Page 50 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

I had a feeling she was leaning toward the latter.

“D-Damian,” she breathed. “What are you doing here?”

I didn’t answer immediately. I kept my gaze on her face, taking in the flush of her cheeks and the way her lips parted as if she were already preparing to argue with me. She shifted uncomfortably on the spot.

“I came to talk to you,” I finally said.

“About what?”

I stepped inside as she spoke, brushing past her without waiting for permission.

“Damian,” Tala hissed, shutting the door quickly behind me. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s very late. What will the servants think?”

I turned to face her, the rage and frustration palpable on my face. “I don’t care what the servants think.” I snapped, my voice sharp with frustration.

Tala froze, her eyes widening in surprise as she stared at me.

“Why do you keep doing this, Tala? Do you enjoy watching me suffer? Is that it, huh?”

She folded her arms, her expression guarded. “What are you talking about, Damian?”

“Just when I think I’m tearing down the walls you’ve built between us and when I think I’m making progress, you build an even bigger one.”

Her nostrils flared, and her body went rigid. “Okay, first of all, I’m not doing anything. We’ve been busy with the outreach. Reports from the patrol units are coming in soon. And you—” her voice faltered for half a second, then steadied. “You’ve been busy planning your mating ceremony.”

I let out a sharp breath, moving closer. “That’s your excuse this time?”

She lifted her chin, defiant. “Plus, Damian, the relationship between us should not extend beyond council room discussions and negotiations.”

“But it does,” I said with a frustrated growl as I kept closing the distance between us. “And it did.”

Tala tried to step back, but her back met the wall instead. She let out a sigh, muttering a quiet curse under her breath.

“Tell me,” I said, my voice rough with a need I could no longer suppress. “Tell me that you haven’t thought about the kiss. That it meant absolutely nothing to you.”

Her lips parted, but she hesitated, her pulse jumping at her throat.

“Damian, it was just a—”

“A momentary lapse of confusion?” I cut in, tilting my head.

She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes flashing.

“I don’t think you’re confused, Tala,” I continued, my voice low. “I think you’re in denial. And fuck, is it both infuriating and frustrating?”

By now, I was only inches away. Tala’s chest rose and fell with each breath, her eyes darting everywhere except mine. She pressed her hands against my chest, but she didn’t push me away. Instead, she let out an exasperated sigh, her voice edged with frustration. “What the hell do you want me to do, Damian?”

“Stop building walls between us,” I said. “And allow yourself to feel.”

She looked up at me, frustration and vulnerability clashing in her eyes. “How can you ask me to do that?” Her voice wavered, and I saw the glossiness creeping into her gaze.

“You’re going to mate with another woman in less than twenty-four hours.”

“Don’t you see it, Tala?” I raked a hand through my hair, steppingback as frustration burned through me. “I don’t want her. I want you. It’s always been you. And I’ll prove it to you. I’ll put an end to this mating ceremony.”

Tala let out a small nervous laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous, Damian. Your marriage to Serena is the only thing holding this alliance together.”

“I don’t care what the cost is as long as it means I get to be with you.”

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