Shiloh stabbed the fork into the tip of the cake. “That’s going to be a problem, since I’m a member of the mafia, and also a bit psychotic.”
“Omega.” Sarang captured his chin, tipping his head up so their eyes met. “Tell me you’ll try.”
He hadn’t had a single bloodthirsty urge since coming here. It seemed like being kept by the alpha, cared for and tended to, was enough to settle whatever monster had bloomed within him.
“All right. But no promises.” Shiloh ate a bite of the cake and then held out a palm, wiggling his fingers.
“What?” Sarang lifted a brow.
“Where is it?”
“Where is what?”
He clicked his tongue. “My marble.”
“I didn’t bring one today.”
The fork froze against his bottom lip, Shiloh’s brain taking a moment to process. On the bedside table, the mostly filled jar seemed just as confused as he was, the gemstone orbs within catching the light and winking.
“Why not?” Shiloh didn’t like this feeling. It was like he’d been wronged somehow. It made no sense, and yet he couldn’t stop the uncomfortable sensation spreading throughout his chest.
“I didn’t feel like it.” The alpha shrugged like it was no big deal.
“What?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it matters!” Shiloh set the cake aside to prevent himself from throwing it. Like a child.
“Oh?” Sarang cocked his head.
“You don’t get it. I want my marble, Rang. You always bring me one. I want it.”
“Don’t be spoiled, omega.”
“Spoiled—” He growled, a burst of angered pheromones shooting out of him. “You’re the one who started giving them to me. You’re the one who made me like them. You can’t just stop—” His eyes narrowed when he caught sight of the corner of the alpha’s mouth lifting. “This is a trick.”
“Not a trick,” Sarang corrected. “A lesson.”
“In?”
“How are you feeling right now?”
“Pissed off.”
“You can do better than that. Dig deeper and be good for me.”
Be more honest, he meant. Shiloh blew out a breath. Fine.
“I’m disappointed,” he said, “and confused. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t bring one when you always have. Did you run out?”
“I did not. There are still more in the bag in my office.”
“Then…why?”
“I told you,” Sarang replied. “I just didn’t want to.”
“But I’m upset now.” From the outside, it might appear as though the alpha was the one holding the cards here, but that wasn’t the case at all. Shiloh wasn’t being held against his will—he wanted to be here. So far, nothing the alpha had done to him had been things he didn’t also want. Even last night. “Does this have something to do with why you secretly fucked me?”
