Page 45 of Bound By Pain
The solutions I’ve considered so far are to buy her a house, but that requires moving her out of the city. She loves being in the midst of the chaos here.
I also briefly considered buying the property next to her best friend’s pack, but the thought of living out by the lake didn’t fit right either. Not to say Bea isn’t an outdoorsy Omega, I just cannot picture her enjoying life in a home where she cannot start her day with a chain store coffee.
Crossing those options off my list, that leaves finding a way for her to live in the city. Which brings to light the risks of housing her in an insecure building. I cannot settle for her living somewhere with lackluster security. Even with her other mates to protect her, all it takes is one night alone for something terrible to happen.
Unfortunately, the safest apartment building in the city is the one where I live, and it is currently unavailable to new renters.
Many of the packs living there are opting to expand their square footage instead of renting out the other apartments on their floors. A plan that the building owner supports because itallows him to triple or quadruple their monthly rent, while also charging them the reconstruction costs.
Theoretically, I could buy out the neighbors beside and below me, and expand my apartment to two floors. But could I handle having Bea live so closely without giving in to the need to bond that constantly pulses through my veins?
The painful throb behind my eyes tells me I need to focus on other tasks. I have yet to accomplish a single task, and it is nearing lunchtime.
Raised voices in the hallway have my brows pull together. I push my chair back and cross the room, intending to find out what the issue is.
Anger chases shock when I see Bea in a standoff with Ridley. What the fuck is she doing here?
“You are not returning to work,” Ridley growls, taking a step toward her. She instinctively steps back, wincing when she puts pressure on her ankle. An ankle that is not wrapped in its brace as it is supposed to be.
“Managing bands is not more important than your health. You can’t walk without wincing, and your stitches haven’t dissolved yet. You need to rest and heal, Bea.”
“I can decide for myself!” Bea crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at the other Alpha. “Sitting at my desk, filling out paperwork, and calling venues will not be any more stressful than being cooped up in my apartment for another day!”
Ridley throws his arms up, head tilted back, as she stubbornly refuses to listen. “We can visit your parents, Omen, or even Foster! Or we could see a movie! Anything but working! Why are you pushing yourself?”
“Because I need to be here!” Bea yells, her arms dropping to her sides.
I study her closely, noting the increasing rise and fall of her chest and the tremor in her hands. She’s on the verge ofpanicking, something Ridley must also sense. His body relaxes, expression smoothing out as he takes a small step forward.
When Bea turns away from him, head shaking, I realize what is happening. And it guts me. She was working when she was taken. Not here specifically, but I think in her mind it is the same. My mate wants to prove to herself that she’s strong enough to handle returning to a career that inadvertently led to her abduction.
Fates, how hadn’t I considered the mental repercussions being at Soulbound would have on her?
Ridley looks lost, a hand running through his messy hair as he watches her. His eyes meet mine over her shoulder, and he jerks his head toward her.
Stepping closer, I watch Bea tense when my scent reaches her. “Sabine,” I rumble, stepping to her side. “In my office. Please.”
She huffs out a shaky breath, lips pursing together as she nods sharply. I hang back for a moment, letting Ridley know he can return to pick her up this afternoon. He readies to fight, but I do not wait for his response. Given the mark I can now see shimmering on his jaw, he should be able to feel her tumultuous emotions. I do not need to explain that she needs this. He already knows.
Closing my office door behind me, I click the lock shut before crossing to settle into my seat. I email Jane, asking her to move any appointments I have for the next few hours, and I request not to be disturbed.
Once I am sure no one will interrupt us, I slide my chair back and meet Bea’s eyes. The growing anxiety and rebellion I see written in their depths brings a smirk to my lips. As reluctant as my mate may be to admit it, we both know she needs my brand of attention to help break the foothold her fear has on her mind.
“Come here, Omega.” I point to the spot between me and the desk.
“I’d rather not, thanks,” she bites back, pacing before my desk.
Reaching out, I catch her wrist gently but firmly between my fingers. “That wasn’t a request.” My scent flares into the room, full of dominance and desire. Her pupils dilate, legs shifting restlessly as she breathes me in.
I ignore the fact that I cannot drown myself in her scent, focused solely on getting my Omega out of her head.
Reluctantly, she scoots around the edge of my desk and perches her peachy ass against the corner. There’s my favorite brat, ready to come out to play.
“Closer.”
She shifts forward half an inch, smirking when I give her an unimpressed look.
“Omega,” I warn.
