Page 90 of Knot a Thief

Chapter 26

Max

The fear radiating through my claiming bond with Ava is almost unbearable right now.

The dull, persistent ache in my chest is throbbing in time with my heartbeat. But much worse than the physical discomfort is feeling her emotional torment.

I can handle feeling her anger when it’s aimed at me; but not her distress, her sadness, especially not her fear when she tries to keep it to herself.

I kidnapped her, but it doesn’t make me a monster. And tonight, her fear is gripping me so tightly, it’s like an iron bar is crushing my lungs and making it hard to breathe.

My mind keeps replaying the scene at the dining table tonight.

Everything went well.

We laughed for the first time. She smiled at me like she liked me.

At Silas too.

There were moments when my eyes locked with Ava’s and I saw her for the first time. The omega who wanted me. But now she’s scared, and I don’t know why.

Is she scared of her growing feelings?

She’s in so much silent torment, and I hate myself sometimes for not being a good alpha. I don’t know what it is about her that makes me blow hot and cold and then fills me with self-loathing when I do nothing about the emotions flying through the bond.

But fear is different.

I’m supposed to be her alpha, her protector, yet I’ve become the source of her misery. I don’t want her being scared of me.

I can’t take it anymore. I need to talk to her to make things right. Come to some solution without turning into a crazed alpha. Because I know how that’ll turn out.

I stride down the hallway to her room. And even though this is my home, I want to respect her space. At least when she’s awake.

Outside her bedroom door, I hesitate for one moment before I knock.

There’s no answer.

I knock again.

Still no answer.

I crack open the door. The sound of running water reaches my ears. She’s in the shower.

For a moment, I consider leaving, coming back later. But no, I need to do this now. I step inside and sit on the edge of the bed, my hands clasped tightly in my lap as I wait.

The minutes tick by slowly, filled with the sound of falling water and my own tumultuous thoughts.

What will I say to her? It’s time to make amends.

But how can I even begin to fix what I’ve done wrong?

The claiming bond pulses with her emotions, a connection I’ve tainted with my actions.

Fear still lingers. Then pain shoots into my heart. I can’t bear it anymore.

My spine straightens as I stare at the closed bathroom door.

And then need fires through the bond.

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