He turned, his panther shape slipping away as he held out his arms to his mate. Olivia ran to him, sobbing, as he threw his arms around her and crushed her to his chest. He found her face through the tears and unruly red hair, kissing her cheeks and stroking her head.
She looked at him, her blue eyes wide open. Henry smiled, so relieved to see she was okay that he could barely breathe, let alone speak.
Olivia got up on her tiptoes, kissing him softly on the lips. Henry kissed her back, feeling his love for her flood through him. He couldn’t live without her. He knew that now.
But does she want me the same way I want her? What if the best thing I can do for her is to leave her alone? If she asked me for that, could I even do it?
“Olivia,” he said, cupping her jaw with one hand. “I love you. I love you so much. I can hardly breathe without you. I should have told you sooner … I’m sorry it came to this … but I’m telling you now. I love you, and I can’t live without you.”
She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with tears. She didn’t look happy, and it filled Henry with doubt and a terrible, bone-shaking fear.
Will she say it back?