Chapter 12
There were roses on the dining room table in the morning.
But no alpha.
Thorn stared at them for a while, trying to decide how he felt about waking alone. He had a vague recollection of Baal waking him, but in the light of day, he wasn’t as certain it was real. Maybe he’d dreamed it.
His fingers brushed against the collar he was still wearing and with a huff, he reached back and undid the buckle. The box was still where he’d left it last night, and he replaced it and then gave in and plucked the white card from the flowers.
Breakfast is in the kitchen. Stay as long as you like.
- Baal.
Thorn refused to be annoyed. It’s not like he expected anything from the alpha. He certainly didn’t want to wake in his arms or eat with him or any such nonsense.
This was a contract relationship, plain and simple.
He tossed the card to the table with more force than necessary and grabbed the gift box. After glaring at the roses, he opted to leave them there. Was it petty? Yes. But did it serve the alpha right?
…Probably not.
“Damn it.” He went to the kitchen, not so stubborn that he would ignore the free five-star meal, and was rewarded with a massive spread.
His multi-slate chimed just as he’d sat down in front of the empty plate.
My Alpha: I didn’t know what you liked, so I ordered a little bit of everything.
His eyes narrowed at the text.
Thorn: My alpha? Seriously?
My Alpha: Aren’t you happy I gave you my number? Don’t be nitpicky, sweetheart.
He couldn’t believe Baal had put his contact name down as that. Thorn clicked on the edit button, intending to change it, but another message came in before he could.
My Alpha: I’ll be checking my details later. Don’t do anything rash.
Thorn: Are there cameras in here? Are you watching me?
He glanced around, but if there were any recording devices, they were well hidden. This was a hotel, not the alpha’s private residence. Could he even legally film in here?
What was Thorn thinking. He was mafia. Baal could do anything he wanted. Including call himself his alpha, apparently.
My Alpha: I don’t need cameras to know how your mind works. You accepted the collar. You’re mine, omega.
Thorn: Whatever. Leave me alone. I’m eating.
My Alpha: Aren’t you going to ask me what I’m doing?
Thorn: No.
A photo suddenly filled his screen of Baal and Aster. They were at the hospital, outside somewhere, and his brother was in a wheelchair. The alpha leaned over him, both of them smiling at the camera.
My Alpha: I visited little brother and took him out for some fresh air. You can go straight to your jobs and put in your resignations.
The only thing keeping Thorn from scolding Baal was the fact that Aster looked extremely happy.
He couldn’t recall the last time his brother seemed that at ease.
Though he’d tried shielding Aster from it as much as possible, he had to know their financial situation was dire.
Finding out that both his medical situation and their finances had been taken care of must be a relief, just like it was for Thorn.
Aster could fully focus on healing now.
That was thanks to the alpha.
Thorn placed his free hand on the gift box holding the collar. It was dangerous to want for things so clearly out of reach, and yet…He couldn’t help but allow himself to wonder, just for a moment, what life might be like if Baal Fae really was his alpha.
* * *
He didn’t get home until very late. After stopping at his three places of work, talking with his bosses, and then making time to still visit Aster before visiting hours were cut off, Thorn ran out of daylight.
Pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion was a coping mechanism he’d developed at a young age.
Whenever things got too heavy, when the harsh reality of his life started creeping past his defenses, he’d overexert himself.
It was the best way to clear his mind. If he was too tired to form thoughts, he didn’t have to worry about thinking himself to death.
His house was dark when he arrived, and he locked up behind himself and then entered the living room, flicking the light switch absently.
Strings of colored lights flared to life around the room, strung over the window and across the wooden beams above him.
A tree, only slightly smaller than the one at the hotel, was tucked in the corner between the couch and the entrance way that led to the kitchen.
The branches were bare, but when he approached, he realized why.
A stack of boxes had been set on the ground next to it, another note left on top of them.
If this isn’t enough, you know how to reach me. Don’t worry about enjoying yourself without Aster. He got his own tree.
-Your alpha.
Each box held various decorations in several color schemes. There were also packs of tinsels and more lights he could add to the tree. Some were the classic mini bulbs, while others had fun shapes like snowflakes and stars.
