Page 67 of Sweet Omega
Maxus’ lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. The alpha turned and made for the door. Tarymn trailed behind him.
“You’re really not coming back,” Maxus said, stopping beside his hover pod. The operator hopped down and swung the door open for him.
“No.”
Maxus gave a short nod before climbing inside. Tarymn stood still, watching the pod drift down the residential airway to merge with traffic, his chest tightening with guilt and the simmering rage he fought hard to hold back.
Damn it, Maxus. Why did you have to come?Tarymn thought, rubbing a hand over his face as he stepped back inside the house. He froze, his gaze falling on Ludiin walking down the stairs, a light bounce in his step, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips as if he knew something the rest of the world didn’t. The matching loungewear hung loose on his lean frame, the fabric swaying gently with his movement, while his hair wasgathered in a loose bun with one of those colorful hair bands Hym had given him, the strands framing his face in effortless disarray.
He looked soft. Innocent. Fuckable.
Tarymn’s heart thudded in his chest. His hands curled into fists at his sides as need surged through him.
“Tary,” Ludiin said, pausing at the landing. His smile faltered as if he sensed the tension between them. The magnetic pull. “I… I was going to make a snack… to eat,” he said unnecessarily.
“Okay,” Tarymn replied stiffly, every cell in his body screaming to close the distance between them. But he stood rooted, waiting until Ludiin turned and disappeared into the cooking station. Only then did he let himself exhale.
Fuck,he silently groaned, shoving a hand through his hair until it stood on end. Frustration tangled with desire, sharp and unbearable, and he could feel his control cracking. One more push and he’d snap.
He couldn't fucking have that.
He turned on his heel and stormed into the gym, where he spent the entire day driving his fists into the heavy bag, until his knuckles throbbed and his muscles screamed.
He dropped down on the mat, dragging air into his lungs. The gym door whooshed open a few minutes later, and heavy footsteps broke the silence. Tarymn sniffed the air before turning toward the intruder.
“Sirhe, what are you doing here?” he asked, his voice rough from exertion.“Pitra told me you were fucking losing your mind. Is it true?”
“That little…” Tarymn growled, his top lip curling.
“Don’t be mad at him. He’s just worried,” Sirhe said, stepping closer. His eyes scanning him in that detached, clinical way that made him feel like one of his patients.
“Stop hovering. I’m fine.” Tarymn waved him away as he sat up.
“Okay.” Sirhe shoved his hands into his pockets, his gaze drifting around the gym as though he had all the time in the world.
“How is Deltta?” Tarymn asked, throat tight.
Sirhe turned, his gaze boring into him. “Go check on him yourself.”
Tarymn pushed himself up from the mat and stalked to the door, but Sirhe’s words stopped him in his tracks.
“You’ve always been excellent at running from your feelings,” Sirhe said quietly. "The moment something threatens that iron control you cling to, you run. But tell me, Tarymn… how long can you keep living like that?”
Tarymn whirled around to face him. “I’m not running,” he snapped. “I’ve never run from anything in my life.”
“From where I’m standing, you’re running,” Sirhe shot back. “Deltta needs you. And you’re down here punching out your feelings when you should be trying to fix this.”
“Fuck, Sirhe.” Tarymn growled. “Maxus connected with you, didn’t he?”
“He did. And he’s right. Go back. Fix it.”
“If I go back I’ll kill those bastards,” Tarymn admitted roughly.
“Is that why you won’t go?” Sirhe asked, voice softening.
Tarymn could only nod. “I don’t think I can be in the same room with them. I’d lose it. Hearing what Gyry and his cronies did nearly made me kill him. After what they did to Deltta, what do you think I’m going to do? I’ll fucking go murderous the second I see them.”
Sirhe came up close and laid a steadying hand on his shoulder. “You won’t. You’re stronger than that.”
