“I don’t like strangers, that’s all,” Ludiin snapped, his voice sharper than he intended, every nerve aware of Tarymn’s golden stare burning into him. “Luci, can you please come help me with those boxes?”
Before his brother could protest, he grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the cooking station, heart hammering.
“Why would you tell them that?” Ludiin hissed the second they were out of earshot, his chest tightening. “I don’t want them to think I’m… weird.”
“You’re not weird, Ludiin,” Luci said, looping an arm around his shoulders as they climbed the stairs. “You’re just too much in your own head. Opening up helps. You were so relaxed around Hym, didn’t you notice? People want to know you. Sharing things about yourself makes them want to be closer. I wasn’t trying to embarrass you.”
“But with Hym it’s different.”
“How?” Luci shot back, folding his arms. “He’s an alpha. And he was a stranger not that long ago.”
“I don’t know,” Ludiin said, frustration lacing his voice. He toyed with the hem of his sleeve, gaze dropping to the floor. “Maybe because Dad used to talk about him and Tarymn so much. It feels like… I already know him.”
“My point exactly,” Luci said firmly, leaning closer. “You know him. That’s why it’s easier. Do you see what I mean now?”
“Yes,” Ludiin nodded. His shoulders sagged as a sigh slipped out. “But… why does being around people feel so hard?”
“It’ll get better,” Luci said, giving him a gentle squeeze. “We’ll take it one step at a time. And this weekend, it’s the perfect chance to try. I’ll invite some of my friends. It’ll be fun.”
“Okay,” Ludiin mumbled, though dread coiled in his stomach.
“Are you going to school tomorrow?”
“Yes,” he said. “I’ve got a project to submit.” His mind already turning to his project. “I should go finish it in my new den,” he added, the last part tumbling out with a spark of excitement.
“Yeah, yeah… go to your den,” Luci said, shaking his head.
Ludiin giggled as he bounced down the hallway the tension from earlier ebbing away.
Chapter 4
Tarymn
“You don’t mind having a party, right?” Hym asked the moment the omegas walked out. Tarymn almost snorted.Why did he even bother asking?
Hym had already made up his mind, whether Tarymn agreed or not. Not that he would’ve said no. He’d promised Hym he’d try and that meant putting up with things for the sake of his wards.
“No. Go ahead,” he said evenly.
“You’ll be around?”
“I think so.”
“You should invite your friends. Deltta could use a break from work, and Sirhe too. I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“Why? You heard what Luci said. Strange alphas make Ludiin nervous. Wouldn’t having more of them here make him uncomfortable?”
“Yeah, maybe,” Hym admitted with a shrug. “But he should at least meet some decent alphas, get used to them. It’ll help.” Hym left the cooking station without waiting for a reply.
Tarymn shook his head, watching him go. He finished his food, rose, and went to his office to collect his connector and e-reader. He was halfway to his office when his steps slowed, his gaze drifting down the hallway toward the narrow stairs. Before he even realized it, his feet carried him there, up to the space he’d given Ludiin.
What had he called it again? A den?The word filled his mind as he climbed the stairs. But then he froze.
Ludiin was there, bent over the newly installed workbench, lips moving, voice low as though in conversation. Tarymn’s eyes swept the room. Empty. No one was there.
“Are you… talking to yourself?” Tarymn asked.
Ludiin’s head snapped toward him. His eyes went wide, like he’d just been caught doing something wrong. A blush crept over his cheeks, and he dropped his gaze almost instantly.