“Grasson is watching,” Hayce said, and then the water hitting Ehlian’s back stopped as Hayce took a step closer. “Let me.”
Ehlian hesitated before lowering his hand, and let Hayce took over, working the shampoo through his hair. His fingertips traced small, soft circles at Ehlian’s temples before moving slowly across his scalp, kneading the lather in with unhurried care.
Ehlian caught himself leaning into it, his body uncoiling under Hayce’s touch, eyes fluttering shut. He didn’t want to enjoy it, didn’t want to sink into the sensation, but the simple act of being cared for was disarming.
It had been so long since anyone had taken care of him. The touch brought an unexpected wave of comfort.It’s all fake,he reminded himself. Hayce wasn’t doing this because he cared. It was just another act. They were playing their roles in this messed-up deal.
“What happened with your previous omega?” Ehlian asked, his voice a little quieter.
Hayce paused. “He served his time and left.”
“How long did you have him?”
Hayce’s hands started moving again through Ehlian’s hair. “For half a year.”
Ehlian knew the next question was pointless, but he still asked it. “Do you miss him?”
“No,” Hayce said, tone flat. “Why would I miss him? He kept me company in exchange for protection. Nothing more to it.”
Ehlian let out a short, cynical laugh. “Just like me.”
“You know our deal,” Hayce said, a faint warning in his voice. He turned Ehlian’s head slightly until the couple in thecorner came back into view. “Not what they have. I don’t need a mate.”
It was ironic, Ehlian thought. Hayce had defended the couple earlier, yet now he spoke of them exactly as Ehlian did. As fools. “Good. I can’t wait to get rid of you.”
“Say that a bit louder, and someone might take you up on it.”
Ehlian pressed his lips together. Threatening him with Grasson was a shit move.
Grasson’s doubt made Ehlian’s skin crawl, as if he were picking apart every detail of the situation, trying to figure out where the truth ended in his relationship with Hayce and where the lie began. His sharp, invasive stare lingered on Ehlian. Would that insufferable asshole ever give up?
Ehlian flipped him off, which only seemed to intensify the greed in Grasson’s eyes.
What the fuck.
Unable to hold back, he locked eyes with Grasson and mouthed,You’re a fucking maniac.
“Are you doing that on purpose?” Hayce drawled, his hand sliding to the nape of Ehlian’s neck. “You’re giving him exactly what he wants.”
Ehlian huffed. “Insults?”
“Your attention.” Hayce’s thumb traced maddening strokes along the sensitive skin of his neck, then stopped abruptly, leaving a hollow ache. “My protection doesn’t extend to stupidity, so don’t test it.”
Every omega stayed close to their alphas, carefully avoiding Grasson’s presence, wary of feeding the hunger in his eyes.
Ehlian mumbled a soft protest under his breath, something about Hayce not being the boss of him, but he obeyed and tore his eyes away from Grasson, resisting every glance in his direction.
“That’s it,”Hayce rewarded him with a low murmur. “You’re doing well.”
Ehlian’s voice hitched. The warmth of the praise rippled through the pack bond like molten gold, saturating his senses and leaving him breathless. It wasn’t fair how deeply those simple words burrowed into him, lighting him up from the inside. His nails dug into his palm as he fought to feign indifference.
He hated how much it affected him.
Ehlian had never been part of a pack before, never known the weight or the pull of a pack bond. Most families opposed it. The leader could easily manipulate members and force their will on them. All he had was the old telepathic family link he’d once shared with his late parents. His father had stubbornly refused to form a pack, and Ehlian had no other experience to compare the connection to. Hayce’s approval was unlike anything he’d felt before, nothing like the sweet words his ex-boyfriends used to whisper. No, this carried the raw, unmistakable force of an alpha’s genuine pride.
“Turn around,” Hayce said.
Ehlian obeyed without hesitation, his vision now consumed by the defined, tight muscles of Hayce’s chest. They weren’t touching, but the heat radiating from the long line of Hayce’s body seemed burn Ehlian’s skin. Whitish soap bubbles clung to Hayce’s shoulders, and Ehlian fought the sudden urge to reach out, gliding his fingers through the bubbles and smearing them down Hayce’s toned stomach.
