Page 114 of Toxic

I looked at him coldly, knowing—in every cell of my body—that he was lying. No idea why, but I just didn’t believe him.

"If Soren actually were into petite betas, maybe I’d believe you, but I’m not going to fall for that. You know what Soren really likes?" I narrowed my eyes, staring at him.

If he wanted to play this game, he was going to get a taste of it.

"Do you know how he comes? Just a few strokes from me, my lips on his pretty nipples, and he lets out this soft, sweet moan, then he climaxes. He loves it. He loves being touched. He loves being kissed. He loves my tongue in his clenching hole. Every inch of his skin was on fire under my hands…" I leaned in as I spoke, intentionally whispering with an erotic, sultry tone. I knew this would provoke him.

Liam’s face turned a furious shade of red, his nostrils flaring, his lips quivering. He definitely didn’t like that—at all! He clenched his fists and growled, "Stay away from him, or you’ll regret it. I promise you that, right here and now!"

I laughed loudly, leaning back in my chair. "Don’t you feel it already? Soren and I… we’re meant to be. That’s how I see it, even if he doesn’t believe it."

Liam’s energy became incredibly cold and calm when he spoke again. "I’ll say it one more time: stay away from him, or you’ll regret it."

Then he stood up and smiled—a smile like a shark’s, with eyes that remained still.

"Enjoy your meal, Skye."

He turned and walked away.

As he turned his back to me, I couldn’t help but glance at his ass—the one Sean had praised so highly during a convo with me and Soren in the college cafeteria. It was obvious that Liam's butt was the result of lumbar lordosis, with the typical curve in the lower back that made his buttocks more pronounced. Still, I doubted it added Liam any attraction points, at least from Soren's point of view. I was pretty convinced—he wasn’t Soren’s type, good ass or not.

During the entire time this childish exchange went on, Soren sat at his table without looking in our direction, his hands pressed to the sides of his head, as if he were battling a migraine. He gently massaged his temples, perhaps trying to push the pain away. When Liam sat across from him, Soren didn’t even lift his head. He didn’t acknowledge him.

I already knew I wouldn’t give up. Never. Even if it took my whole life. I knew it sounded like something a madman would say, like someone with an obsession. But I didn’t care. I just… didn’t care.

SOREN

My head was pounding, and Liam stared at me with those light cappuccino eyes of his.

"He’s not going to give up, Soren."

I stayed silent. My mind was blank, except for the pain filling it to the brim.

"Aren’t you going to say anything? No comment?"

I sighed in frustration. "What do you expect from me, Liam? I didn’t hire him. I don’t know why he’s here. Maybe you know, since you talked to him," I snapped irritably.

Liam closed his eyes, trying hard to stay calm.

"He didn’t give me an answer. At least, he didn’t say what his plans were. He only said he wanted to see you at least one more time."

And there it was again, that stabbing pain. My head felt like it was splitting in two, and my body felt sick. What the hell was happening?

"Maybe he just got a job here. His brother works here; perhaps it’s just a coincidence. A lot of people from our class wanted to intern at DevApp," I muttered, trying to sound a bit more civil.

Of course, what I just said was all bullshit, but I wanted to calm him down.

Liam had truly put up with my moods for the past two months with saint-like patience. He hadn’t raised his voice or lost his temper, not even once. It seemed almost impossible for anyone to be that understanding. I admired him for his persistence, for not giving up on the idea that there could be a chance for us.

But deep down, at the core, I already knew there wasn’t a chance. I kept up this illusion that I could be with Liam, feeling obligated to try, but I knew I was ultimately destined for loneliness. My sexual orientation was directed one way: to alphas. And strongly, for that matter. I had never been attracted to betas or omegas, not even a little. I couldn’t change that about myself, no matter how much I wanted to, no matter how much easier it would make things.

But still, I was leading Liam on, keeping him close, giving him false hope for the future. It wasn’t fair. In moments like these, when those thoughts ran through my mind, I hated myself even more than usual. I was just a self-serving jerk.

"What do you all want from me?" I whispered in a defeated voice. "I’m a nasty person. I don’t have any special virtues or—"

I fell silent, hesitating.

Liam tilted his head. "Some things are hard to explain. Sometimes, you just like someone, and you can’t put it into words. But if you’re wondering what that alpha sees in you, it’s only your physical beauty," he said in a bitter tone, shooting a quick, sharp glance at Skye, who was still sitting at his table, head hanging over his tray, looking gloomy.

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