Page 19 of Sweet Omega
“Last night was scary, wasn’t it?” Tarymn said softly, his voice vibrating against Ludiin’s temple. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I was a rough with you. I lost control. That wasn’t fair to you.”
What?
He’d thought everything was amazing. He’d loved every second of it. The way he’d held him down as he pounded into… Ludiin squeezed his eyes shut, drawing in a slow breath as he silently counted to five, trying to steady the flutter in his chest.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Ludiin forced out. “I should be the one saying sorry. I promise it won’t happen again.” The words he didn’t say burned his tongue—I won’t be a burden.
Tarymn pulled away then, the absence of his arms sudden and cold. He looked at Ludiin for a moment, his gaze unreadable, then shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “Let’s forget it ever happened then.”
“Yes,” Ludiin replied, the word bursting out of him.
Smooth,he winced inwardly.
Silence stretched between them, thick and awkward.
Now what?he wondered, glancing at Tarymn, unsure if he should speak or just bolt for the door.
That would be more awkward.
“Thank you again,” Ludiin said, then stepped out of the office, fighting the urge to bolt. His heart still thudded from their conversation. Back in the den, he sat quietly against one wall and watched the betas work, their quiet presence a balm to his frayed nerves.
Luci arrived a few minutes later, balancing a tray of food. He set it down in the center of the den with a flourish.
“I brought some refreshments,” he announced.
“Thank you,” Ludiin said, pulling his brother into a quick hug. “You can be surprisingly sweet, you know that?” He smiled as Luci rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away.
They found a spot on the floor and ate in comfortable silence, surrounded by the quiet chatter and the distant hum of traffic.
“So, what gives?” Luci asked after a while.
Ludiin blinked. “What?”
“Tarymn,” Luci said with a mouthful of vegetables. “Why is he suddenly being…nice? I saw him downstairs, and he actually greeted me. Like, with words and eye contact.”
Ludiin squirmed, heat rising up his neck.
“I don’t know,” he muttered.
Luci gave him a look but didn’t press. Instead, he sighed. “If Dad hadn’t made him our guardian, we could’ve just lived on our own.”
“On what? We’re still in school, remember?”
“Dad left us something. Not a fortune, but it’s something…”
“A lot of places don't allow omegas to live alone. Besides, dad wanted us here,” Ludiin said, already getting to his feet and gathering the empty plates. “And I want to stay.”
He walked them down to the cooking station. Luci followed, not letting it go.
“Dad didn’t know we’d be this unwanted,” he said. “This place doesn’t feel like home.”
“You’re never here,” Ludiin said, turning back to his brother. “How would you even know what it feels like?” Ludiin didn’t know why he was advocating to stay. He missed his old home too, but… only because his dad was there. Now, that he was gone… he couldn’t imagine living with just Luci. Luci had his own life, and he preferred to go out on his dates with his alphas, Ludiin couldn’t ask him to stay home with him. At least here Hym was around…sometimes.
He reached for Luci’s hands and held them gently. “Let’s just try, okay? Dad must’ve had his reasons.”
Luci rolled his eyes, but his voice softened. “He felt sorry for us, Ludiin. We’re alone in the world now.”
“I know,” Ludiin murmured, the words catching in his throat as tears burned hot at the corners of his eyes. He reached for Luci, pulling him into his arms. “I miss him.”
