That his stubborn alpha might already want him back.
There’d been moments where he’d suspected, of course, but how could Shiloh have been certain when the alpha had tried so hard to deny it? Discovering that this attraction between them probably wasn’t as one-sided as Shiloh had feared made him rethink everything. His brain kept replaying old encounters, trying to pick them apart for more proof.
It was exhausting and distracting, and he didn’t have time for distractions.
It didn’t help that his ass and lower back still ached either.
That was also pissing him off.
He was going to have to get better at taking his alpha if he hoped for this to continue.
And it would continue.
Now that he’d had a real taste, there was no way Shiloh was letting Sarang slip through his fingers. Even if he had to force the older man to accept him, he would do so.
But…
That night, Sarang had called him perfect darling prince.
That night, the alpha had run to the Wardrobe to spend his rut with a stranger because he hadn’t been able to handle the fact Shiloh had lied about the pregnancy.
What would he do when he found out all of the other lies he’d been told over the past four years?
What if—
“You’re doubting yourself,” Bishop guessed. “Don’t.”
“Giving me orders now, are you?”
“I wouldn’t dare. But, if I were your friend, I would—”
“You are.” Shiloh had shown himself to Bishop from the start. There’d been no reason to hide from someone trapped in more darkness than he was. “Speak plainly. Always. I gift you that right.”
Bishop hesitated and then gave a single curt nod. “Let the Dominus keep the spotlight. Take him showing off his newfound mate as motivation. You have been too patient. Too docile. You rule from the shadows. The mask allows this, but it doesn’t define you. It isn’t who you are.”
“No, I’m the type of person who picks men up off the streets, gets them clean, and turns them into my own personal slaves. Isn’t that true?”
“You just said we were friends, majesty,” Bishop reminded, tone lightening some for the first time all night. “Either way, use me at your leisure. I aim to serve.”
“Do you want to know my favorite thing about you?” Shiloh pushed off the side of the pool and moved for where his second was standing. Planting his palms against the coarse stone, he pulled himself out of the steaming water, straightening with less than three inches between the two of them. “You’re crooked everywhere else, but when it comes to sexuality, you’re straight as an arrow.”
He would never have to worry about Bishop falling for him the same way he had to with Diogenes.
“Perhaps I simply haven’t found the right man to sway me,” Bishop said. He didn’t move away, keeping still and allowing Shiloh to invade his personal space, but there was no attraction there, and his words were honest, lacking any hidden meaning.
“I like that about you too,” Shiloh told him. “I like that we can be ourselves with one another, without filter.” Thanks to the beta’s temperament, it hadn’t taken long to get him to move past their stations and talk openly with him. All of his statements were truthful. Pointed. “There are no mental gymnastics where you’re concerned.”
Bishop’s multi-slate beeped and he tapped the earbud attachment in his right ear, listening for a moment before ending the transmission. “The Princess is looking for you.”
“Tell her I’ll be there in a—”
“Shiloh,” Sarang’s voice was clipped. He must have just arrived, heading toward them with hastened steps. His hand was on Shiloh’s wrist soon enough, and he pulled him away from Bishop, glaring at the beta. “Decorum, Lefthand. I shouldn’t have to keep reminding you.”
Shiloh winked at Bishop while Sarang wasn’t looking, then softened his expression and rested a hand over the alpha’s arm. “Don’t be mad, Rang. I was feeling dizzy. Bishop was only trying to ensure I didn’t fall over.”
The alpha spun on him, pressing the back of his hand against Shiloh’s forehead, Bishop all but forgotten. “Were you soaking for too long? How do you feel now?”
It was moments like these that confused Shiloh the most. Got his hopes up. But Sarang always got a hold of himself quickly, too quickly for Shiloh to be able to assess how deep the concern actually went.
