Right.
That was something he’d forgotten. Something he hadn’t had to experience in so long, it’d completely fled his mind.
His mother’s rage had always been worse than her beatings.
More frightening in their explosiveness. In the way Shiloh was helpless to do anything against them. As he’d grown, he’d developed the knowledge that he could defend himself. If she hit him, he could grab her fist. He could fight back.
He never did, but there was a comfort in knowing that the choice was there. A power in knowing he was really the one in control, since he was allowing her to do what she wanted to him.
But when she got angry and took it out on objects instead of his flesh…
“Omega,” Sarang’s voice could barely be heard through the pounding of Shiloh’s heart. “Omega. Look at me.” He captured his wrists and tugged them down, forcing Shiloh to glance up and meet his gaze. “There. Look at me. Only me.”
A soft purr vibrated from the alpha’s chest a second before soothing pheromones cascaded around Shiloh. It took a moment, but together, the alpha’s comfort managed to seep past Shiloh’s fear.
He blinked.
“I won’t take another,” Sarang promised softly. “Tell me you won’t either.”
Shiloh swallowed and licked his lips, then nodded once. “There’s only ever been you, Rang.”
He’d never slept with anyone else.
He’d never wanted to.
The alpha looked surprised, but he got ahold of himself quickly. Releasing him, he stood and nodded toward the mess. “Leave it. I’ll clean it when I return.”
“Where are you going?” Shiloh grabbed onto the cuff of his shirt.
“That’s none of your concern.” Sarang pried his hand off. “Be good for me, omega, and I’ll be back before you know it.”
“And if I’m bad?”
“I’ll stay away.”
Shiloh wanted to argue, but his still healing body had reached its limits. He lowered back onto the bed, pulling the covers over himself.
And watched the alpha turn and walk away.
Chapter 20:
“No one is allowed entrance,” Sarang commanded to the four guards he’d placed outside his suite. He’d locked the door to his bedroom before leaving, so he doubted Shiloh could call for help, but just in case… “If you hear the prince, ignore him. If any of you let him out, I’ll kill you, is that understood?”
“Yes, underboss.” They all gave him a deep bow as he shoved his hands into his pockets and headed down the hall.
Tull was waiting for him by the elevators, a pinched expression written across his face. “How is he?”
“Fine.” Sarang slammed the button and waited.
“With all due respect,” the other man stated, “he wasn’t fine when I found the two of you. When Kian finds out—”
“Kian is busy searching for his other brother.” He set a steely gaze on Tull. “Don’t distract him with unimportant matters.”
“You violently accosted the prince,” Tull hissed. “That’s serious!”
“Shiloh is fine.”
“Then let me in there to talk to him.”
