Hayce’s gaze dropped back to his book as he asked, almost casually, “Who’s Willian?”
“A friend,” Ehlian replied, surprised Hayce didn’t already know. Hayce had known nearly everything about him before Ehlian was transferred to prison. “I asked him not to visit. And those are my favourite cakes, don’t call them cheap. Willian’s just trying to make my time here a little more bearable, I guess.”
Cakes from Geald? As if. Geald had probably already moved on to his next omega.
When Hayce returned to reading his book, deeming the conversation over, silence settled around them once more.
Ehlian curled up on the bed, staring at the picture of the ocean. He could scarcely remember what it was like to live a normal life, what his days had once looked and felt like. Prison blurred those memories.
He let his mind wander, imagining the salty breeze against his face. The sudden homesickness washing over him was cruelly intense. He missed everything back home. He was sick of eating the same bland food, of the stifling stench of criminals in the lounge, of the odd tug of artificial gravity. He longed for summer, for the scent of rain, for the sunshine on his face. He missed the fresh, crisp chill of winter air, the way it stung his lungs and made him feel alive. Or the incredibly tall Orgon trees and the sweet scent when their huge, pink petals were in bloom.
But there was another feeling too, a tight knot of anxiety twisting in his chest. Nothing would be the same once he was released. He was a criminal now. The stigma would stick, nomatter where he went. People would look at him differently—quiet judgment in their eyes, subtle grimaces, the unease of being near him. He didn’t realise how quick his breathing had become or how tightly he was clutching Willian’s letter until gentle fingers combed through his hair, a sudden, soft calmness soothing his fraying nerves through the pack bond.
Ehlian let out a soft breath, setting down Willian’s letter. “I don’t know what I’ll do once I’m out.”
“You could start by getting your inheritance back from your uncle,” Hayce said, his tone a touch softer than usual.
“I can’t,” Ehlian murmured, his breathing gradually evening out. “I signed it all away.”
“Why would you even sign a contract like that?”
Ehlian cleared his throat. “I never read it.”
Hayce’s hand stilled in his hair. “Ehlian—”
“I know.” Ehlian gave a short, frustrated grunt. “I know I fucked up, all right? It wasn’t long after my parents died, and my uncle caught me at my most vulnerable. I had no reason to doubt him. I thought he cared. I thought he wanted to help. He’d just started a new business, promised me all the money in the world and a bright future… and well, here I am.” Ehlian gave a dry scoff. “Some bright future, huh?”
Despite fighting hard for it, the court had never allowed him to prove he’d been deceived using his uncle’s own memories. And, of course, that spineless bastard would never have handed them over willingly.
Hayce’s hand moved lower, his fingertips brushing against the soft skin of Ehlian’s neck. “For now, you should focus on your friend’s words instead.”
Ehlian picked out the word‘survived’from Willian’s letter.
“Not everyone leaves this place alive.” Hayce added, his hand moving lower, blunt nails grazing across Ehlian’s bond point.
Ehlian trembled. “You are doing that on purpose.”
The faintest smirk tugged at Hayce’s lips. “Maybe.”
Ehlian didn’t even understand why he let Hayce touch his bond point so often. Most omegas guarded it fiercely, treating it like a sacred, priceless treasure. They didn’t just allow any alpha to lay a hand near it.
Clearing his throat quietly, Ehlian turned onto his back and rested his head on Hayce’s thigh. It seemed instinctive how Hayce placed his hand on Ehlian’s chest, just above his heart. It was a welcoming, gentle weight.
Ehlian’s eyes drifted to the corner of the bookmark lolling above the page—the photo Hayce only allowed himself to see.
“Is there anyone missing you back on Arox?” Ehlian asked.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Hayce’s face, vanishing just as quickly. “No.”
That was almost unbelievable. Ehlian could understand why his family wanted nothing to do with him, but surely there had to be someone. A loyal friend, an omega… anyone at all. “Not even an omega?”
“No,” Hayce said curtly, the soft waves of his power hardening, shutting Ehlian out. But this time, Ehlian had no will left to restrain himself. It probably wasn’t a good idea to push, yet he did it anyway.
He caught the corner of the photo and pulled it free. Hayce’s fingers twitched, as though he wanted to snatch it back, but it was already too late.
Ehlian traced the rough, torn edge of the photo with his thumb. “You hate your brother?”
Hayce’s jaw clenched. “Do you remember what I told you?”
