Chapter 166

Nolan

I can’t believe it.

Even as I’m working, I keep stealing glances at Ciel.

What?

What does he mean, he’s been in love with me his whole life? What does he mean, he used to wish I was an alpha? What does he mean, he’s not afraid anymore?

My brain is spinning. My heart is pounding. My fingers are typing nonsense into a spreadsheet that I’m going to have to redo tomorrow.

I glance at him again.

He’s curled up on the office couch, scrolling through his phone, completely at ease. His scarf is draped over the armrest. His hair is falling across his face.

Now every day when I come to work, I’ll think of this moment.

I decide to call it a half day. I’m not in the right headspace anyway. My brain is still spinning, my heart is still pounding, and I keep finding excuses to look at him like he might disappear if I blink.

We walk hand in hand to the elevator.

Some employees glance at Ciel—curious, appreciative, the kind of look that makes my jaw tighten. I narrow my eyes and tug his head scarf lower to hide his face.

Ciel’s beauty has always been a problem.

People stare. People want. People think they’re entitled to look, to touch, to take.

"I can’t see," Ciel murmurs, batting at my hand.

"Good."

I don’t let go of the scarf. The elevator doors close, and we’re alone.

"I don’t like people looking at you," I say.

He snorts.

"I can’t believe I didn’t notice when you go full protective asshole mode when it comes to me."

"You’ve never been the smartest."

"I thought you were being protective of me because I’m an omega." He defends.

I snort.

"Jack saw through my bullshit when we first met."

"You were such an asshole to him," he says.

"Because I felt threatened."

The elevator doors open. We step out into the lobby.

Ciel hands the receptionist the visitor’s pass, and we head out. Within a minute, a car pulls up. I notice the driver is one of Jack’s men. We get into the backseat.

"You felt threatened by Jack," he says.

"You don’t understand." I stare out the window as the city rolls past.

"He was tall. Handsome. Rich. An alpha. And not an asshole." I pause. "I saw my place in your life being taken away."

He takes my hand.

"I’m sorry it took so long for us to get here," he says.

"It’s okay."

He squeezes my hand in response.

"How are you in love with me, but attracted to Jack?" he asks suddenly.

I look at him.

"How can anyone not be attracted to Jack?"

"Valid, but that’s not what I mean."

I sigh, leaning my head back against the seat.

"Well... that’s one of the reasons why I didn’t think we would ever work out. You’re an omega, and I would never satisfy you. It’s impossible." I pause.

"My love for you and some of my desires were not... you know... compatible."

"Compatible how?"

"Are you seriously asking me this?" I groan.

"Well, yeah." He says.

I stare at him. He’s not joking.

"I’m sure you’ve noticed, but in... during those activities... I tend to have a more submissive nature..." I say cautiously.

"So what? Because I’m an omega, I can’t be dominant?"

He moves close. In my space. The car suddenly feels very small.

I can’t escape. My heart races.

"I mean, you can be... but the physical part..." I avoid his eyes.

"So because I’m an omega, I can’t fuck you."

My face flames.

"I..." I don’t respond.

"You think I want to be fucked by you, Nollie?" He’s extremely close now, his hand on my neck. My palms are sweaty.

"Well—a little—but what I really want—" He leans closer. His lips brush my ear.

"Is to take my omega dick and put it in your beta hole while Jack takes his alpha dick and drills my omega hole."

He whispers it like a secret. Like a promise.

Then he pops open the top button of my dress shirt.

The car stops.

I use the back of my hand and fall out of the car.

***

Ciel

Nolan stumbles out of the car like it’s on fire. His face is red—not pink, not flushed, but red. His shirt is unbuttoned at the collar. His hair is a mess. He looks like he’s just seen a ghost.

I step out after him, calm, composed, smoothing down my scarf.

Well, the secret is out.

Now Nolan knows what my nefarious plans are.

He looks at me. His eyes are wide. His face is still red. His collar is still undone.

I give him an innocent, sweet smile—like the helpless little omega I am.

I hook my arm in his.

He flinches.

"Ciel."

"Yes, Nollie?"

We start walking toward our home through the palace halls. The marble floors echo under our footsteps. Guards nod as we pass. Servants bow. Neither of us pays them any attention.

"You can’t just say that," he whispers.

"Why? You think I’m too small?" I glance up at him sideways.

"Favoritism when Jack’s fingers turned you into a mess last night."

He misses a step.

Stumbles. Recovers.

His face is crimson now. Not pink. Not flushed. Crimson.

"Nollie?"

"You—" He swallows.

"You can’t just—"

"Can’t just what?" I bat my eyelashes. "State facts?"

We round the corner. Our wing is ahead. The guards at the door straighten when they see us.

Now I know why Jack loves to tease Nolan so much.

It’s fun.

I’m thinking of my next words—something devastating, something that will make him blush even deeper—when we meet Jack in the doorway.

He has a complicated look on his face.

"Sunshine." His voice is careful. "Baron Rosengarde wants to see you."

There goes my good mood.

The warmth drains out of me. My hand drops from Nolan’s arm. My spine straightens.

"What?" I say.

"He’s in the east wing. Arrived an hour ago. The king granted him an audience."

My father.

Here.

In the palace.