Page 46 of Pack’s Pledge

“I didn’t want her to see that,” I said, increasing the pace.

“I know,” he said. “And I’m sorry, it’s just—fuck. I thought she would understand. Of all people.”

She shouldn’t have to.She shouldn’thaveto understand. To make accommodations for me and my problem. That was the point. To protect her.

“Just because she works at Ardor doesn’t mean she should have to deal with that bullshit at home—”

“God, Conall, I know,” he snapped. “I’m sorry. But designationisn’t everything, it’s not who youare, and I thought—”

“Well,you thought fucking wrong,” I snarled, and I let the belt carry me off the end of the treadmill, turning to face Beau, cornering him. “You thought wrong.You think I wouldn’t go back and change things? I’d give anything to—”

Beau’s eyes widened, his full lips parting, and I cut myself off abruptly. Then he straightened. Sweat clung to his skin, evidence of his efforts, and his face, pale and thin after so many days at Ardor, was shining. “I understand,” he said, cold and toneless. “I’ll go,” he said, and when I didn’t say anything, he turned, picking up his phone, water bottle, and towel.

A chill ran over my own damp skin. What had I said?

He was halfway to the door when he turned, his chin lifted up and him lips a tight line.

“Wishing me away won’t make her an omega,alpha.” he said.

The title hit me like a slap.

“I know,” I growled, as the soundproof door swung shut. “I know!” I bellowed, after it closed.

To make Britt an omega was never what I wanted.

Shewas perfect.

It was me who was wrong.

I looked around me, at the potential trapped in all the weight racks and machines, and felt the same choking shame rise up from my stomach to my throat.

Run.

But no matter how far I ran, I could never outpacehim. The alpha.

He wasme.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-FIVE

Beau

“Hey, baby,”Adrian said, as I emerged from my room after my shower. “How are you feeling?”

I was clean and dry and dressed but I still felt sour and rotten, like a peach left too long in the fruit bowl.

“Like shit.”

He smirked. “Yeah, well—”

“Whatever you’re about to say,” I snapped, “don’t fucking do it.” I cringed. Adrian didn’t deserve this. It wasn’tAdrian’sfault I was an omega any more than it was mine.

“Got it,” he said, standing back on his heels. “Okay. Do you know where Conall is?”

My throat went tight.

“He left.”

He’d stormed from the gym just after I’d left, my muscles aching and tired even after my abbreviated routine.Too little time at the bench and too much time on my back.It wasn’t my sore arms, though—or even my sore ass—that had me feeling miserable and ill-used.

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