Chapter 15 #2
I take a deep gulp of water, trying to cool the heat that’s been building inside me since we drove here. My cock has been fully hard the entire time, throbbing persistently beneath the table.
I imagine buying proper dresses that fit her perfectly, silks and cashmeres that would look sublime on her figure.
Taking her to exclusive shops where she could try on anything that caught her eye.
Watching her face light up with delight as she twirled in front of mirrors.
Once she’s our omega, I’ll make sure she wants for nothing.
The thought jolts me. Our omega. Not if, but when. Somehow, in the span of hours, I’ve gone from resisting the idea to planning for it. My wolf is glowing at the thought of claiming her, marking her, making her ours.
My breathing quickens, and I force myself to look away from her, to gain some distance from the intoxicating pull she has on me.
“Is everything alright?” Francine asks, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. “You seem... tense.”
“Just got lost in thought,” I say, my voice hoarse. “Everything’s fine.”
She nods, taking another delicate bite of her food. A small drop of the truffle aioli clings to her lower lip, and I watch, transfixed, as her tongue darts out to capture it. The innocent gesture sends another jolt of desire straight to my groin.
This is torture.
“Can I ask you something?” she says after a moment of silence, setting down her fork.
“Of course,” I reply, grateful for the distraction.
“Nora told me about your parents today,” she says softly, her eyes gentle with empathy. “About the fire.”
My entire body goes rigid at the unexpected topic.
“What about it?” My voice comes out cold, defensive.
She blinks, clearly surprised by my reaction. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. It’s just... she mentioned it during homework, and I wanted to express my condolences. It must have been incredibly difficult.”
“What exactly did she tell you?” I say, setting my fork down.
Francine’s eyes widen slightly at my tone. “Just that your parents died in a fire at their workplace. She brought it up when we were discussing families in her homework.”
My jaw clenches involuntarily. The memory of that day and the frantic calls, the sirens, the charred remains of the building where my parents and multiple others perished is still raw, even years later.
“I don’t discuss this,” I say flatly. “Especially not with someone I barely know.”
Her face falls, hurt flashing in her eyes before she masks it. “I understand. I apologize for bringing it up.”
“It was a long time ago.” I signal for the waiter, suddenly desperate to end this dinner. “I think we’re done here.”
“Kieran,” she says softly, reaching across the table as if to touch my hand before thinking better of it and withdrawing. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I know what it’s like…”
“You don’t know anything about my family,” I interrupt, the words sharper than I intend. “And I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t use Nora to gather information about us.”
“That wasn’t what I was doing at all. Nora brought it up herself. I would never pry like that,” she says, her face pink.
“Check, please,” I tell the approaching waiter, cutting her off. I can’t do this. Can’t sit here with her looking at me with those eyes full of pity, talking about the worst day of my life like it’s appropriate dinner conversation.
Francine falls silent, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she fights back tears. I hate myself for putting that expression on her face, but I can’t seem to stop the defensive anger that’s overtaken me. This is exactly why bringing an omega into our pack is dangerous.
The drive back to the pack house is excruciatingly silent.
I’ve put the news on the radio just to have some noise filling the space between us. Francine stares out the passenger window, her profile illuminated by passing streetlights, occasionally reaching up to wipe at her cheek when she thinks I’m not looking.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I navigate the winding roads leading back to our estate.
“I didn’t mean to be so cold at the restaurant,” I finally say, the words feeling inadequate. “The topic of my parents is... difficult for me. I should have explained that instead of snapping at you.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t have brought it up,” she says, her face still turned away from me.
“It’s fine that you asked. I just need to do what’s best for the pack, and sometimes that means keeping certain boundaries in place.”
“I can leave,” she says, her voice quiet. “Tomorrow morning. So I won’t be your problem anymore.”
My heart actually stops for a beat, then resumes at double speed. The thought of her leaving and never seeing her again, never catching her scent in the halls of our home, and never watching her with Nora sends a spike of panic through me.
“No,” I say immediately, more forcefully than intended. I soften my voice. “No, that won’t be necessary. Having you around won’t be a problem at all.”
She finally looks at me, her eyes searching my face in the dim light of the car. “Are you sure? Because if you’re uncomfortable with me being there, I can leave right away.”
“I’m sure,” I interrupt, unable to bear hearing the rest of that sentence. “Please, stay. Nora needs you.”
I need you too.
She nods slowly, turning back to the window. “Alright.”
She doesn’t deserve an asshole like me making her life miserable. I feel bad, watching her carry herself with grace and poise, even though I can tell she’s angry with me. She doesn’t say anything for the rest of the ride, and I sigh, realizing that I need to do better instead of pushing her away.