in a bed together; both holding on to their silent promise of “it'd get better.”
And for once, everything was exactly where it belonged.

The quiet hum of peace filled the chamber.

Kaelia shifted slightly, trying to make herself more comfortable in Alarion’s arms, but something… something pressed against her thigh.
Something firm, hot, and alive.

She froze.

Alarion did too.

There's a long silent pause between them.
Then… Kaelia’s hand twitched and brushed against it.
She yanked her hand back as if burned, cheeks catching fire. “Oh.”

A low, rumbling hiss escaped from Alarion. “Kaelia…”

“I—I didn’t mean to,” Kaelia stammered, eyes wide, breath quickening.

The Alpha chuckled softly, voice husky and far too amused. “You think I’m mad you touched it?” He nosed along Kaelia’s cheek, lips brushing near her ear. “Baby, I’m trying not to embarrass myself.”

Kaelia shivered.

Alarion’s voice dropped lower and rougher. “Don’t mock me, moonlight. You're lying next to me, looking like that; soft, glowing… and expect my body to behave?”

Kaelia turned her face, eyes dancing with teasing warmth and flushed cheeks. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Alarion groaned against her skin. “Too long.” He trailed kisses along Kaelia’s jaw. “Too damn long.”

“You’re starving.”

“I’m starving.” The Alpha’s voice cracked with restraint. “Baby, your man is starving. And it’s taking everything in me not to spread your legs and let myself in my favorite place.”

Kaelia moaned before she could stop it; the sound came out soft, breathy, and wickedly sinful.

Alarion jerked, his breath catching. “Kaelia…” His voice was a warning. Or a plea. “Please don’t make this harder.”

Kaelia giggled, drunk on the intimacy, the attention, the sheer power of what they were to each other.

“Aaron might come back any moment from now,” she murmured, even as her fingers toyed with the collar of Alarion’s shirt.

“Where did he go?” Alarion asked, breathlessly trying to tether himself.

Kaelia smirked. “I sent him out to get me some street snacks. I was craving fried honey-dipped yam chips.”

Alarion blinked.

Then he grinned, dark and full of want.

“That’ll take a good amount of time… don’t you think?”