Nylune’s heart stopped beating. He took a step back and collided into something. A hand gripped his shoulder, holding him in place.
“Don’t run,” Dr Micha whispered, just as Adew continued to speak.
“I didn’t realise it at first, but I was attracted to him in a way I couldn’t explain. I wanted to be with him even though I denied it, because I had made the decision to stay alone, and I felt guilty for rejecting Urim. But I couldn’t even stick to my own decision. I was confused half the time about how I felt about him. And did things I couldn’t even explain. I hated that he rejected me and pushed me away, yet still loved it because it was a challenge that the alpha inside me embraced. I went after him with a ferocity I’ve only shown in the sphere. And he responded to it. I had to hide that part of myself when I was with Urim. I loved him, so it didn’t matter. But now…”
“Some omegas respond to aggressive alphas, some don’t,” Lars interrupted him. “Maybe that’s what it is. True mates haven’t existed for centuries, Adew. You can’t just…”
“Have you ever heard the belief that aggressive alphas demand so much from an omega they can only have a successful relationship with their true mates?”
“Yes, but…”
“It’s true. The thrill that fills me every time he submits to me is intoxicating. I should have known what it meant,” Adew laughed slightly. “I was such a fool. Do you know, I claimed him the first night we were together? That should have told me something.”
“Fuck, you did what?” Lars loudly groaned. “Do you know who Nylune is? He’s not just an ordinary omega. He is…”
Nylune pulled out of Dr Micha’s hold and ran. He couldn’t listen to the rest because he knew what Lars was going to say. He was the omega who’d fucked the alpha king in his office. He ruined everything he touched. Tears filled his eyes as he ran up the stairs to his room. He dropped down on his bed and cried. He cried for everything that had happened to him: the loneliness, the pain and constant need for an alpha.
“Nylune,” Dr Micha said, knocking slightly and opening the door. “Are you okay?”
Nylune wiped away his tears and sat up. “He felt like my alpha. I should have known that he was my true mate. But it doesn't matter, does it? I’m not what he needs. I’m not going to ruin another alpha’s life.”
“Nylune…”
“No. It’s fine. I accepted my fate a long time ago. I’m glad it was him who helped me with my prolonged heat. I got to experience what it was like to belong to an alpha,” he said sadly. “Can I ask you for a favour? Please, tell him the experiment didn’t work. I’m going to end the experiment here. I can’t continue.”
“You can’t do that. You’re not completely healed.”
“I know,” Nylune said, getting to his feet. “I’ve lived with my prolonged heat for five years. The rest of my life won’t make a difference.”
“Nylune…”
“Please, Dr Micha. I’m tired. I can’t ruin another alpha’s life.”
“He’s your mate. That’s not something you can throw away.”
“To save him, I’ll do anything. Please help me. I couldn’t do anything for Deltta because I didn’t have the power. But I can help my alpha. I can step aside and let him return to his life… let him live his dream,” Nylune said. He got to his feet and walked to the washroom, closing the door behind him. Tears ran down his cheeks. He splashed water on his face, but the tears kept coming. He dropped to his knees and let himself cry.
“Nylune,” Adew called as he rushed through the house. He knocked at the door a few minutes later. Nylune got up from the floor and opened the door. He looked devastated. “Dr Micha told me.”
Nylune nodded, grateful that Dr Micha gave him his wish. “We’re removing the claiming mark and breaking our bond as soon as possible. It’s over.”
“No, baby. It’s not. You’re my true mate, there’s nothing to break here,” Adew said, wiping his tears away. “I want you. I want us to start over, to be in a real relationship. Learn about each other, fall in love. I want to fall in love with you.”
Nylune removed his hand and stepped away. His insides shrivelled up at the thought of what he had to do. “I can’t. I have to find another alpha who will heal me. You can’t ask me to be sick for the rest of my life just because we’re true mates.”
“What?” Adew staggered back. The pain in his eyes devastating. “I can’t believe you said that to me.”
I’m sorry, Nylune silently whimpered. He balled his hands into fists and forced himself to continue. He needed to break Adew in order to make him whole. “The claiming mark fooled us, made us believe that we were doing the right thing for me when in reality we were wasting each other’s time. You benefited from the whole thing, but I didn’t.”
Adew clenched his jaw, his green eyes darkening. “Now you’re making me sound like a selfish asshole.”
“I’m just stating facts. Maybe the next alpha will help me.”
Adew stared at him for what felt like forever before he turned and walked out of the door, and his life.
Chapter 16
Adew