What’s the difference if it’s Judge or another alpha? If anything, it might feel good to escape and removehismark.
He looks at me like he’s concerned. “That’s unlike you.”
I laugh. “You don’t know me at all.”
Something in him shifts. His expression softens, barely. The constant hum of dominance he carries seems to fade, and I realize he’s… thinking.
“Fine,” he says. “Then let’stalk.” He squats down in front of me, grabbing my chin as he moves my head side to side, examining me like he might find a head wound somewhere. “What are you trying to get at?” he asks.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Your entire demeanor has changed. What’s wrong?”
I move my head to pry myself from his grip, and he lets go. But the way his brows are furrowed, and how he rests his elbows on his knees like he’s willing to not move until he believes me… well, it’s confusing. I did not expect this reaction to telling him to bite me. I lower my gaze, eyeing a silver skull ring on his finger. “What do you want me to say? I want out of this room. I want to stop being a hidden omega. I know you said there’s a danger, but surely I don’t have to be kept in anattic.”
“You fled into the mountains at thethoughtof being taken, and now you just said to bite your neck. That’s quite the leap, even for desperation.” He drops his gaze to look over me more, like maybe he missed something. “You’rethe one who jumped three steps ahead.”
“So you’re definitely planning on it then?”
“Obviously.”
My spine gives a little shake at the confidence. “I’m tired of this stupid omega life, Judge,” I say, feeling good to get that out, his gaze flashing back up to stare at me through furrowed brows, hardly blinking at all. “I’m tired of being hidden, afraid, of being used and watched over. I’m tired of—” I nearly say I’m tired of yearning for home, even if it’s for a new one.
“Ofwhat?”
He’s never looked at me so intensely before, like he’s hearing everything I’m saying. “No.”
He tilts his head slightly. “You’re not in a position to say no.”
“Such a big man needing to make fun of anomega,” I say, wanting his fight back. Or maybe a growl again. Anything to make me feel like he’s the colder alpha who doesn’t actuallycare.
I didn’t make plans for if that ever happened.
“I’m not making fun of you, darling. I’ve told you so many times why you’re here. It’ssafein here. Now, why are you so eager for something you were vehemently against less than a day ago?”
“Does it matter? It’s not like I’m getting out of here on my own. I just want out!” I can’t believe I’m actually having to nearly beg him to bite my neck. But it’s clear there’s no way I’m escaping this place anytime soon, and with how cold the windows have been lately, I don’t want to escape and run into a snowstorm.
“I can’t risk a dark bond.”
My stomach flutters like the idiot it is. “You care about that?”
“We don’t allow them in Dominion.”
“You don’t?”
“We need strong mating bonds, or else the alphas don’t have anything to fight for and protect. Dark bonds are a recipe for disaster, and one of the few things I’m morally against.”
I cross my arms. “So, it’s for control.”
He stands with a huff. “You try running a population without some method of control and tell me how it goes.”
I laugh a little at how sassy he said that, and then hate myself because I actually found him funny.Focus, Diana!Okay, bonds. Something about bonds… the dark bond!So he doesn’t want to risk that image for some reason?
“I also have no interest in a mate that’s dark bonded to me, happy?” he says gently, moving to the fire to place wood inside. “What do you want with this freedom you’re so hellbent on getting?”
Should I make something up? Or be strategic? Yes, I should make up something strategic. “I mean, a lot of things,” I say, trying to buy myself time to think of the perfect reply.
“That’s so specific.”
