Alliance of Shadows, Book 5: LEIF

Dawn’s Resolve

I yawned, looking over at the Grandfather clock that stood proudly by the door. Putting down the pen in my hand, I sighed.

Dre should have been back by now, but he wasn't. Had I made him mad enough to sleep at his parents' place this time? No, that can't be it. He would have sent Kaden to watch over me.

Putting my plate in the sink, I washed what dishes were there and went back to the dining room to tidy it up a little before I headed to bed. As I passed the threshold, I spotted him—my Mate and absolute love of my life—standing in the doorway on the opposite side of the spacious room. Holding my breath, I waited for him to come over.

He didn't disappoint as he buried his face in my neck and breathed deeply.

"Ye spoke wi’ yer father, then," I said quietly. Not a question, just fact.

The ashen look on his face said his family had turned on him for what he’d done—but he came back. Just like he always did; just like he always promised he would.

He nodded, snorting a little laugh. "I talked, he shouted, Kaden had a good laugh at my misfortune, and Mom says if it happens again, my ass is grass."

Tightening my hold on him, I sobbed. "Dre, I can’t bring meself to speak on it. The only way I can get it out is to put it down in words."

He sighed, smoothing the wrinkles in my shirt with slow, deliberate movements. "If that's what you're comfortable with, then that's what we'll stick with. You write it down, and I'll read it. I promise to keep an open mind as long as you promise not to hide anything from me, Leif." His fingers lingered for a moment, gripping the fabric like it might steady him. "I love you too much to lose you, and you need that s**t out of your system. Can you promise me that?"

"Aye, love," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his shoulder. "I swear, I’ll try te be more open wi’ ye."

Dreson let out a deep breath, content with my answer, but when his gaze drifted to the table, his expression darkened. His eyes flicked back to mine, sharp with knowing. "You wrote something down tonight, didn’t you?"

I nodded. His brow arched slightly.

"I thought I told you to rest, babe." His voice held a quiet edge—concern layered with the slightest bit of frustration. "Did you eat?"

"I ate leftover pasta," I muttered, rubbing my thumb against the seam of his sleeve.

Dreson sighed again, this time with exhaustion more than anything else. "I'll read what you wrote tomorrow. I'm too tired to keep my eyes open."

I chuckled under my breath, letting him guide me up to our bedroom, the mess of papers and pens forgotten for the night.

The air felt a little less oppressive when I woke the next morning. My head was clearer, and the crushing weight I'd carried the night before had eased—just enough to breathe.

It felt like unloading some of the burden had actually helped, like speaking—just a little—had loosened the tight grip of everything I’d been holding onto. I only regretted that I hadn’t started sooner.

I sat up, swung my feet to the floor, and let my head hang, rubbing at my face like the motion could shake off the last remnants of exhaustion.

We’d fought yesterday. Really fought.

Dre and I had our share of minor arguments, but this one had nearly cost me everything. I messed up bad. And honestly, I didn’t know how he could even stand to be near me after the way I’d been acting.

The bedroom door creaked open. My stomach clenched. Dreson.

I looked up—and instantly regretted not hiding the damn journal I started the night before.

He was pale. His eyes, red-rimmed and swollen, darted to me, carrying a weight I hadn’t wanted him to bear. A moment passed, silent and heavy, and I realized he knew.

His fingers tightened around the mug in his hands. Carefully, like he was moving through water, he sank to his knees beside me. Without a word, he held out the tea, the warmth of it pressing against my palm.

Then he laid his head in my lap.

I put the mug on the nightstand. "Come ‘ere, love."

He scooted closer, forcing me to open my legs so he could hug me tighter around the middle. "I'm not even sure where to begin to beg for your forgiveness, honey."

"Dreson, love, no," I whispered. "Why? Why’d ye say such a thing?"

He pushed me back on the bed and curled into my side the same way he used to when we were teens. He rubbed his head against me.

"My life was a walk in the park compared to what your parents put you through."

"It weren’t yer fault, love. Misfortune was me lot until ye came along," I replied.

Swallowing, I let myself enjoy the moment of quiet with Dreson while his arm was draped across my abs. Closing my eyes, I took a few breaths to level out my mind, calming myself.

"Did ye read it all?" I asked. I didn't want him to be upset about my past, but he’d asked for this.

"Leif, if I ever see that asshole again, it's going to be too soon," he whispered. "Friends don't sell each other out like that. I mean, they may not be perfect, but I know that my friends would never do that to me."

My breaths turned shaky. "I know how true friends behave now. As I said, ye’re me light, Dreson. Ye’ve given me so much these last few years."

"Yet, I'm the one left in awe of your strength. I know it can take a massive amount of courage to tell someone you're gay. Hell, if it hadn't been for Kaden telling me it didn't matter to him, I would still be living a lie," he told me.

My young brother-in-law never ceased to amaze me. He'd been so accepting when we met that I started looking for an out, bracing for the worst. My first thought was that he was going to hurt me. Instead, he hugged me, holding on like he meant it, then thanked me for existing for his brother.

"He’s a right pain in the arse, sure, but he’s good," I murmured.

Dreson laughed. "Yeah, but that's Kaden."

Rolling off the bed, he moved to the closet and pulled out his business suit. I got up, scanning the room, expecting to see the mess left from last night—scattered clothes, a knocked-over chair, something out of place. My gaze found nothing but a spotless floor and a neatly arranged dresser, everything in order.

He kissed me. "I've got something to take care of today, but Mom said she'd come keep you company if you want. She knows we're having a hard time, and she said it wouldn't be a good relationship without its ups and downs."

"Dreson, I’d like a bit o’ time to meself today, yeah?" I said, pulling a pair of sweats from the dresser.

Smiling, he nodded. "I understand, but promise me you're not going to forget to eat today, okay? I don't want you passing out or anything. The kids will be home around eight this evening. Mom and Dad wanted us to work through this before bringing them home."

"What’s on the agenda today, then?" I asked, already guessing it had something to do with his father.

"I need to clean up the filing cabinets at my City Hall office," Dre groused, and I couldn't help but laugh.

Shoving my arms through the sleeves of my tee, I sighed. "Ah well, could be worse."

"Yeah, I could be forced to take Kaden with me and show him the ropes," he lamented.

"Anythin’ but that, aye," I muttered.

He dropped his head to my chest, his cedar-brown waves shifting with the movement.

"Dad’s told me in no uncertain terms that if I ever raise my hand to you again, he's making Kaden my understudy. That's one threat I don't want to even think about making a reality. He's my brother, I love him, but I won't be able to handle teaching his ass the ropes at a job that high-pressure. Working for the city is not easy, and he's better at putting people under pressure rather than being the one under it."

Laughing, I let him run his fingers through my curly black hair, the familiar gesture easing some of the tension in my chest. Fisting it gently, he kissed me hungrily, his lips pressing firm against mine.

"If only I had another hour or so, I'd make you really regret trying to leave last night," he breathed.

With his hot breath in my ear, I shivered under the promise of his words. "Tonight, once the wee ones are tucked up an’ sleepin’."

Humming, he bit his lip, slow and deliberate, knowing full well it drove me crazy when he did that.

"Damn, I was hoping you'd drag my ass to bed. Well, I guess I'm on the hook for later."