“You like it.”
“It’s a rock.” Shiloh stared at it a little longer and then clasped it tightly and went back to his cards, selecting one to play with an intensity that seemed somewhat forced. “I don’t know why a stupid pebble is making me happy.”
Sarang felt like he’d won from that alone. From the fact that his omega wasn’t even going to try to deny that it did, in fact, please him.
“Should I tell you why?” he asked casually, like this wasn’t also part of his plan. Like he wasn’t doing all of this to probe Shiloh and lead him to the conclusions he wanted him to have. In the past, he would have felt burdened by guilt over his deceptions, but not now. There was no reason for him to feel ashamed for tricking the younger man.
The omegawantedto be his.
Sarang was merely complying.
Besides, Shiloh could handle it. Deserved it, honestly. Years fooling others was bound to come back on him karmically.
“Why?” Shiloh was far too interested in hearing the answer. It was cute.
Very akin to the inquisitive person he’d always been around Sarang.
So that was real as well. His need to understand and piece together emotional responses. How they happened and why. His inability to recognize the cause and effect even within himself.Shiloh was too hypervigilant. He had a one-track mind—a crafty one, but one that only saw the forest for the trees.
“You like me, omega.” Sarang watched closely for any minute change in his expression.
“Duh.” Shiloh set his cards down. “I’d say ditto, but since the Shiloh you liked is a person who never existed, I guess the joke is on me this time around.”
That was the perfect leadup. He was making this easy without even knowing it.
Another thing that hadn’t changed.
Shiloh had always let his guard down around Sarang. He just hadn’t realized it.
“It’s your turn.” Sarang collected the cards and began shuffling, even though they hadn’t finished this round. When Shiloh gave him a puzzled look, he elaborated. “I suggested we both admit we were wrong, remember?”
“I already agreed that I tricked you.”
“Not that.”
He frowned, the first spark of annoyance flickering to life in his blue eyes. “I’m not following, Rang. Speak plainly.”
“There was enough truth mixed in with the lie that you aren’t as big of a stranger to me as you think.”
“If you insist on believing that, I can’t stop you,” Shiloh drawled, “But you’re wrong. Same way you were wrong about me liking you because of the bond. You’re a master at twisting things to fit your narrative.”
“I think you should look in the mirror, omega.”
“Give me one and I will.”
Sarang had known it would be difficult to get Shiloh to see he wasn’t as heartless as he’d convinced himself he was. Maybe that perception had been cultivated by his mother, maybe it’d been mere survival instincts kicking in when he’d been youngand vulnerable, and the only way to live was by being brutal and vicious.
Kian was friends with the Imperial Heir, Altair. But he wouldn’t run into a burning building to save him if it put his own life at risk.
Something told Sarang his omega wouldn’t react the same in a similar situation.
“If Bishop was trapped in a blizzard, would you go after him?” Sarang asked.
Shiloh’s brow furrowed. “Uh, yeah. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Even if there was a good chance you’d freeze to death?”
“Bishop would risk his life for me without a second thought. Of course I’d do the same for him.” He fisted one hand. “Have you done something to him, Rang?”
