Page 190 of Toxic

I chuckled slightly, and wiggled my eyebrows. "So why did you even agree to be, what, ‘friends with benefits’, if you were both fighting for the… top position?"

Winter sighed impatiently. "You know, over the years, we developed a certain… flexibility, you could say. Agreed on some compromises." He shrugged. "But I still wouldn’t want a normal relationship with him. Finn reminds me too much of myself. Even today, he couldn’t stop talking about his latest research award. He’s proud of it, and I get it, but I think he needs someone who’ll look at him like he’s the center of the universe, maybe even obsess over him, and I’m not that person. Not that I don’t appreciate his talents! But I think he sees other people’s achievements as a challenge to his own. He needs a less… equal relationship. Honestly, he should’ve been born an alpha; he always wants to lead."

"Kind of like yourself," I murmured under my breath. "But what’s interesting is that Liam practically idolized Soren,obsessing over him. He might just be the kind of ‘fan’ Finn needs. Maybe they'll find some common ground?" I added with a cheeky grin.

About ten minutes later, we reached Winter’s place. I suddenly remembered that I’d left my hoodie at his apartment, so I got out of the car and went up with him.

While there, I decided to use the bathroom and take a quick shower, since the hike had left me sweaty. I didn’t want to return to Soren like that, especially when I was expecting we might have a heated discussion that could lead to a… heated reconciliation.

Winter offered me some clean clothes, so I locked myself in the bathroom while he went out onto the balcony with a cup of tea.

The warm water helped calm my racing thoughts. So much had happened. My mind had been spinning, but the shower had a way of clearing it all out. Just as I was getting out, I heard the doorbell ring.

I didn’t hear Winter answer it—he was probably still on the balcony.

Muttering under my breath, I quickly threw on a T-shirt and boxers, then headed out of the bathroom. Without checking who was there, I opened the door… and froze.

It was Soren.

The sight of him made my heart clench. His eyes were red, his face flushed, and there were tear stains on his cheeks. He was trembling slightly, his hands pressed to his chest in a pleading gesture. A sob escaped from his throat.

"Skye…"

"Baby…"

He practically leapt at me, clinging to me with his whole body, shaking.

"Skye, Skye, Skye!"

"Shhh, baby, don’t cry… How the hell did you find me?" I couldn’t help but ask—it was strange.

"I know I’m a horrible bastard. I’m scum, I’ve hurt everyone who ever loved or cared for me—"

"Shhh, baby… Please! I need to tell you—"

But Soren wouldn’t stop. He clung to me desperately. "I don’t deserve you, but I’m begging you, please forgive me. Forgive me for those months when I pushed you away, when I wouldn’t give you a chance. I was a fool, a coward, and because of my actions, everyone suffered. Please, give me one more chance… because, damn it, you’re my whole world, Skye!"

He looked up at me with stormy eyes, full of tears—those beautiful eyes that resembled rainy clouds.

"I didn’t cheat on you, Skye! I couldn’t, I never would—not to you. I love you, and I want to be with you forever. And… I believe we’re True Mates. Actually, I know it. That’s how I found you here!"

Feeling a warmth bubble forming in my chest, I cupped his face in my hands.

"Baby, I know all that. I talked to Liam."

Soren blinked in shock. "What?"

"I'll explain later, but the important thing is… I know you didn't cheat on me."

Soren’s hands gripped my shirt, and I saw the return of the Soren I knew so well. He scrunched his nose and huffed in irritation.

"What? So why did you leave me hanging, you jerk? I was falling apart here, I thought I was going to die. Never leave me, you understand? I forbid it!"

His growl was so cute, a mixture of beta and omega sounds, and I couldn't help but grin at him. He didn't even realize it, but he was making a lot more omega sounds, whereas before herarely made any AO-like sounds at all, his change was becoming more and more noticeable.

"There you are back, my sweet, sassy Soren. That’s what I like to see."

Soren pouted, pretending to be offended. "Why didn’t you answer your phone? It was killing me. You know that you’re only mine…" He kept nervously tugging at my T-shirt. "You can’t just disappear like that and not let me explain, not give me a chance—"

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