Page 49 of Bound By Pain
When we arrive at the Academy, I accompany both men inside. As an Omega, I cannot go all the way onto their campus, but escorting Spencer to the dean’s office is fine.
On the way, I learn about Spencer’s love for music, hearing that Shiloh took over teaching him to play guitar after Spencer’s parents passed. The two of them make quite a pair. My stoic, reserved Alpha and his shy but talkative protégé.
Enrolling Spencer takes a long time. There is a ton of paperwork to fill out and checks for Shiloh to sign, but in the end, he is accepted.
Standing outside, I take several steps away to give them a moment to themselves. It’s clear Spencer is nervous, and I know Shiloh will ease his concerns. He hands him an envelope from inside his jacket before they exchange teary-eyed hugs.
With many promises to visit, we part ways. A security guard leads Spencer further onto the campus toward the dorms, while Shiloh guides me back to the parking lot.
Stopping him by the front of the car, I play with his lapels. “I’m surprised to see this side of you. Thank you for showing me.”
“You deserve to know all of me, Sabine. The good and the ugly.”
“What you are doing for these kids,” I continue, “is wonderful. I think I would enjoy doing the same. If you could point me in the right direction to start.”
His hands wrap over mine, holding me against his chest. “It would be my pleasure to assist you.”
Our moment is interrupted when my stomach growls loudly, sounding like a starving mountain lion.
Shiloh’s lips twitch as he bites back a grin. “Let’s get you fed before you try to eat me.”
“I’m not that hungry,” I grumble as I climb into the car. His laughter is loud enough that I can hear it after the door has closed. As weird and slightly unsettling as it is, I feel like something has awakened inside of Shiloh. Some peace he hadn’t found before.
Does this mean he’s changed his mind? Or is this yet another glimpse into a future he plans to tear away from me?
Settling back into my seat, I silently hope it is the former, because I do not know if I can handle the latter. Not again.
Clinging to the door of Shiloh’s car, I silently curse myself for leaving my brace at home. Putting pressure on my ankle sends pain shooting up my leg. There is no way I will make it inside the restaurant without crying. Or collapsing.
With gritted teeth, I try again to put my full weight on it.
“Sabine?” Shiloh’s voice is sharp as he rounds the front of the car, lips pulled down into the barest hint of a frown. His eyes lock on the way I have my injured foot carefully lifted off the ground. “You’re hurting.”
I jerk a nod, waiting for him to scold me. A yelp escapes my lips, arms flying to wrap around his neck, when he lifts me into his arms.
“We cannot walk into the restaurant like this,” I hiss.
As an Omega, I am not embarrassed in the slightest to be wrapped around one of my Fate-matched mates, but I don’t think Shiloh feels the same. He is always careful not to blur the lines between professionalism and personal life when we are in public.
Shiloh gives me an unimpressed look, shutting the car door with his hip. “Walking hurts you, so I shall carry you.”
“But-”
“I will not hear any arguments on this matter. As your Alpha, it is my responsibility to care for you. If anyone inside has aproblem with us, they can look the other way and mind their own damn business.”
Yet again, I am shocked speechless. First, he told Spencer I was his Omega, now he is pronouncing himself as my Alpha? There has to be a catch. No one changes their mind this quickly.
“Two, please.”
His voice rumbles in my ear, bringing my worries to a soft lull instead of a roar. I might not trust him to stick around forever, but for now, he’s here and isn’t pushing me away. Maybe that can be enough.
I slide into my seat, scooting further into the booth when Shiloh follows me. I eye him, wondering why he didn’t choose the seat across from me. If he enjoys sharing this small space, who am I to deny him?
A server comes to take our orders, and I realize I haven’t even looked at their menu. Both are sitting before Shiloh, who hasn’t touched them either.
“Two iced teas, an order of Mandu, and two orders of Japchae. Please.”
“I don’t get to order for myself?” I ask when he turns to look back at me.
