Page 66 of Sweet Omega
Tarymn only half-listened, his gaze drifting to the ceiling. If he focused, he could pick out the faint sounds of Ludiin moving above him as he murmured nonsense to himself. He used to lie on his couch and let those small noises fill the silence, a quiet comfort he hadn’t realized he’d come to miss.
“Yes, he’s here… No, he doesn’t feel well.”
A pause.
“I’ll let him know.”
Another pause.
“Yes, of course.”
When Pitra finally set the connector back on the desk, Tarymn asked. “What does he want?”
“He’s coming. He’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Tarymn swore under his breath. “What the hell? I thought you told him I’m not feeling well.”
“I did. But he wants you back.” Pitra’s tone was resigned. “He’s not going to take no for an answer.”
“Fuck, Maxus.”
Pitra tilted his head slightly, as if catching something only he could hear. “I think that’s him right now.”
The low, distinctive hum of a hover pod reached Tarymn’s ears a moment later, tightening his gut.
“I’ll go let him in,” Pitra said, already moving.
“Why?”
“He’s the Alpha King,” Pitra replied without hesitation. “No one says no to him.”
“Right,” Tarymn muttered, dragging a hand down his face. He watched Pitra disappear out of the office, and a few tense minutes later, he returned, flanked by Maxus himself.
Tarymn rose to his feet to greet the new Alpha King, a bitter feeling swirling in his chest. He never thought he’d see this day. But it was here, and the truth was that he was half responsible for it.
“You don’t look happy to see me,” Maxus said.
Shit.Tarymn tried to rearrange his expression into something neutral, but he failed. He gave up on pretending and chose honesty instead. “Everyone’s on edge lately.”
“Yeah,” Maxus said, crossing the room with the ease of someone who owned it. He sank into the couch, unbothered, as if the tension between them wasn’t there. “I’ll get to the point then. I need you back. I need someone on my side in the council of alphas.”
“The only side I’m on is Deltta’s. Since he’s gone, I…”
“Even better. My brother’s ally is my ally,” Maxus cut in smoothly. “I just need you there. Things are going to get worse before they get better, and I need someone I trust in my corner.”
“You trust me?”
Maxus gave a short nod. “My brother trusted you.”
“Look where that got him,” Tarymn said flatly.
“Now you know how dirty they play.” Maxus leaned forward, his voice urgent. “I need you, so we can figure this shit out together.” Rising, he strode to the door with an air of finality.
“I haven’t said yes.”
Maxus only shrugged, glancing back over his shoulder. “I know you’ll do the right thing. Deltta trusted no one, but he trusted you. That’s good enough for me.”
Fuck. Tarymn scrubbed a hand down his face as he stood. “Yeah, he put his trust in the wrong person. You shouldn’t make the same mistake. I’ll walk you out.”
