Chapter Ten
Silas
I storm into my office, slamming the door shut behind me so hard the walls tremble. My chest rises and falls, breath heavy, but not from exertion. From something else. Something I don’t even want to think about, much less name.
I cross the room in long, rage filled strides and grab the decanter of whiskey from the corner bar. No finesse, no deliberation just a full glass poured and downed in one gulp. The burn in my throat is sharp, almost satisfying, but it doesn’t drown out the noise in my head.
Why did I do that?
I grip the edge of the desk, my knuckles whitening. Why the hell did I kiss her?
My reflection in the glass window stares back at me, a mocking reminder of my failure to control myself. My lips still tingle, the sensation of her soft mouth pressed against mine refusing to fade. And the worst part, the absolute worst part is that I liked it.
My fingers twitch, and I rake a hand through my hair, pulling at the strands in frustration. “No,” I mutter aloud, as if saying it will make it true. “It wasn’t anything.”
I want to blame pheromones. That would be the logical answer. The safe answer. Except there weren’t any. No heightened Omega signals, no biological trap to ensnare me. It was just her.
My hands curl into fists on the desk. Am I attracted to an Omega?
I don’t let myself answer. I can’t. What am I doing? I know how it ends to go down this road. It’s been a rule to not give Omegas a second glance. It’s been easy too… until now.
I pour another glass of whiskey but don’t drink it. I stare at the amber liquid, the swirling depths reflecting the turmoil inside me. After a long moment, I slam the glass down and walk out.
When I return to her room, she’s dressed and waiting, her posture stiff, her expression unreadable. She’s wearing a simple dress, understated but elegant, and for a fleeting moment, I wonder what it would be like if she smiled.
The silence in the car is suffocating, though I’d never admit it out loud. I grip the steering wheel tighter than necessary as if gripping it tight enough might settle the war I’m fighting against the memories of that damn kiss replaying over and over in my head. Her lips, warm and insistent against mine. The taste of her. The way she pressed herself against me.
Stop it.
I glance at her out of the corner of my eye. She’s staring out the window, her face calm, almost serene. It’s infuriating how composed she looks as if none of it affected her.
When we arrive at the restaurant, one of my family’s prized establishments, I’m greeted with the usual fanfare. The staff practically falls over themselves to serve us, but I barely notice. My focus is splintered, torn between the conversation I need to have and the maddening distraction sitting across from me.
We order, and the moment the waiter disappears, I break the silence.
“The Union ceremony,” I say abruptly, my tone as sharp as a knife. “Do you know what it entails here in Howls Peak?”
She tilts her head slightly, her green eyes boring a hole into me. “No. Enlighten me.”
I lean forward, resting my forearms on the table. “Part of it involves climbing a mountain together. It’s physically demanding, and it’s meant to symbolize endurance. Compatibility.” I let the word hang in the air. “You’d better be ready for it.”
She nods, her expression unchanging. “I’ll manage.”
Her calmness grates on me. I want some kind of a reaction. Anything. Instead, she takes a sip of water, completely unfazed. And it stirs something in me. That maddening urge to grab her, kiss her, challenge her to crack that perfect composure.
“My parents don’t think you’ll make it,” I add, my voice cold. “In fact, they’re hoping you don’t. They want this match to fail so I can pick someone else.”
Her gaze sharpens, but she doesn’t look surprised. “Then we’ll have to act like everything is fine between us,” she says simply. “For both our parents’ sakes. My parents really want this to work. For them, I’ll try and make some kind of relationship out of this, even though I don’t like you.”
Her words cut deeper than I expect. There’s no warmth, no hesitation, just a detached acceptance. She doesn’t like me. She’s made that clear. And for some reason, it makes my chest tighten.
“You don’t like me,” I say, my voice low. “And yet you kissed me.”
Her lips curve into a faint, humorless smile. “It was just a momentary lapse in judgment.”
I scoff, leaning back in my chair. The familiar disgust rises in me. Of course, it was a lapse in judgment. She’s an Omega, after all. “Yeah, well, that’s how Omegas always are,” I snap. “Completely losing themselves.”
She arches an eyebrow, her poise as unshakable as ever. “Oh?” she says, her tone light but laced with steel. “Then maybe you’re an Omega too, given how badly and hungrily you lost yourself to the kiss as well.”
Her words hit like a punch to the gut. I’ve never had an Omega talk to me like that before. No one dares. But the way she says it calm, confident, completely in control sends a bolt of heat through me that I hate to admit, even if only to myself.
I grit my teeth, my voice dropping. “I had a bit too much to drink,” I start. “I wouldn’t kiss you with my head on straight.”
She smirks, leaning slightly forward. “You’re a terrible kisser anyway.”
I feel my molars grate against each other, and I lean forward too, the space between us charged. “You didn’t seem to think so at the time.”
“I had a long flight. Jet lag does strange things to people,” she retorts, her voice soft but pointed.
Before I can respond, a familiar voice cuts through the air.
“Hi, guys.”
I look up to see Adriel, his casual smile as infuriatingly relaxed as ever. He slides up to our table, hands stuffed in his pockets.
“Fancy meeting you two here,” he says, his tone teasing. “I was just moving around, and now I run into the hottest couple in Howls Peak, on a romantic night out, no less.”
I’m about to speak when my phone buzzes. I glance at the screen . an urgent message from the office. Of course. A delegate from a major corporation that partners with the Jorg foundation has just flown in. It’s important enough to require my attention. And it’s not like I don’t already need a little space to clear my head with Danae having me at my wits end in ways I can’t even comprehend.
“Perfect timing,” I mutter, standing abruptly. I turn to Adriel. “You’re here in just the right moment. I’ve got to deal with something at the office. Entertain her while I’m gone, would you?”
“With pleasure,” he says, his response coming almost too quick, almost too excitedly.
Danae’s voice follows, it’s smooth, almost amused. “Oh, thank goodness. Adriel is far more charming and makes for better company anyway.”
Her words sting more than they should. My eyes narrow, and for a second, I consider saying something cutting. But I don’t. I just scoff, grabbing my coat.
Joseph already told me Adriel’s sweet on her. I don’t care. It’s not anything new for brothers to share a wife. Family units are normal worldwide also, although that is usually more normal for dominants and recessives are lucky to get one partner.
I also know that Adriel is more charming than I am. He is a flirt for a reason. I don’t care. Or rather, I shouldn’t, but I see how she visibly relaxes, and I see the smile on her face …an expression she’s never directed towards me.
“Enjoy your evening,” I say, my voice laced with sarcasm.
I walk out, but the tightness in my chest lingers. I hate how her words linger too.
Will she ever smile at me the same way?
I glance back at them as Adriel easily slides into the seat I just left.
Fuck.