Page 50 of Bound By Pain
“No.”
Narrowing my eyes, I ready for a fight. Is it sweet that he is taking this decision out of my hands when I am too hungry to be decisive? Maybe. Am I going to admit that to him? Absolutely not!
“From your time living in my apartment, we both know you aren’t a picky eater. Your only request is mild to medium spice levels.”
“Still-”
“You are hungry, hurting, and exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Deciding what to eat is a task I can take off yourshoulders.” His foot nudges my leg, urging me to lift my sore ankle onto the seat opposite us.
Fates, he’s being way too thoughtful today. How am I supposed to stay angry with him when it’s like I’m interacting with an entirely different person?
One who still calls me Sabine, like the asshole he is. The way my full name sounds falling from his lips is growing on me.
“My high school friend group presented around the same time. All Alphas. We enrolled at the same Academy, and ended up rooming together, too.” A brittle smile stretches across his lips. “We were close enough that we felt like a pack. Fate was playing in our favor, right?”
Absentmindedly, he grabs my hand. The touch of his skin against mine is faint as he traces every line and groove on my palm.
“After we graduated, we all fell into our careers. I was a manager-in-training back then. Living on the road with bands and partying until the sun rose. Then they mether. Their Omega. They shared a scent match Fated connection, so they recognized Cedes as soon as they ran into each other at a local art show.”
My stomach twists, unsettled by the thought of him being in another pack. I force myself to bite back any noise of complaint, too afraid my discomfort would stop him from telling me more. His openness is a gift I want to treasure. I doubt anyone else would get to see the raw, tormented expressions crossing his face.
“You can imagine my excitement when they called to tell me. The men I considered my pack had found our mate. I didn’t return home for two days because the band I was helping manage was finishing its spring tour.
When I walked through the door of our apartment, her scent smacked me in the face. But there was no soul-deep, gut punchlike the others had described. I didn’t feel like my life had been turned upside down, and neither did she.”
My fingers flex, stilling his drawing. I twist my hand to intertwine with his, offering silent support and comfort. I’m afraid to hear what comes next. It’s obvious their split was far from amicable.
“Cedes was a very sweet Omega. She liked my scent enough that she wanted to keep me around. I was relieved not to have to leave the pack, and promised to do everything in my power to make her happy.”
He swallows thickly when our server arrives with our food, letting my hand go to push my plate toward me. Dark, rich brown eyes focus on me, watching until I take a bite. Only then does he continue his story.
“For years, we were fine. Happy. Then life happened. Financial struggles stemming from one of my packmates losing his job, and another making some bad investments. An executive role opened at the label, and I took it. Steady hours, less travel, and a significant increase in pay.”
Shiloh takes a bite, moving his noodles around on his plate as he chews. My heart is breaking for my Alpha. I don’t know what they did to hurt him like this, but I hope they faced the karma they deserved for it.
“One day, I came home from work to find her bent over the arm of the couch, being rutted into by one of her mates. I snapped. Hurt both of them. If the others hadn’t stepped in and knocked me out, who knows how far I would have gone to keep them away from her.”
Shiloh drops his chopsticks and turns to look at me, his expression grave. “When I woke up, she asked me to leave. Kicked me from the pack. One moment of jealousy was all it took for things to fall apart. That’s why I have been so reluctant toexplore the connection between us, Sabine. If I were to hurt you the way I did her… I could never forgive myself.”
Shoving a dumpling into my mouth, I take my time chewing. My initial reaction is to say fuck them all, but that is not the response Shiloh needs to hear.
I take a sip of my tea before twisting in the seat to face him. “Let me get this straight. You were in a relationship with this Omega foryearsand never bonded her? Then you took on a high-stress career change, had an Alpha meltdown, and her response was to immediately remove you from the pack?”
When he nods, I let an aggressive huff fall from my lips. “Fuck that bitch! I’m sorry, Shiloh, but there is no way she didn’t have a hand in instigating what happened. No Omega leads an Alpha on for that long, refusing to allow them to bond, and then suddenly changes their mind. She knew she didn’t want you in the pack and made sure she had a reason for you not to be.”
His brows furrow, mouth opening and closing several times. “I… you truly think so?”
Nodding rapidly, I press my hand to his chest, above his heart. “Yes. If we meet a compatible mate, Fate-matched or chosen, an instinctual drive revs to life in our bodies. During moments of sexual intimacy, our thoughts narrow to solidifying that bond. She led you on. For what reason, I’m not sure, but she did.”
His hand lands on mine, squeezing tightly. “I never considered things from that perspective.”
“You were heartbroken and packless. It’s normal to miss the red flags when there aren’t any green ones in sight.”
Leaning closer, I stare into his dark eyes, hoping he sees the depth of meaning behind my next words. “I’m not her, Shiloh. Our connection isn’t the same, nor are my intentions. Honestly, I don’t believe your reactions would be the same if you sawme with one of my other mates. Because, unlike those assholes, we’re your pack. You are ours, Alpha.”
He sucks in a sharp breath, but I can see his walls falling back into place, so I press a messy kiss to his cheek and turn back to my food.
“Eat, Alpha, before you’re the hangry one.”
