Page 11 of The Silver Pact
I hesitate and nod my head, refusing to admit to the lie out loud.
Ross steps out towards me, bringing that delicious scent of roasting chestnuts. His eyes soften as he assesses me. I don’t know what decision he comes to, but my embarrassment is complete. He can see through all my lies, I’m sure of it.
“You’re going to have something to eat, aren’t you?” Ross asks with a smile. “I’m cooking this morning, and I’m not bad, if I do say so myself. Take a seat at the counter, and I’ll have a plate ready in a jiffy.”
“Jiffy?” I tease before I remember where I am and who I’m not.
Ross winks at me. Those green eyes look even kinder when he’s walking barefoot in his own house. I want to run my fingers through the brown hair at the base of his neck.
“Why are you doing this?” I ask him to remind us both who we really are.
“Doing what?” Ross asks, frowning at the fridge.
“Helping me.”
“Why wouldn’t we help you, Silver? We all run in the same circle. You look like you need help. We have it to give, plus, I like you. I always have. I don’t want to see you sick or hurt.”
My eyes burn, and I look down at my hands. My fingers are red, the skin peeling and cut near my fingernails. Hell, even my knuckles are split.
“Ian hates me,” I whisper quietly.
“If Ian really hated you, he wouldn’t have bonded you. He also wouldn’t have carried you home and sat with you all night. You hurt his ego, his pride is wounded. He’ll get over it,” Ross says flippantly. He can say that, he looks amazing in a pair of black jeans and a simple t-shirt. Casual yet expensive. He doesn’t know what it’s like.
“Don’t have much of a choice now, do we?” A second voice says.
I stiffen as Quinton pulls up a stool beside me. He puts his chin on his hand and stares at me. I stare back. Quint is wearing a black jumper and shorts. His feet are bare. I try really hard not to let my eyes descend down his body. Nope, not even a little bit curious.
“You’re our omega. Stuck with us.” He elaborates.
“No, that doesn’t have to be true. I can leave-” I stutter out.
“Leave? No!” Ross says sharply. “Stay. Let us help you. Just until you’re stronger.”
“Mmm, and then we can work out how to unbond you.”
My heart freezes and jumps in my chest. It hurts. I can’t deny it. I deserve it, though.
“Don’t be a dick, Quint.” Weston sits on the other side of me, moving so close his thigh is pressed to mine. He’s wearing a singlet. There is so much skin visible, and it’s like being starving and walking into a buffet. As hard as I try not to look, I can’t look away. “Morning, sweetie.”
I peer at him, confused by the kindness. Weston’s slightly curly hair is even curlier when it’s wet. A ringlet hangs near his chin, drawing my eyes to his lips, which are full and lush.
Damn it, he’s as pretty as I remember.
“Morning,” I mumble belatedly.
“Feeling better?”
“She will be once she’s had something to eat.”
I sense him long before he appears. Ian comes towards us in an ocean wave of coldness.
Weston notices how tense I am and leans in close to me, putting a hand on my thigh as if he’s trying to reassure me.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s like this all the time.”
I keep my eyes on the counter as Ian sweeps into the kitchen. I can feel his probing stare, but I don’t acknowledge him at all. Even when I shiver, I keep my gaze on the bond mark on my wrist. Why did he do it? It makes no sense.
My heart is going to beat out of my chest.