Page 27 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

I paused against my better judgment. He waited for the last of the elders to disappear before standing. His steps were measured as he moved toward me, each one making my heart race in my chest. My fingers curled around the hem of my shirt as he drew closer. But then he stopped, just inches away, and I couldn’t explain the strange pang of disappointment that settled in my gut.

“I’m sorry for Elder Maren’s words earlier,” he said softly, his eyes burning into mine. “You should know I don’t see you that way.”

Swallowing a chunk of nothing, I averted my gaze from him. “Thank you, Damian, but I don’t really care what you think.”

His eyes stayed locked on me, searching my face like he was trying to read my expression. “Do you really mean that?” he asked, his voice low.

“Yes.”

He nodded slowly. Then, with quiet hesitation, he asked again, “Do you hate me, Tala?”

I froze, whipping my gaze back to him. “What?” The question threw me off guard.

“After everything that happened between us…do you hate me?”

The truth knotted in my chest. Hate would’ve been simpler. Easier. It would’ve given me a better reason to hold onto the anger. But what I felt for Damian was far more complicated, an ache tangled with frustration and a longing I couldn’t ignore.

I exhaled sharply, my voice quieter than I intended. “I don’t have the energy to hate you, Damian.”

It was the truth. I’d tried to hate him, really tried. I had every reason to, but somehow, I couldn’t.

The weight of my words lingered between us. My gaze didn’t waver from his, and in that moment, I saw him, not just the man who’d hurt me, but the mate I’d once loved. My wolf stirred, restless inside me, pulling me closer to him, urging me to let go of the distance and let myself fall back into him.

I could smell his desire. Damian’s gaze on me darkened, a storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. And when he stepped closer, covering the distance between us, I didn’t stop him.

He leaned in, just close enough that I felt the warmth of his breath against my neck, but our bodies never quite touched. Still, the heat between us was enough to set every nerve in my body alight. I hadn’t realized it until now, but the raw need had been building inside me. Need for him. Just him.

He inhaled deeply and groaned low in frustration. “Why can’t I seem to catch your scent?” he muttered, taking another breath.

Damian pulled back slightly, eyes meeting mine as if trying to find the answer to that question in my gaze. I said nothing.

His hand lifted, reaching for my face. But then he hesitated mid-air, as if contemplating whether to touch me or not. But that hesitation lasted for all of one second before his second hand slid around my waist and pulled me into him.

I let out a small gasp, and when his other hand rested on my face, I leaned into it. His touch was warm and gentle. I closed my eyes, unable to stop myself from nuzzling into his palm. I couldn’t bring myself to admit how good it was and how his touch ignited me. But it was undeniable. It felt too damn good.

Mate.

The possessive whisper of my wolf sent a shudder through me. She pressed against my consciousness, stirring, restless. A deep longing resonated in my chest, a craving that had nothing to do with logic and everything to do with instinct.

In that moment, I forgot everything. The past, the hurt, they disappeared. It was just me and him, and it felt right.

But then, someone’s voice broke through the moment.

“Damian?”

My eyes snapped open at the sound of the voice, and I turned quickly to see an unfamiliar man standing in the doorway. His gaze flicked between us, his face a mix of surprise and something else.

Without a word, I stepped back from Damian, pulling away from his touch. I gathered the last of my things, my hands trembling slightly, and practically fled from the room.

Dear goodness, what was I thinking?

Chapter 13

Damian

I bit back the urge to snap at Grayson as a flustered Tala gathered her belongings and scurried out of the room. Inhaling sharply, I dragged one hand through my hair until the frantic rhythm of her heartbeat faded down the hall. Ever since I saw her a few days ago, I’d been restless. I wanted nothing more than to touch her, to feel the smooth warmth of her olive skin under my fingers. And now that I had, it wasn’t enough. Not even close. I wanted more. So much more. And maybe I could have had that if Grayson hadn’t barged in.

My wolf let out a low, impatient growl, mirroring the frustration coiling in my chest. I scraped my boot against the floor, dragging it slowly before sinking back into my seat. My gaze locked on Grayson, daring him to explain why he’d barged in.

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