Chapter 116: Dreams
"No!" My beloved star screams at me, his voice laced with panic and desperation. I can feel his anger radiating off him, mirroring my own frustration at the situation.
"You can’t go, Thorne!" he insists, grabbing my collar, his beautiful green eyes wide and pleading. The grip he has on me tightens, and it breaks my heart to see him like this. I gently disentangle his arms from my collar, my own emotions swirling like a tempest.
"I don’t want to leave you either," I say softly, pulling him toward the bed. His resolve crumbles, and soon tears spill from his beautiful eyes. I gather him close, holding him tight as he cries, whispering soothing words into his hair, trying to ease the anguish I can’t fully erase.
Eventually, his sobs quiet into soft breaths, and I feel him relax against me as sleep takes him. I stay with him for a moment longer, cherishing the warmth of his body against mine, but I know I can’t linger. There are duties to attend to, and my heart aches knowing I’m about to leave him.
Carefully, I slip out of the room, making my way toward my office.
*
"Leona, find out more about the situation and determine whether Narcio and Bodin are truly planning something," I command, my voice steady and authoritative. She nods with a determined glint in her eyes and quickly exits the room, ready to gather the intelligence we desperately need.
I turn my attention to Victor, who stands rigid, his brow furrowed with worry. "Victor, I know you want to come with us to the battlefield, but you currently have a pregnant omega. You can’t," I state firmly. I can see the protest building on his lips, the desire to fight coursing through him, but after a moment of internal struggle, he remains silent. He knows I’m right, and though it pains him, he understands his duty lies at home, protecting his omega.
"Felix," I say next, addressing the smaller man with a direct gaze. "You’ll remain behind with my star. I’m putting his safety in your hands." The weight of that responsibility hangs heavily in the air, and I want to be sure Felix understands the gravity of his role.
"You can trust me, Thorne," he replies, his voice resolute and unwavering. "I’ll keep him safe with my life." I nod, feeling a slight sense of relief wash over me. I know Felix will do everything in his power to protect Noelle, and that gives me some comfort.
"Raul, prepare for departure," I instruct, my mind racing with thoughts of the looming conflict. I can’t afford any delays; we must move quickly. "Roman, before we leave, finish up what we’ve started." I catch his eye, knowing he’s been handling our preparations while I’ve been preoccupied with my concerns for Noelle.