Page 5 of The Alpha's Ordeal

“I don’t know why you brought me here you could have just warned me off and sent me on my way.” Troy sniped and Eamon kept looking more and more confused. Eamon took a deep breath and held out his hand to Troy who refused to take it. Eamon then motioned toward the front door and started in that direction. Troy hesitated for a moment and then followed. He’d hear him out and then he could be on his way.

CHAPTER THREE

Eamon was at a total loss as to what was happening. How had their gentle and tentative first meeting turned into such a harsh and painful misunderstanding? At what point did things go wrong? He opened the door and stepped in, looking back to make sure Troy was following him. He kept his head down and looked completely closed off.

He could feel his heart tightening with apprehension and filled with a desire to work this out as soon as possible. Eamon went into the living room but then decided perhaps the sitting room he used for his morning and evening coffee would be a better environment. He didn’t want anyone to walk in and the living room was open to drop ins.

“Are you hungry or thirsty, can I get you anything?” He asked and Troy shook his head. He was glancing around the room but refused to look at Eamon. “Please sit.” He urged and Troy sat on the sofa and Eamon took a seat on the coffee table directly in front of the sofa. Troy moved back trying to put as much space between them as possible, but Eamon leaned forward with the intent of getting as close as possible.

“I don’t know why you’re acting so distant and angry.” He began not sure if it was the course to take. “I recognized you asmy mate when I got close to the cell. I know that you recognized me as well. There was no slight or rejection.”

Troy nailed him with those dark eyes, and his contempt was thick. It bore through him like a laser. Troy seemed to be under the impression that Eamon did not want this and that he was denying him.

“That was your Beta with you and the cops all answer to you and yet you kept our connection secret. What were you afraid of?” Troy’s accusation was clear.

"I wasn't afraid of anything." Eamon shot back. "I don't share all my personal thoughts and feelings. I just found you, and announcing it to the room isn't my style."

"Yeah, I'm afraid you're mistaking me for someone naïve as to the ways of the world. I've worked all over the world for the past ten years, and believe me, I know a bullshitter when I see one. Try your excuses on someone else because they won't work with me." Troy was about to get up, but Eamon placed his hand on Troy's thigh, holding him in place.

“I wanted to speak with you alone first. I wanted for us to get to know each to talk and make plans before making announcements.” Eamon struggled to say the right thing because he did not know where he stood at the moment.

"I'll call my brother, and believe me, he will be here within the hour to get me. I'll be out of your hair, and we can just forget this ever happened. No announcements necessary." Troy went to reach for his phone, but Eamon stopped him.

"Are you denying me?" Eamon asked, fearing the worst.

"If you weren't embarrassed by me, then you would not have had a problem stating my importance to you. You would have told them who I was, and I would have reciprocated. Thebond was clear to me the moment I saw you and scented your clean, fresh lavender scent. Your hesitance and silence left me feeling less than suitable.” Troy tried again to move away from Eamon, but he wasn’t letting go.

"I never meant for you to feel anything but acknowledged and valued. I'm sorry that my silence offended you." Eamon pleaded for understanding. Troy was still holding back and giving nothing but a cold distance. "In my mind, I wanted to get you away from there, away from those who had hurt you. I wanted you to be here in my home with me, just the two of us. You are my mate, and I will do whatever it takes to prove to you that I am committed."

Troy looked away toward the door and the thought of losing him washed over Eamon. Could it all be over could everything end because of a stupid mistake? His thoughts were racing with ideas, plans, hopes anything to convince this gorgeous man that Eamon Coles would do anything for him.

“Troy Florin you are my mate, and I will not lose you.” He stated loud and clear. “If you think that I don’t want you, you are wrong. I want you more than anything in this world. Nothing will come before you in my life.” Eamon just kept pushing his feelings to the surface not used to sharing such emotions but trusting his mate to keep them safe.

Troy finally looked engaged his eyes took in every expression, every shift and shadow. He studied him and slowly Troy began to let go. His face softened as did the hard look in his eyes. He was seeing him probably for the first time. He slowly moved his hand over to cover Eamon’s a move that brought relief and hope.

“You recognized me but did not claim me in front of your men. I don’t know you, so I took that as a denial and everythingafter that as preparation for a final dismissal.” Troy explained and Eamon moved to sit next to him on the sofa needing the contact and the close proximity of his mate. The real fear of almost losing him was still pumping through his system and his wolf was poised to mark and claim immediately.

"I wanted you safe, and my wolf was not satisfied. His fear was escalated by the fact that an officer had already assaulted you. We needed to have you here in our home and under our protection. I'm sorry if I didn't take into consideration what my behavior might look like to you. I should have handled it better, but in my defense, I've never found my Fated mate before, and it was rather shocking and amazing and heart-stopping." Eamon ended with a pleading smile that Troy reciprocated, but wariness was still present.

He was trying to understand and that was all Eamon could ask for at this point. He decided to change the subject and do what he came there to do and that was to get to know his mate. “Your brother is the Coven Second, but you chose not to enter into leadership or defense. What drew you to a job so completely outside of your Coven?”

Troy had stated that he was a working fashion model and had worked the world over, so he was clearly successful but why with such connections within the Coven did he strike off on his own. Eamon was simply curious.

“I’m not a soldier or a guard or on the fast track to leadership so naturally my life and choices are suspect to you.” Troy snapped and pulled back slightly. This caught Eamon completely by surprise.

“What are you talking about?” He burst not ready to fall back inside the same hole he’d just climbed out of. “I was just asking about your life I wasn’t making a judgment. Your lifechoices are your own I wasn’t calling anything into question I just want to know you.” Eamon felt his emotions rising and the craziness of this conversation was wearing him down. Was his every word to be taken and analyzed and deemed a slight from now until forever.

Troy realized that his initial hurt was taking over his every thought and reaction and it wasn’t attractive. Eamon was trying to make amends, and Troy was making it impossible. “I’m sorry.” He said finally and gave Eamon his full attention.

"I'm in a bad place mentally and emotionally right now, and I'm seeing everyone as my enemy, even you, my dearest beloved, and I am sorry." Troy dropped his gaze to where their hands were connected. "My car let me down, I was interrogated and beaten by a couple of asshole cops, I was dragged into the station where the two assholes were joined by a legion of assholes, and then my beloved ignored me. It has been a long night." He glanced up at Eamon through his lashes and hoped he would understand, and he did much more than understand.

Eamon wrapped his arms around Troy and pulled him into his lap. Troy was not a tiny person, although not as large or as broad as Eamon. Still, Eamon handled him like he weighed nothing and cradled on his lap, burying his face in Troy's hair. It was unexpected and exactly what he needed.

“It has been a long night.” Eamon repeated his words on a whisper. “And the best night of my life so far.” Troy couldn’t help himself and pressed into Eamon’s embrace. Being in the arms of his beloved was a feeling that defied description. Nothing and no one had ever felt this right and this good.

"I'm sorry, Eamon."

“I’m sorry too baby.” The endearment went right o Troy’s heart and melted it leaving him needy and wanting. “Let’s start over.” Eamon said and then lifted his head and spoke to the empty room. “This is Troy Florin, and he is my Fated mate.” It made Troy smile. “I will never deny you my love, never.”

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