“You wanted what they have.” Hayce said, tone bored. “I gave it to you.”
What even was Hayce even talking about? “They?”
“I told you I don’t want a mate,” Hayce said. “You just didn’t want to listen.”
They. The only pair in this miserable place who flaunted their bond so openly it bordered on obscene. That was precisely how Hayce had found his grip on him, twisting their relationship into something fake. His mind replayed the morning, how Hayce had fucked him to the edge of his sanity, the sweetest words whispered against his skin, the kisses that still seared into his body even now.
Ehlian realised with startling clarity that in exchange he had given Hayce exactly what he wanted: sex. Pleasure. A mere fuck toy. The one thing he had sworn he’d never become.
The sound of his heart cracking drowned out even the furious thud of his pulse. “You manipulative piece of shit!”
“Yeah, well,” Hayce said with a loose shrug, “my brother could tell you plenty about that.”
Had anything Hayce said about his brother been true, or was it all just an act? More lies to paint himself as the innocent little victim? “What about that photo?”
“Everyone falls for it,” Hayce said. “But you were easier to fool than most.”
Fuck. He wasn’t innocent, was he? He was guilty as charged. Of course Hayce hadn’t wanted to share anything with him or prove his innocence. There was nothing to share. Nothing to prove. It was a well-rehearsed act, something he must have done a thousand times. Ehlian fucking knew core signatures couldn’t be faked, yet he had swallowed all the lies like an idiot.
“That’s it?” Ehlian hissed. “I’m no longer of use to you, so you cast me out of your pack and leave me without protection?”
“You’re still part of my pack. Aric will protect you.”
“You’re handing me off like a used toy?” Ehlian’s fury and pain intertwined, cutting deep. “If you think I’ll sleep with Aric—”
“Aric is not going to touch you,” Hayce said firmly.
“Why would I believe anything you say now? Your word is worthless.” Ehlian finally turned away, unable to bear Hayce’s presence any longer.
He grabbed his stuff from the armchair and glanced at the new omega on his way out. “Don’t fall for his tricks.”
He stepped out of the cell, his loud steps echoing his anger, but there was a false note to them. Another crack in his heart.
*
Ehlian barely left Aric’s cell for the rest of the week. He didn’t talk to him. He didn’t talk to anyone.
At least there were two separate beds, wide enough for him to share with Larik.
Maybe Larik was the only one who had made even the smallest attempt at kindness when he caught him crying quietly one night.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently.
“No,” Ehlian managed between two sniffs.
“Sure? I’m happy to listen.”
“I’m fine, Larik.”
“You don’t sound fine,” he said softly. “It’s not good keeping those things in. Talking about it helps… it always does.”
That was ironic coming from someone who barely ever uttered a word. And while Ehlian appreciated Larik’s support, he still didn’t speak. “I’m just happy I’m going home. That’s all.”
Larik encouraged him gently a few more times, but when he realised Ehlian wouldn’t budge, he gave up.
Other than that, sharing a cell with Aric felt... uneventful. For once, it seemed Hayce had told the truth. Aric never touched him.
The week dragged on painfully slowly, feeling longer than the eight months Ehlian had already endured here. It was torture, a test of patience, and his patience was wearing thin.
