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And just like that, the concern was replaced with devastation. I was a special kind of asshole to leave him, but if I didn’t walk away right this second, I would do something I’d regret. Well, regret even more.
“You’re leaving me? After this?”
“I-I’ll send help. I’ll send Orion.” He would kill me, which I deserved, but it was the least I could do.
“Emerson, please don’t leave me. Alpha—”
I pulled my pants up, buckling them hastily. I ripped a piece of paper towel off the dispenser, wiping my hand and pants as best as I could. “I-I can’t do this, Jett. I need to go.”
I turned my back on him despite my entire body screaming at me not to go and walked out of the bathroom before I could do any more damage. Just as the door closed on me, I could hear Jett’s heartbreaking sob. I hesitated for just a second and almost turned around. Then, I saw the people watching me curiously. I didn’t think I could hate myself more once I came down from my orgasm but apparently, I could. Blocking Jett’s sobs out of my head, I walked away from the evidence of my deed and went to find Orion.
CHAPTER6
Jett
“I CAN’T DO THIS, JETT.”
The words rangin my head. Over and over, Emerson’s rejection took up all the space in my brain. It was the only thing I could manage to process. He left. He came on my face and then left me.
I was vaguely aware that I was curled up in a ball on the floor against the sinks, but my eyes were screwed shut. If I opened them, then it would only prove that this really happened. My alpha rejected me.
I choked on a sob and shoved my fist into my mouth to stop from crying out, but I couldn’t help it. I felt . . . broken. I didn’t know how else to explain it. Empty. Incomplete. It didn’t matter that I knew nothing about him. My soul knew Emerson belonged to me and he rejected that. I wasn’t enough to break through whatever was going on in his head.
I wasn’t enough.
The door creaked open, but I didn’t look up. I didn’t open my eyes. It wasn’t Emerson, that I was sure of, and that was the only person I cared about seeing.
“Oh. Oh gods. I-I’m sorry. I’ll get help. Gods, are you Strongfire’s brother? Fuck. I-I’ll go get him.” My eyes flew open and I looked up at the horrified young alpha standing before me.
It registered then what I must look like. I hadn’t pulled up my ruined suit pants, nor did I wash my face. I was sure I had bruises on my chin from Emerson’s fingers, and don’t get me started on my ass. I should try to cover up but . . . I just didn’t care.
This would ruin any chance of another alpha wanting to claim me today, but that hardly mattered anymore. I didn’t want anyone besides Emerson.
The alpha was young, not more than a year or two older than I was, and objectively handsome. He wasn’t Emerson. Not that he was trying claim me or even looked like he’d want me. He was clearly disgusted.
The alpha looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him, especially since he quickly looked away when I opened my eyes.
“Are you okay alone? I don’t want to leave you, but I need—”
The door burst open and for one small moment, I had a glimmer of hope that it was Emerson, until my furious brother barreled into the room, Lyric on his heel.
The alpha flinched and jumped away from the door so he didn’t get trampled by Orion. I saw his head tilt in acknowledgement of my brother’s dominance. I didn’t blame him. His alpha energy was all over the place, and even though I knew he’d never hurt me, I still winced and cowered as he stalked toward me.
“Leave now!” Orion snapped at the other alpha, though despite his anger, he managed not to put a trace of his alpha bark in the command. It was something he had been working on recently in his campaign to be as different from his father as possible.
Still, the words were harsh and both Lyric and I jumped at his tone. The alpha flinched but met Orion’s eyes. “I’m not leaving until I know they are safe with you, alpha.”
Well, goddess. I was not expecting that, and neither was Orion. There was a moment of fear where I was sure he was going to strike the smaller and less dominant alpha, and then he took a deep breath. Some of the tension left his shoulders and the suffocating alpha energy eased slightly, just enough so I could manage a deep breath. It was the first one I’d taken since Emerson left me.
“I’d never hurt them.” The words were growled through gritted teeth, but I could still hear the respect in his tone. Orion was impressed that this alpha was willing to stand up to not only a much more dominant alpha, but the one funding and hosting this event and the man who essentially controlled Lyric and me. He had no legal backing to stand on, and yet he still hadn’t moved a muscle. I was learning that not every alpha was as awful as I thought.
“It’s true.” Lyric finally spoke up, standing awkwardly between Orion and me, hovering. He wasn’t sure who needed his comfort. “We’re safe. I promise. Can I please take care of my brother-in-law now?”
The man hesitated for only a second before nodding. He titled his head in respect again, eyed me, and then quickly walked out.
As soon as the door closed behind the alpha, Lyric ran to lock it behind him. It was as if a dam broke and all the attention was solely on me.
During the excitement, I forgot—well, not forgot, but pushed it to the side for a moment—but seeing Orion and Lyric kneel in front of me, the concern, anger, and pity radiating off them was enough to bring the pain back full force and suddenly, I was sobbing again.
