He tucked Nat against his side, his senses on high alert even after they’d made it back to the office.
* * *
Nat wokeup screaming that night.
Duke jolted awake, turning on the lights and grasping his omega gently. But Nat only thrashed harder, tangling himself further in the sheets.
Duke hurried to untangle him. “Nat. Sweetheart. It’s me, Duke.”
Nat’s eyes were open, but they didn’t contain any recognition. Duke weighed his options: he could stay in his deep red demon skin, or pull his glamour back on to appear human.
He decided to stay in his Hell-skin, because it wasn’t a demon who had given Nat these nightmares.
He lowered himself to the pillows so Nat wouldn’t feel as threatened. He grasped Nat’s wrist with his fingertips, stroking him lightly. “Nat.”
Nat clutched at the sheets and swallowed several breaths. Then he blinked. “Duke?” he asked shakily.
“I’m here. You’re safe,” Duke murmured. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Nat shuddered, his lower lip wobbling. “It was so bad,” he whispered. “He was beating me. He wouldn’t stop.”
Duke’s fangs lengthened. “Was that your imagination, or a memory?”
“A memory.”
A snarl ripped out of Duke’s throat. He hurried to stifle it when Nat flinched; he released his mate and leaned away. “Sorry,” Duke said around his fangs. “I just—I want to kill him.”
Nat blinked rapidly. “That—That makes me feel better. I know I’m weak—”
Duke growled. “No. You’re not weak.” He made sure his claws were sheathed before taking Nat’s hands into his own. “Nat, you’re damn fucking strong for leaving him, and staying away from him. I know it couldn’t have been easy.”
Nat’s lower lip wobbled. “No one’s ever said that to me before.”
“Not even your friends?”
Nat hunched into himself. “I’ve never told them I feel this way.”
“Sweetheart.” Duke gathered Nat into his arms and pulled Nat on top of him, so he wouldn’t feel trapped. “Your friends will agree with me—you’re a very precious person. I admire you a lot, and I don’t think less of you because of your past, okay?”
Nat scrunched up his face. “But I’m just...” He raised his hand with the middle and ring fingers missing, scarred stumps at their knuckles. “I’m not right.”
“Youareright. You’re so right for me.” Duke brushed his fingers through Nat’s hair. Then he took Nat’s hands, and kissed all his knuckles. Even the scarred ones. Nat’s eyes grew wide. Duke let his mouth linger on the roughly healed stumps, breathing with him. “See? I’m not running away.”
“W-why?”
“Because I care about you. The funny things you say. Your love for Wanda, Teddy, and Mallie. You’re perfect as you are.”
Nat sniffled. He swiped at his eyes with his other hand. “Most people don’t say that to me.”
“And I’m not most people.” Duke cupped the back of Nat’s head, rubbing their cheeks together. “The funny thing about life, is that you learn not to care so much about what everyone thinks. Just a few people. People who matter.”
Nat looked into his eyes as though he was seeking reassurance.
“Do I matter to you, sweetheart?”
Nat nodded.
“Is my opinion more important than other people’s?”
