“Are you afraid of the dark?” he asked, no malice in his tone.
“No. It’s just… It’s unnerving. Maybe that’s your intention, to make your guests on edge before they arrive?”
His heavy footsteps stopped as he turned to face me. Rough hands slid along my face, burrowing into the hair at my nape. His thumb rubbed a spot at the base of my skull, making my body go lax.
“Technically, yes. Only a handful of people can open the door that leads to this hall. Anyone wishing to access this location needs to be screened before they’re even allowed entry. I did want to remind them of their place when coming here.”
“And is that what you’re doing? Reminding me of my place, Alpha?”
I hissed his designation, instantly knowing I had made a mistake. The first alpha I put my trust in, and of course it was the head of the Irish mafia. My heart thumped at the catastrophic choice I made. I was trapped.
No one walked away from this decision.
“Never,” he said, his eyes blazing with fury as an auburn strand of hair fell over his brow. “When will you understand, Willow? I would drop to my knees and worship you at your feet. I do not wish to control you. I want to cherish you, revere you. You are the only person in this world that holds any power over me.”
Emotion choked me as I tried to speak but failed. I didn’t know what to say. My omega wailed a pathetic sound, angry at me for ruining everything… again. I was incapable of letting the icy tendrils of fear around my heart melt completely. I was destined to be alone, moving from one unfulfilling relationship to the next.
Large hands bracketed my hips, holding me steady.
“Mo chroí, I promise, once we get inside, you will feel better. But if you would prefer, we can go home and I will make you dinner and we can watch a movie. I only want you to feel safe in my arms.” His voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “And I promise that I will gut whoever made you feel like this.”
My blood should have run cold at his words, but instead they emboldened me, steeling my heart and mind, protecting me from myself.
For too long, I had let my fears control me, and I was tired. Even though I wouldn’t admit out loud, I had been looking forward to this ever since Kaelen mentioned taking me out. He spoiled me withpretty dresses and jewels. He wanted to show me off, and I wanted to let him.
“I want to spend our evening out. I’m sorry if I ruined it.”
The only other times I got to get dressed up and shown off were when my father dragged me to some dinner or charity event, and those were the furthest thing from fun. I expected spending time with Kaelen at a casino to be far more enjoyable.
“Never apologize, Willow. You could never ruin anything, my pretty omega. You make everything better.”
He kissed a spot behind my ear, his breath tickling my face. Something primal flashed in his jade eyes, making my insides melt.
At the end of the narrow hall, we arrived in front of a plain door with a towering alpha guarding it. Day-old scruff covered his scarred face, with a gun holstered under his jacket.
“Boss. Miss Sterling,” he grunted, dipping his chin as his eyes lit up. “Enjoy your evening.”
Kaelen leveled an icy stare at the man.
All the color drained from his face. He stepped aside, murmuring an apology before giving us access to an elevator. I saw the briefest flash of fear in his hazel eyes.
A possessive hand pressed to the small of my back, ushering me inside. There was only one option. I pushed the button, pleased at the warmth returning to Kaelen’s features. A tenderness only I ever got to see.
“What did he do?” I asked as the elevator descended lower than I thought possible.
“He thought he could have what’smine.No one. Especially one of my men, can be allowed to entertain that thought.”
I wanted to scold him for talking about me like some sort of toy he refused to share, but my omega hissed at me, loving the attention. I bit my lip, realizing I liked it more than I cared to admit. Besides, that alpha wasn’t interested in me. He was being nice.
Sam always told me that alphas were more needy than omegas. They constantly needed reassurance. Usually, I snorted at her, mumbling something about that being ridiculous.
She may not have been too far off.
“I don’t want anyone else,” I said, dragging my nails through histhick beard, grinning at the way his eyes darkened. “I only want you, Alpha.”
He leaned into my touch, breathing deeply into my palm as he held it in place. I dragged the tip of my nose along his jaw, ensuring he smelled of me. A possessive growl rumbled against my skin.
Lips brushed along the skin as he peppered fleeting kisses along my lifeline.
