“Understood, sir.”
I left the alpha market behind me and headed home for a nice, hot bath to cleanse myself of the lower quarter filth. Despite that, my trip was well worth it. I’d done some sightseeing and learned quite a bit about my own kingdom.
But the most curious part of all was that I couldn’t get Rourke off my mind. It had been a long time since I had so much fun.
With a slow smile, I wondered what it would feel to have his leash in my hand.
6
Rourke
Fire raged inside me. By the time I’d returned to my room, I was still shaking with anger.
But my first concern was elsewhere. I found Shep’s room and, finding the door unlocked, barged in. He was lounging on his bed in sweats and a tank, with the haggard look of someone’s who’s just run a bad marathon. His hand was lazily draped in the tin of cookies Amos had given me.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He gave me a lazy smile. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
I ran a hand through my hair and blew out a breath. “Fuck. I was scared, Shep.”
“Me too. Didn’t know the prince was such a prick.” He laughed. “Especially about hair color, for fuck’s sake.”
I gave him a quick hug, happy to see him in one piece. I felt the slight dampness of cold sweat on his skin. He must have been terrified earlier. It only made me want to punch that omega in the face even more.
“I don’t care if he was the prince, if he touched you I would’ve—”
“Oh, lay off, Rourke.” Shep grinned. “I appreciate it, but we both know you couldn’t do shit. He’d have your head lopped off in two seconds.”
I grunted. “Yeah, but I’d still get one good hit in.”
Shep raised a brow. “And then what, tough guy? Get yourself killed? Who’s gonna look after mini Rourke if that happens?”
I glared at him, then sighed. There was no winning arguments when he brought up Amos.
“Whatever. Just let me live my fantasy.”
Shep grinned. “All right. Nothing wrong with that.”
When I went quiet, Shep examined what must have been the grave look on my face. “Something bothering you?” he asked.
I grimaced. The more I thought about what had happened in the yard earlier, the most uncomfortable it made me.
“He told them to set aside my contract,” I muttered.
Shep shot up. “What?”
I met his eyes, steeling myself, and got the rest of the words out. “He told them not to let anyone else buy it.”
There was a beat of silence before Shep began pacing across the room. “Wait, wait. Rourke, you don’t actually think he’s going to buy you out, do you?”
“I don’t know.” My fingers curled into fists. “But if he tries, he’s got another thing coming.”
“Oh, knock it off, will you?” Shep complained. “That’s not funny anymore.”
“Knock what off? I’m serious, Shep, I’m not letting some omega own me. I don’t care if it’s the fucking Prince of Lacehaven.”
Shep gave me a long, drawn-out look, a mix of anger and helplessness on his face. “He’s not just the prince. He’s the future king, as soon as his old man kicks the bucket or retires.” He sat down so we were at eye level again. “Listen, I know you were from the outskirts, so maybe it’s not a big deal to you, but it’s a big dealhere.Didn’t you see how all the betas were practically throwing themselves on the floor for him?”
