Page 198 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
It’s hard to accept that all those years were for nothing.
It’s even harder to acknowledge that I’ve always loved him more than he loved me. We both know it, but he’s used that to his advantage for the last time.
“I already apologized,” he says, framing my back. “Exactly how long are you going to hold it against me?”
My entire body goes rigid.
That’s the thing.
Hedidn’tapologize.
He never does.
He’ll talk in circles and belittle my feelings until I just give up because he’s an alpha and I’m an omega. His designation is always going to be more strong-willed than mine.
I hate confrontation and arguing, which he knows. He’ll steamroll right over me if I let him.
“I’m done. I don’t know how else to explain it.” I pull my hand free. “You spent ten years promising me a future you never intended to deliver. I can’t listen to you lie to me anymore.”
I take a few steps inside and grab the actual door. I won’t be able to shut it all the way until Ben gets out of the way, but I still prepare to slam it in his face if I have to.
I can’t let myself fall into his trap again.
“I need you to really think about what you’re doing here.” Ben stretches out a tanned hand, running his fingers over my cheek. “I’ve been in love with you since I was a teenager.”
“Is that right?” I stagger back. “That’s why you flirted with another omega right in front of me? Don’t even get me started on what you said to your brother. Get the hell out.” I pull the door as far as I can without slamming it into him. “Back up, Ben. I’m not messing around.”
My voice sounds hysterical even to my own ears. I need him to get the hell out of the way.
Somehow I always manage to forget how toxic we are when I’m lonely and missing him.
“Mel, everyone knows we’re going to end up together. Youknowhow it goes. No alpha will look twice at you because they understandyou’re mine.” He sighs like I’m being purposely difficult.
“That’s true enough,” I agree.
He’s right. He’s spent many years ensuring no other man will give me the time of day.
Unfortunately for me, the women in our small town do not give me the same courtesy.
An embarrassing sob escapes at the thought.
I’ve let him get away with so much garbage over the years that I can’t stand to think about it. It makes me resentmyselffor letting him treat me this way.
“That’s why I signed up for The Exchange. I wanted to be gone by the time you made it back to town, but I had to wait for a location to accept me. Not to mention you’ve been back for weeks and you didn’t even call, never bothered to show up.”
That just made it seem like I spent the last few weeks wishing he would, which I didn’t. It makes it easier to hate him when I don’t have to look at his face.
It’s harder when he’s close because my system craves his pheromones, but I won’t let myself give in again.
“I thought you’d reach out to apologize for the way you talked to me,” he says. “Mel, you’re over exaggerating everything. You know I love you.”
“Please move, or I will have to slam the door on you, and I don’t want to have to do that. If you’ve heard nothing else I’ve said over the years, hear me when I say this.I am done. I need you to leave.”
Ben’s jaw falls and he takes a step back. I carefully make sure the door doesn’t touch him as I close and lock it.
I bolt for my bed, but it isn’t far enough away to muffle his banging. He yells something like if I go to The Exchange then we’re done.
I roll my eyes.