Thorn blamed the exhaustion when he found himself sitting on the floor, shifting through the boxes, an overwhelming sense of something taking over him.
It wasn’t quite happiness, but it wasn’t a negative emotion either, despite the tears that pricked the corners of his eyes. He brushed them aside and then, before he knew what he intended, he tapped on his multi-slate.
“Are you home, frosty omega?” Baal’s rich voice trickled through the speaker.
Thorn hummed in response and then said, “I forgot the flowers at the hotel.”
There was a brief pause. “I’ll have them delivered to you within the hour.”
He picked at a strip of tape holding one of the clear plastic covers over a box of green and gold ornaments.
“Is there anything else you’d like to say to me?” the alpha asked gently.
He looked up at the tree. A part of him tried to find the trick, but no matter which way he spun it, it didn’t make sense for this to be a trap. The alpha already had him, didn’t he? What need could he possibly have for going out of his way?
Unless he meant it.
Unless this was really just a thoughtful gift.
It probably didn’t mean anything to the rich alpha. Not nearly as much as it meant to Thorn, that was for sure. Hell, with a snap of his fingers, he could get a dozen workers to put this together for him all while he lounged in his office—or whatever he did to pass the time.
It wasn’t like the alpha had come in here and done all of this with his own two hands, and yet…
It didn’t matter.
It should have. Thorn should have respected himself more. Held himself to a higher standard. Not allowed himself to be bought with flashy things on top of everything else.
“Thank you,” he said, barely recognizing the sound of his own voice. It was filled with uncertainty and longing.
Longing for what?
“What are you doing?” Thorn curled his legs up and rested his chin on his knee, settling back against the side of the couch.
“I just left a business meeting,” Baal replied.
“This late?”
“I’m White Frost, sweetheart,” he chuckled. “We don’t exactly keep traditional hours.”
“Oh.” He refused to admit that was a flash of disappointment he was feeling. “So you’re busy.”
“We’re heading to the club. I have to entertain some guests from Glyph.”
“Oh,” he repeated dumbly.
The sound of a car door shutting could be heard next. “It’s a seven-minute drive. Talk with me until I get there.”
He perked up. “Okay.”
“Have you decided what colors you’re going to use on the tree?” Baal asked, catching Thorn off guard with how wholesome the topic was.
“Um…I’m not sure. Any suggestions?”
“The purple ones. There are a couple in the set that are the same shade as your eyes.”
There were. He hadn’t noticed.
“Why would I want to decorate a Yuletide tree with the color of my eyes?” he scoffed.
“Then use the blue ones.”
Thorn moved into a kneeling position so he could reach for the box, pausing with his fingers hovering over it as the alpha’s angle occurred to him. “That’s the color of your eyes.” He sat back down. “I’m going with red and green.”
“Keeping it simple. I like it,” the alpha praised.
He started peeling the tape off the box of red ornaments.
“Have you eaten?” Baal’s question stopped him short and he winced. The alpha took his silence for what it meant. “I’ll send dinner with the flowers. Make sure you eat while you play.”
“I’m not a kid.”
“Maybe not,” he agreed, “but it’s okay for you to act like one once in a while. The world isn’t going to explode if you relax and let me take care of you sometimes, Thorn. I promise.”
“Is that what you’ve been doing?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Why?”
The alpha sighed. “You’re going to have to figure that out on your own. I had the fireplace cleaned out. Do you know how to use it?”
“Of course.”
“You should make one then. There’s a fur blanket folded on the couch as well. If there are any lights you don’t use, put them to the side. I have an idea for them.”
“What?” Thorn got up and went over to the fireplace he hadn’t touched in years. Sure enough, everything was there waiting for him.
“I just pictured how hot you’d be tied up with them.”
He dropped a log, the wood clattering loudly to the ground, the sound of the alpha’s laughter causing him to pout.
“I’m hanging up,” Thorn stated.
“I’m about to arrive anyway. Remember what I said.”
“I’ll eat.” His stomach growled as if in response, and he waited to see if the alpha would comment on it, but he must not have been able to hear it.
At least he didn’t embarrass himself twice in a row.
“I’ll contact you later,” Baal told him a second before the call ended.
Feeling better than he had all day, Thorn got to work decorating, only stopping to answer the door and receive the delivery.