Dammit.
Jamue's words implied there was something more. He called Deltta his alpha, not his heat partner. "He's not my alpha," he denied.
Though, deep down, he wanted him to be his alpha. It was insane. Deltta was out of his reach. Not only was he the previous alpha king, but he was also an omega's dream. He was handsome and kind, with an inner strength that drew Mac to him. His insides clenched as Deltta raised his gaze, his eyes falling on him. They heated, causing goosebumps to erupt on his skin. Mac looked down. His hair fell forward to cover his face.
Damn, he made him feel gooey inside.
“Are you sure? He keeps looking at you,” Jamue said thoughtfully. “Have you told him about...” His eyes fell on his neck. Voice going low, Jamue leaned close. "Does he want to bond with you?"
Mac blenched, eyes darting around the table.
Was he going to announce it to the whole room?
Oh, sorry, Jamue mouthed, looking down at his plate. Mac hoped no one heard that. For four days, he agonized about telling him. He'd open his mouth, and nothing came out. Feeling ridiculously clingy and foolish, Mac sighed.
He would tell him before he left.
“I love having you here. Are you sure you can’t stay longer?” Griean asked sulkily. “You haven’t visited my house yet.”
“I know. But I can’t stay. I must go back to work. Faria needs me.” Mac took Griean’s hand. “I’ll come back soon.”
“Can’t we stay until tomorrow?” Jamue asked.
“Please,” Griean clapped excitedly. “I want to show you the capital and spend time with you. You came here twice already, and you spent all your time with Deltta.”
He sounded like a spoilt child.
Mac grimaced, glancing at Deltta. The alpha's eyes were already on him. Dammit. He did look at him a lot.
“Fine.” He quickly agreed. “I’ll connect with Faria and let him know.”
Griean squealed, animatedly listing the places he wanted to take him in the capital. Mac listened, nodding in the right places.
After lunch, he returned to Deltta’s room to fetch his things. He searched for his connector in his packsack. He hoped Faria had no problem with him coming back a little late.
“Hey,” Faria’s voice came through the connector. “Tell me you’re on your way back. I’m almost out of the spirits you prepared. People are going crazy for them.”
“Uhh…” Mac bit the inside of his mouth. How did he tell him he wasn’t coming back today? “Listen…” he began.
“Mac, I need you. Desperately.”
“I know you need me, but…” Deltta’s scent suddenly hit him. Mac turned to a hard stare levelled at him. Was that anger he saw flickering in his eyes? Mac gulped, looking down at his feet. Why did he feel like he was doing something wrong?
“Mac, you’re killing me,” Faria grumbled.
“I’ll get on the airway first thing in the morning, I promise. You’ll be fine for two days. You won’t die without me.”
“Make sure you come back here.”
“I will.” Mac ended the connection. He looked up at Deltta. Something deep inside compelled him to appease the alpha in front of him. “That was Faria, my boss,” he explained, even though he didn't have to. Mac frowned.
Was the claiming mark affecting him? He behaved like Deltta was his alpha. Considering his desire for the alpha in front of him and the chemicals released during a claiming, it was possible.
They needed to get this thing removed.
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” Deltta said.
“I need to go…” Mac began, but Deltta stepped close to him, short-circuiting his brain.