Page 34 of Bound By Pain
It hurts. No matter how much I try to remind myself that he made his stance on our future clear, the spark of hope in my chest doesn’t seem to flicker out.
It’s also frustrating as hell. I do not want to chase after an Alpha who has made it clear he doesn’t want me. Accepting his help doesn’t mean I am trying to convince him to love me, but my inner Omega seems to think it does.
My instincts need to take a seat on the back burner and let logical thought take the reins for a while.
CHAPTER 18
“Have you flown before?”Orion asks, sliding into the seat on one side of me.
“I have. Only commercial, though.”
Creed takes my other side, his huge body pressing against mine. He reaches over and buckles me in, soaking me in his petrichor scent. I can’t help but lean in and inhale deeply, feeling more settled than I had a moment ago.
“We can watch movies on the flight back, if you want,” Orion offers as he buckles himself in.
I distractedly agree, my attention on the two Alphas climbing into the back row. Aside from one or two brief visits, I have barely seen Lex. I knew he was there. My other mates mentioned he had stationed himself outside of my room, content to guard me out of sight.
If Shiloh’s actions confuse me, Lex’s threaten to break me. He is my Fate-matched mate, something he himself has confirmed, yet he can’t even handle being in the same room?
When he senses me staring, his haunting gray eyes turn my way, darkening. His chest hitches slightly, but he turns to face forward, not uttering so much as a simple hello.
How fucked up am I to still crave him? Even when he acts like I barely exist in his world?
Orion’s hand slips into mine, grounding me from the impending spiral Lex’s presence has caused. I give him a tight smile as I settle into my seat.
Perhaps it is time to let go of the connection between Lex and me. We’re growing more toxic by the moment. It would be better if he weren’t forced to feel this tether to me. Wouldn’t it?
Plane rides are too calming. Despite Omen and her pack joining us, I ended up sleeping through the short flight back to the Northeast.
Drowsy-eyed, I wince when I stand from my seat and put too much pressure on my ankle. Glancing down, I silently curse the black brace sticking out from beneath my wide-legged, stretchy pants. Being immobilized by this injury is going to drive me insane!
“I’ve got you, kitten.” Creed’s arms wrap around me, sweeping me against his chest. I melt against him, happy to allow him to carry me off the plane.
The soft hint of earthiness in his scent lulls me back to a light stage of sleep. One where I can still hear the dulled soundsof life moving around us, but my mind is too relaxed to process anything being said.
When he slides me into another car, I can’t fight the pout that pushes at my lips. I don’t want to sit in my seat; I want him to hold me!
“Hush, Omega,” he whispers, pressing his lips against my ear as he secures my seat belt. “Safety first. I’ll hold you and never let you go when we’re not in a moving vehicle.”
Everyone else climbs in after they move our bags to the trunk, sitting silently as we begin the drive home.
With each passing mile, my anxiety grows. What happens when we get back to the city? My apartment isn’t big enough for all of us. Will they even want to stay with me?
A growl rips through the air, stalling my hectic thoughts. Turning my head, I see Lex with his phone pressed to his ear, a ferocious look on his usually impassive face. “We’ll head there as soon as we get back into town.”
I grimace, jerking my head forward to hide my discomfort. I don’twanthim to leave. Any of them, really.
“Marcus was spotted in New York entering an Eternal-run business.”
Creed tenses beside me. His whole body rigid. “And?” His question comes out sharp, spoken through gritted teeth.
“You already know what that means,” Lex grunts.
Based on the way Creed is clenching and unclenching his hands, he does. I, however, do not. Who is Marcus? And why does hearing his name ignite my mate’s rage?
“Where do you need to go?” Shiloh asks from the passenger seat, his stubble-covered jaw tense. If I weren’t concerned and confused by the ongoing conversation, I might enjoy the rugged look my boss is currently rocking.
“FCDA headquarters will work. We’ll pass it on the way.”
