Page 58 of Sweet Omega
“There was nothing you could have done,” Tarymn cut in, lifting his head, eyes haunted. “We were too late. If only I’d figured it out sooner… they wouldn’t have gone after Deltta like that.”
Ludiin blinked. Deltta?
He thought they were talking about last night.
“Last night…” Ludiin murmured, but Tarymn was already shaking his head.
“It wasn’t your fault,” he repeated, softer now, regret thick in his tone. “I should’ve been stronger. But I needed something to take my mind off what was happening. And when you walked into my room… and you smelled so good… I couldn’t fucking stop myself. I’m sorry,” he whispered before pressing his face into the crook of Ludiin’s neck again, arms tightening around him as if he was afraid to let go.
Ludiin sat there, frozen in his embrace, heart crumbling. He knew he should be glad that last night meant nothing, that Tarymn had used him as a distraction, an escape from the chaos happening around them.
Ludiin had used him too.
But God, it fucking hurt.
It hurt so much, it felt like invisible hands were tearing his heart apart piece by piece. His throat tightened, eyes burning until tears welled up. He blinked furiously, trying to chase them away, but the sting refused to fade.
“Next time, I’ll find you an alpha,” Tarymn said suddenly, voice muffled against his skin. “Someone good. This won’t happen again, okay?”
Ludiin didn’t reply.
“Ludiin?” Tarymn pulled back to look him in the eyes.
“…okay,” he said, voice barely above a whisper.
“What happened to the alpha you said you arranged? He didn’t show up?”
“I…”
But Tarymn didn’t wait. He eased both of them down onto the couch with Ludiin still wrapped in his arms. They lay face to face, breath mingling, bodies close.
“It doesn’t matter,” Tarymn murmured. “Next time, I’ll find someone reliable. Someone who’ll take care of you.”
Ludiin swallowed hard. He could feel everything—every brush of skin, every breath Tarymn took against his throat.
What was Tarymn doing?Ludiin didn’t understand.
Tarymn’s arms were around him, solid and warm, but his words were about another alpha. It was strange, almost funny in a twisted way, like Tarymn didn’t realize how fucked-up he sounded.
Did he really feel nothing for him?
“Speak to me,” Tarymn murmured, eyes drifting shut.
“What?”
“Speak to me.”
“And say what?” Ludiin whispered again, barely trusting his voice.
“Anything,” came the reply. “Your voice… it soothes me.”
Ludiin bit the inside of his cheek, pain flaring in his chest at his words. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
Tarymn let out a low grunt, arms pulling Ludiin closer, confusing him further.
Ludiin watched the alpha’s face, so peaceful now, a stark contrast to the storm that had churned behind his eyes earlier. Was he helping him somehow? Calming him just by being there?
Then maybe…He reached out hesitantly, and let his fingers graze Tarymn’s brow, tracing the soft skin with a featherlight touch. “What is that grunt supposed to mean? I told you I don’t know what to say.” Silence met his words. “Are you even listening to me?”
