Page 45 of Claimed By Blood

“I’m going back out to hunt.” My words are clipped, and I hate myself a little more when he shrinks. “Make sure you relax in this for a bit and add some of those bubbles you like.”

Thank God for immortal healing.

He touches my arm, and I almost jump out of my skin.

“Stay. Please.”

The lump in my throat is so large I can barely breathe, let alone speak. It takes several swallows to clear it. “You got hurt.”

“I had good sex with a man I—”

I cut him off, unable to hear him say it. “You got used.Iused you, and I’m fucking sorry. I won’t… I won’t do it again. Now… get in the bath, please. I’ll make you something to eat while you soak.”

It’s not like snacks can fix this, but it’s the least I can do.

Finley sighs, but does as I ask. I turn to leave, so he aims his next words at my retreating back.

“You know, you’d have more control if you didn’t bottle everything up. How long was it since you and I fucked when we weren’t under the influence of the full moon? A year? Longer? It’s not healthy, Alpha.”

I close the door with a soft snick and pretend I don’t hear his sigh of disappointment as I cross the room, silently berating myself with every breath of the sex-permeated air.

I respect my omega’s instincts, but whatever Finley believes about me, he’s wrong. Control isn’t something I can miraculously conjure by letting myself drown in his body every night—if I even deserved to do so.

Ever since the omega joined our pack, and I realised what he meant to me—to all of us—I’ve felt the pressure to keep him safe. Add in the danger of our work, and it’s a miracle I haven’t snapped.

So no, sex won’t magically hand me back my control.

Cain’s death will. Which means I need to get back out there, and focus on finding Samuel.

And if I see Silas on the way, I’ll beg the beta to come back here and try to soothe what I’ve just broken.

I’m halfway through fixing a bowl with nachos when I scent him hovering in the kitchen doorway.

“Go back to the bath,” I mutter. “I’m almost done.”

“I hate to break it to you, but we have bigger problems than your self-loathing to deal with right now.”

His cutting sarcasm is cold and bitter. That tone is a defensive measure he developed in his shithole of a birth-pack, and one he shouldneverfeel he needs to use around me.

Fuck. IknewI hurt him.

Everything in me wants to hug him, to tug him close and reassure him with touch.

But when my touch is what did this, how is it supposed to make it right?

So I keep my distance. “What’s happened?”

“Samuel’s made contact with Evie.”

There’s a crash, and it takes me a second to realise that I’ve dropped the bowl.

I’m halfway towards the door when Finn says. “Vane’s already gone. Morwen too—though Mia’s heading back here to work on tech support with me.”

Meaning it’s just me, Mia, and Immy here with him. I’m not about to leave his safety to Mia when the vampire is here—even if Evelyn insists she’s harmless.

So my omega and my beta have effectively worked together to bench me. No doubt believing they’re doing it for my own good.

“Let’s get to work then,” I mutter, abandoning the pile of nachos and fractured pottery on the floor as I stalk behind him towards his office.

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