Page 15 of Dragon's Surprise

When he’d left, Oliver didn’t know what to do. Did Delton expect him to talk now?

“You don’t need to say anything,” Delton said softly, as if he’d read Oliver’s mind. “I just wanted to give you a moment to yourself. I bet there’s a lot going through your head.”

No kidding. Oliver’s mind was in chaos, one thought tumbling over another, each more depressing than the previous. He wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or a curse that he’d have only ten minutes of clarity before the haze descended again and he’d turn into a beast. ‘Cause that was what it felt like—a beast taking over his body and mind. Not him. He would never be that inconsiderate and selfish, so focused on the physical act of sex above everything else. That wasn’t him. Hell, outside of his heat, sex was his worst nightmare.

He didn’t even realize he was crying until Delton sat on the edge of the bed and handed him a tissue. He dabbed his eyes and dared to peer up at the beta, who looked at him with nothing but kindness and concern. No judgment or disgust.

“I hate this,” he whispered and jolted in shock. The words had come out.

Delton widened his eyes, but other than that gave no reaction. Him not making a big deal out of it made it easier. “I hate being in heat.”

“A lot of omegas feel that way because they lose control. Is that the same for you?”

He nodded as he hunched his shoulders. If he could disappear into the ground, he would. “Not myself.”

“You are not yourself during your heat, Oliver. But don’t feel ashamed about it. It’s not your fault.”

He dabbed another tear away. “You saw me.”

“I did, and what I witnessed was an omega who was swept up in the force of a biological process outside his control. And I bet Adar feels the same. You were scared to face him, but you have no reason to be. He sees the same thing I do.”

Was he right? Did they not look at him differently now after witnessing his behavior? “Hate it.”

“I can understand that. Like I said, I’ve heard it from many omegas…but it’s even stronger for those with a history of abuse.”

It was? “Why?”

Delton slowly stretched out his arm, giving him ample time to pull away. When he didn’t, the beta gently held Oliver’s hand, his touch more comforting than Oliver had expected. Funny that something so small could have such an impact. “Will you trust me when I say now is not the time to explain that? But I’d love to work with you, Oliver, and guide you in processing everything that has happened to you. You weren’t ready before, but I’m hoping you are now. I can help you. I can make the load you carry a little lighter.”

Hope fluttered in Oliver’s chest. Could he really? But what if it didn’t work? What if he would never recover from his trauma? He’d heard about Duer, a beta in the pack who’d been raped a few years prior and had never gotten over it. Though, according to the grapevine, he was doing a little better. And he was talking to Delton too. It was Delton’s job, his area of expertise.

“Scared,” he whispered.

“It must be terrifying.”

“Why?”

“Why is it so scary to talk to me?”

Oliver nodded.

“When you’re in a situation like you were in, hope is the most dangerous emotion of all. Because what you faced was so hopeless that harboring the smallest bit of positivity that things could get better meant opening yourself up to be hurt even more. Because nothing good ever happened. In fact, it must’ve seemed like maintaining a positive outlook only made things worse. So you’ve learned to squash that hope…and now I’m asking you to allow it again. You can’t start working with me until you have at least some sense it could help, but after years of teaching yourself the darkness was permanent, how can you trust the light source?”

Delton had a way of explaining things so clearly. And he was one hundred percent right. Even when Fallon had come back after his first visit to the pack and reported nothing but great news, Oliver had refused to believe it. Fallon had fought hard to get Oliver to come with him and the others. Oliver had been convinced they’d get caught and punished. Or that the pack and the Doyles would turn out to be just as bad…or worse.

His mind buzzed again, the signal that he had only a few moments left of clear thinking. Delton was asking Oliver to trust him, and he’d shown every reason Oliver could. No one in the pack had ever done anything against his will so far. And if there was even the slightest chance he could get better, maybe learn to use his voice again, shouldn’t he grab it with both hands? Didn’t he owe that to himself and Adar, his mate? If he wanted a future with Adar, he had to do what he could to be worthy of him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes.”

The fog took over again, like a fever that crashed into his body, setting him on fire. It ached inside him, that emptiness he could never seem to fill during his heat. He needed something. He needed…

He must’ve moved because he was kissing someone. Not Adar. Delton. Shit.

But he couldn’t make himself stop, not when Delton tasted so sweet. His cock filled again, and he rubbed himself against Delton. Such a different feeling from Adar, from an alpha. Softer, smaller, smoother. His beard tickled but in the best way.

Why was Delton not kissing him back? He allowed Oliver to rub against him, but he wasn’t touching him, wasn’t reciprocating. Didn’t he want him?

The door opened. Adar. His mate.