Mr. Jameson nods once. "Lead the way. I'd like to be on our way before dinner."
Or maybe not.
Chapter seven
Dustin
I can see that Solana is slowly withering inside. She's pressed against the wall in the hallway outside the office where Kade is signing papers, her arms wrapped around her chest, her expression a mixture of nothing and everything at the same time. Her scent has gone completely sour as she stands there in bare feet, not quite dressed except for that similar plain dress from yesterday, this one a hideous orange that makes her look washed out and tired.
She's trying not to cry. I can see it in the way her jaw tightens, the way she blinks rapidly and stares at a spot on the floor. Every muscle in my body screams to go over there and hold her, to tell her that Kade didn't mean any of those cold, harsh things he said when he claimed her. That we're not like the other Alphas who come through here looking for property instead of a person.
But every time I look a little too long, I remember Kade’s warning and Stefan’s reminders when he helped me muck out the stalls.
Don't seem too eager. Don't give them any reason to think this is anything other than a business transaction.So I stay where I am, standing stiffly beside the doorway while Alpha Graves watches Solana with obvious satisfaction.
I won't last much longer, though, fighting my base protective instincts. The bond with Kade thrums with tension, feeding off my distress and amplifying it back to him. I can feel his irritation growing, his own control fraying at the edges. He’s just as bothered as I am but fuck, he hides it so much better.
I look over at Kade, where he’s sitting at the desk, reading through page after page of legal documents. His expression is perfectly blank, bored even, as if this is just another mundane task he has to complete. But I know him well enough to see the tightness around his eyes, the way his jaw clenches every time Alpha Graves makes another comment about proper Omega training.
Kade sets down his pen and lets out a small growl, the sound rumbling through the small office. "May I ask if my mate can take the Omega outside to let her know the rules of the house? I don't want to have to waste my time doing it later."
The Alpha from Harmony House almost seems pleased with that aspect, as if we're exactly the right kind of Alphas to be taking an omega off her hands. "Of course, Mr. Jameson. Feel free to be harsh with her. They get unruly when they don't follow the rules, as you've already witnessed."
The big Alpha who decked me yesterday stands near the door, his arms crossed over his chest. I can see that he doesn't really recognize me now that I'm all dressed up in a suit with my hair combed back. He seems suspicious, but that's it. His eyes keep moving between Solana and me, searching for something he can't quite identify.
Alpha Graves shuffles more papers across the desk. "Please, there aren't too many other things to review, and we do aim to please. We want to ensure all our Omegas go to good homes."
Good homes, my ass.I walk over to Solana before I can second-guess myself. She cringes when I get close, shrinking back against the wall, the movement making my chest ache. I gesture toward the exit, not trusting my voice to stay steady. We just need to get out of here. Once we’re past those doors, I can hold her,trulyhold her
She moves forward hesitantly, the both of us walking down the hallway in silence, the distance between us feeling wrong. She should be tucked against my side. I should have my arm around her shoulders. But I keep my hands to myself and my expression neutral as Solana slips on a pair of shoes by the door and we step outside into the late afternoon.
The truck is parked at the far end of the curb, sleek and black and entirely out of place in front of this institutional building. Solana walks down the steps slowly, her movements careful as if she expects to be called back at any moment. The silence continues as I unlock the car, Solana hesitating before pulling open the back passenger door and climbing in.
My whole body vibrates with the need to make this right as I move into the backseat and look at her. My whole heart is breaking apart right there in my chest. She's so close, but she might as well be miles away with the way she's pressed against the opposite door, staring at me with wide, uncertain eyes.
"Solana, look at me." My voice comes out rough.Fuck."I didn't think we'd get you out of there. I was terrified they'd find some reason to say no."
She frowns, her gaze darting toward the entrance of Harmony House and then back to me. "But the other Alpha, he was so cold. He acted like I was nothing."
"They needed to believe it." I shift closer, giving her space to move away if she wants. "My stepbrother, he said, they wouldn't believe it if we were too eager. That we, Kade and I, had to play the part of Alphas looking for a trained Omega. I begged Kade to come today. I couldn't leave you in there any longer."
"But he said those things." Her voice comes out small and wounded. "About rules and discipline and making sure I knew my place."
"He wants you too, but we couldn't show it." I reach out slowly, watching her face to ensure she’s not uncomfortable with me. "Can I hold you? I hated making you cry, but we had to make it believable. I hated every second of watching you stand there thinking we were just like everyone else."
Solana's expression crumples, her arms wrapped around her chest loosening slightly, hope blooming in her eyes. "This isn't just some game? You actually want me?"
"I knew you were mine the moment I met you outside that bathroom." The words pour out of me, desperation overshadowing the honesty as I continue reaching for her before dropping my hands to my lap. "And then Kade tasted you when he kissed me after, and he felt it too. We both knew."
Her face scrunches up in confusion. "Your Alpha kissed you? Your mate? You're with an Alpha—that... him?"
I nod, slowly reaching for her hand again. "Happily. But come here, Solana. I need to hold you. Please?"
She comes slowly, letting me guide her across the seat and into my lap. The moment she settles against me, something in my chest clicks into place. Whole. I feel whole again. I tighten my arms around her and then kiss her, pouring everything I couldn't say in that hallway into the contact. She melts into it immediately, her fingers digging into my shirt as I slowly taste her mouth. I hold her against me, savoring the way she fits perfectly in my arms.
I can taste her tears, salt mixing with the sweetness of her scent. God, I'm never letting her go again. The driver door opens and Solana lets out a little scream before burying her head in my chest, her whole body going tense.
"It's just Kade, okay?" I murmur into her hair, rubbing soothing circles on her back. "You're safe."
