Ehlian would bleed out in Hayce’s circles. Judged, scrutinised, picked apart. The very thought of one of those snobbish omegas, or even alphas, side-eyeing him sent a cold shiver down his spine.
For weeks the photos kept pouring in: Hayce drifting from one private ball to the next, surrounded by omegas. Touches, smiles, laughter… bared necks, subtle butbared. How many had he fucked? Every single one of them, probably. He didn’t need to control himself anymore. He was free to take whoever offered—
“That’s enough for today, Ehlian.” Willian plucked the holopad from his hands.
Ehlian tsked. “I was just checking.”
“Checking what?” Willian’s voice spiked with frustration, then softened after a breath. “I get it, okay? You shared a cell with him and he offered you protection, but he’s been out of prison for months. If he really wanted to see you again, he’d have come already. Take that from an alpha.” Willian’s eyes shifted to the still-projected images on the holopad. “He clearly has more than enough time on his hands.”
Ehlian cast one last glance at Hayce dancing with an omega before Willian shut it down.
“I know,” Ehlian said.
In the end, Hayce was just like Geald. He didn’t want to be associated with an omega criminal. Hayce might have proven his innocence, but Ehlian never could. He would always be a criminal. A nobody. Without a title. Without wealth.
Did he really think that just because Hayce had told him the truth about his brother, suddenly everything else wasn’t a lie? That the breakup wasn’t real?
What had he even been waiting for? One last fuck before Hayce went back to his fancy mansion and married his fancy omega? Had he actually lost his mind?
Willian sat down next to him on the sofa. “I might have been a bit too harsh.”
“No, you’re right.” Ehlian rubbed at his face, a sharp laugh breaking out. “Gods, I’m such a colossal idiot.”
“Heis the colossal idiot,” Willian corrected him. “So really, it shouldn’t be hard to find someone better than him. But please, avoid the likes of Geald this time.”
“By a mile,” Ehlian reassured with a half-smile.
Maybe that was exactly what he needed: to focus on what mattered and regain control over his life. The thought of moving back to his own flat still made him uneasy, but he had to take that step, however small and daunting it was.
“You know,” Willian said carefully. “There’s this alpha… a customer of mine. I got to know him over the years. Actually, you met him the other week. He came in to pick up his holowatch. Dark hair, brown eyes… he wore a dark green suit.”
“I don’t remember him.”
“That’s a shame. He’s kind of fond of you.”
Ehlian shook his head. “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
“I know,” Willian said. “But why not give it a shot? I’m not saying you should settle down or anything. Just ease back into it—have dinner, maybe a drink somewhere.”
“Give me his details.” Ehlian gave in, and a few seconds later his holowatch buzzed as Willian transferred the information. “I might never contact him, but I’ll consider it.”
He’d erase Hayce from his life, just as Hayce had so easily erased him from his.
He would move on.
For good.
Part III
Chapter 21
A week later, Ehlian finally moved back into his own flat.
The first few days weren’t easy. He missed having someone around, especially Willian’s snarky little comments. But slowly, steadily, he began to adapt to the normal rhythm of life again. He still worked in Willian’s shop anyway, so he didn’t spend most days alone.
One quiet evening in his flat, stuck alone with his thoughts and his anger, Ehlian gave in to a moment of weakness. He contacted the alpha. Willian was right. This could be casual, easy. It wasn’t like he was ready to settle down. But maybe, just maybe, he needed to feel wanted again. Maybe he needed an alpha to spoil him, just a little.
Their first date went surprisingly well. Dael was charming, said all the right things and wasn’t overly domineering. He seemed happy to let Ehlian set the pace, giving him space to ease into the evening.
