Page 33 of Sweet Omega
“Did you hear me?” the alpha asked again, eyebrows lifting.
“Uh…yes,” Ludiin stammered. “Yes, I would like a drink.”
He watched the alpha head toward the table, the urge to bolt surging deep inside him. Overwhelming. The alpha would have to forgive him. He needed a moment. Just one minute where he could breathe without choking on nerves.
Ludiin rushed through the glass doors and let the darkness swallow him whole. The cool night air wrapped around his skin, soothing the tension coiled in his chest.
At last, he could breathe.
He stepped down the stairs that spilled into the garden, but froze when a low voice cut through the quiet.
“Running away from your party?”
His head snapped toward the deep voice. Tarymn was casually leaning against the wall a few paces from the door, bathed in the semi-darkness.
“I’m not running,” Ludiin said.
“Oh?” The single syllable hung in the air, challenging, amused.
“I just…needed a second to breathe.”
Tarymn pushed off the wall, his long strides closing the distance between them. “Then take a walk with me,” he said, already descending the steps.
Ludiin hesitated, torn.
He wanted to be alone. And Tarymn was the last person he wanted to be around. But the thought of going back inside, of plastering on a false smile and pretending to be interested in conversations that didn’t interest him, made his stomach twist. With a quiet sigh, he gave in and followed the alpha down the paved path.
Motion-sensor lights flickered on with each step, spilling soft white glow over the garden. Flowers gleamed in the fresh wash of light, their petals jeweled with dew, their fragrance sweet in the night air. Ludiin’s breath caught. He hadn’t explored the garden after dark until now. It was magical, almost otherworldly.
“See anyone you like in there?” Tarymn asked suddenly, shattering his bliss.
Ludiin blinked, thrown. “What?”
“The alphas your brother and mine lined up for you,” Tarymn said casually, but his voice sounded tight. “Did any of them interest you?”
Heat flared in Ludiin’s cheeks, mortification rising fast.Why did he have to say it like that?
“You don’t have to put it like that,” Ludiin said, glancing away.
“Like what?”
“Like I was on display or something,” Ludiin said, though it was exactly how it had felt. The whole room had been packed with alphas. Even Hym had brought one. Not a single omega in sight.
“Weren’t you?”
“Ugh… stop.” Ludiin groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “It was humiliating. I felt like I was dying a slow death with every smile.”
Tarymn chuckled, low and unbothered. “Everyone goes through awkward moments. Don’t torture yourself over it. You handled it well.”
Ludiin’s head snapped toward him. “You were watching me?”
Tarymn stopped and faced him. “Yes.”
Ludiin’s heart stuttered. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to make sure you were alright.” His eyes narrowed, one brow lifted. “You said you don’t like strangers, remember?”
Heat curled in Ludiin’s chest. He looked away quickly. “Thank you?”
