Sarang was alpha, and alphas liked that sort of thing, didn’t they? Liked being in charge and taking control. Showing off and protecting their mates. So what if Shiloh gave him moreopportunities to do so? Why did it matter if he leaned into cliché omega stereotypes and allowed the other man to take care of him?
It wasn’t like Shiloh didn’t want to be cared for. He did. That part wasn’t fake.
The part where he wanted Sarang as his alpha, desperately, wasn’t fake.
“Stay back.” Sarang eased Shiloh into the corner, then shifted onto his feet.
They could hear the sounds of their pursuers calling out to each other as they searched the first floor.
“Bishop sent for backup already,” Shiloh lied, knowing his Lefthand would do nothing of the sort without Shiloh’s command. “Take care of them quick, that way we can still make it to dinner.”
Sarang didn’t spare him a glance, peering around the corner of their hiding place as footsteps echoed up the ramp to their level. “As soon as backup arrives, you’ll be going straight to Caelum where it’s safe.”
“No.” He couldn’t be serious. “You promised.”
“That was before you were attacked.”
“We were both attacked,” Shiloh pointed out, gaze landing on the bloodstain on the back of the alpha’s shirt.
“It doesn’t matter who the target was. I won’t let you disappear again. We still haven’t found Elm. There’s a chance these people are working with whoever took him, and I’m not willing to take that risk. You’ll go back to the club. This isn’t a debate.”
Shiloh narrowed his eyes, but Sarang couldn’t see it. “That sounds an awful lot like you’ve forgotten who is really in charge here.”
“No, you have. It’s me. Kian—”
“What’s between us and what’s between you and my brother are two separate things.” Shiloh should pull back, contain himself before he slipped up. But seeing his injured alpha, hearing him tell him he was calling off the birthday… “Would it mean so little to you if the omega from Den Night was the one who planned your party?”
“Shiloh.”
“You think he’s the one, right? You want to claim him?” He was getting himself worked up again. Should stop. Should focus.
But if Sarang canceled dinner at the restaurant, that was it. Shiloh’s plans would go up in smoke and he’d be back at square one.
No, worse than, because this time there was an imaginary other omega to fill Sarang’s thoughts.
To distract him from Shiloh.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Sarang asked, seemingly at random before adding, “Is the pain getting to you? Is that why you’re acting like this? You aren’t in your right mind.”
He scoffed. “I’ve been injured worse than this. You do realize you’re the one who’s been shot, right?”
“This is nothing.”
“Yeah, well, neither is a dislocated shoulder.”
“You don’t have to pretend to be tough around me.”
If only Sarang knew. Shiloh barely held back the urge to roll his eyes.
“I’m the Prince of the Eumia,” he stated, but he should have realized the alpha would take it the wrong way.
“Exactly. You’ve been pampered and kept safe. There’s nothing wrong with having to rely on others, Loh.” Sarang tilted his head, listening more intently. “They’re coming.”
“You’d really be fine if I took another alpha?” Shiloh didn’t give a shit about the idiots who were after them. Theywere nothing. Not even worthy of being specks of dirt on his loafers. “What if it was Dio? What if I told you I plan on asking him for the bite?”
Sarong noticeably tensed, but it was impossible to tell if it was due to Shiloh’s threats, or because the footsteps and shouts were growing closer.
“Answer the question, alpha.” He thought Shiloh was weak. Shiloh had made him believe that, but… “Are you hoping to pawn me off so you can go be with another omega? Think you can find one better fit for the mafia than me?”
