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Then to my surprise, she laughs.

It appears to startle her as much as it startles me.

She slams her hand over her mouth.

Paige’s shoulders shake, and she hangs her head.

“I haven’t laughed since…” She mumbles from behind her hand.

When I catch a glimpse of something on the base of Paige’s neck, as her hair parts, I peer more closely.

It’s a tattoo of a butterfly.

My face lights up. “Your tattoo is beautiful.”

She doesn’t move. Then she slowly takes her hand away from her mouth.

“Beau was an artist.” Her voice is quiet. “He won awards.”

“He was talented. May I touch it?” The ink should frustrate me if I believed any of that Alphasphere bullshit about marking your Omega.

Yet it’s like a real monarch butterfly has alighted on her skin.

I didn’t know that my Omega could become more perfect.

Paige gives a shaky nod.

I understand what it is like to be too overwhelmed to speak.

I tenderly trace the butterfly’s wings.

Then impulsively, unable to resist the beauty of her skin, ink, and scent, I drop a gentle kiss on the butterfly.

My eyes widen.

What am I doing?

Why don’t I want to stop?

But what would Rhett say if he could see me?

My eyes flutter closed for a moment. I can’t disobey my Chief.

I never do.

Paige shivers.

Then she twists in my lap. “Want to dance?”

“I can’t dance, Omega.”

But why do I suddenly wish that I could?

Paige is laughing again.

Her eyes crease at the side. Her soft lips turn up. It drives away the haunted look on her face.

I will do anything to make Paige laugh again, even make a fool of myself trying to dance.