“What do you really want, old man?” I asked the empty room.
In the past, Tanekan, my dragon, might deign to answer. But though I shifted weekly to give him exercise, he hadn’t spoken in eleven years since our bondmate had died.
I’d gone out of my way to purchase Kirion. So unlike me. It was something I’d never thought of doing before. Not until I started seeing ads and homed in on one wolf pack’s website. The idea that a set might solve some of my family problems took hold quickly. I read all the sales hype on the site. I clicked on the highest priced sets in the region, the ones not going to public auctions but being sold privately.
Now that I looked back on it all, I realized I had acted on impulse alone. My only thought was that Malin would have a beautiful mate, be happy again, heal our rift, and that would be that. I could stop worrying about him.
When I saw Malin’s reaction to Kirion, I knew I’d done something ridiculously stupid. This act of mine hadn’t been for Malin, but my own peace of mind. What a fucked-up plan.
After Malin left, I was very aware I was alone with the omega now, except for servants, and that I was the one who technically owned him.
That sent a chill through my body.
I always swore to myself that no matter how wealthy I got, I wouldn’t allow myself to believe I could cross any ethical line and my money would take care of the consequences. I would never be one of those guys who used others. Who treated people as pawns. Or objects. I hadn’t cheated my way to my wealth.
But here I sat, new owner of another person. A person!
“Another martini, sir?” Elias kept his tone flat.
“Yes, thank you.”
New ideas began to tumble through my mind. I needed to right this wrong. Malin didn’t want Kirion. Hell, he didn’t deserve him.
I drank the new martini down in seconds. It helped something deep inside me loosen. Was it guilt? Shame? I didn’t know.
I’d signed a contract and now I was stuck. Kirion was my responsibility. How had I not foreseen this outcome?
Elias returned. “The guest has not found the tray I left by his door.”
“He didn’t eat?” My words slurred.
“It seems not, sir. But there are snacks in the room’s bar. Would you like me to knock on his door and check on him?”
“No. He’s probably tired. Sleeping. Don’t disturb him.”
“Of course not, sir.”
But with those words came a horrible thought. Did Kirion know he could come out? I’d told him he had the run of the house, but did he understand that it meant for anything he might need, including meals? Did he realize Malin had not and would probably never claim him?
I was in no condition to go up and see him. It would all have to wait until morning.
The hot shower revived me.I didn’t normally drink so much.
I had awakened late and groggily delegated everything for the day to my offices in the city. No one was to bother me.
My hair still damp, I made my way to the third floor. There was no sound save the low hum of the cleaners polishing the floors on the second level.
When I raised my hand to knock on Kirion’s door, I froze. I had made no plans. I had no idea what I was going to say. I’d created all my businesses by listening to my gut when things weren’t making sense. I needed to do the same here. I’d brought the omega into my home. He was now my responsibility.
I lifted my head, took a long breath through my teeth and knocked.
No sound.
I counted to ten and knocked again. Nothing.
As I opened my mouth to call out his name the door finally jerked open.
Kirion stood barefoot before me. His gilded vest was gone, but he still wore the white shirt from the day before, untucked over black leather trousers.
