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“Okay … So, you’re a honey-eating vegan? Why?”
“Because the bees can leave,” Doc whispered, his eyes getting a far-off, wistful expression. Royce had the distinct impression he wasn’t just talking about bees. “When done properly or harvested wild, the bees have autonomy over whether they stay in the hives or not; they aren’t caged or beaten. Besides, agave over-farming is terrible for the bats and—why am I explaining this to you? You don’t care.”
“Is it something you care about?”
There was a long pause before Doc conceded, “Yes.”
“Alright then, that means I care too.”
“Stop that.”
“What?”
“Acting like you give a rat’s, like you know me. You know nothing about me.”
“Yet,” Royce corrected. “I know nothing about you yet, but I’d like to.”
Doc stared at him, his hands still firmly wrapped around his neck.
“Make him stop that,” his wolf whined. “I want to be able to scent his sweet omega perfume. I want it to fill me up while you stuff him full of our knot, and our juices are flowing out of that tight little hole.”
“You are not helping!” Royce shot back. “You do realize this is the exact behavior that’s terrifying him? He’s being overcautious because he doesn’t want an alpha mate who acts like that!”
“But he’s ours! If he’d just let me bite him and take care of all his omega needs, he’d see how perfect we are for him.”
“Would you shut up already? I’m trying to have a conversation over here.”
“A conversation that excludes me and my opinions, which is rude.”
“No, what’s rude is you trying to force a mate bond.”
Royce and his wolf had a rapid, heated conversation while the omega continued to watch him. Instead of glaring, the hard line between the Doc’s brows had relaxed, morphing into a curious skepticism.
“What?” Royce asked.
“I’m just … trying to figure you out.”
Royce smiled at that; he couldn’t help it. “I’d love to answer any questions you have, Doc.”
“Not that type of ‘figure out.’ I’m trying to decide if you’re going to lose it and attack me.”
The bottom fell out of Royce’s stomach, and the smile fell from his lips. What the hell had his omega been through to have such a jaded worldview?
Him? Well, he’d been tossed around the system as an orphan, then kicked into a war zone. It made sense for Royce to be crabby. But the omega? They should be cherished and protected. Logically, Royce knew that wasn’t always the case. But he couldn’t fathom his mouthy little omega being put in a situation like that.
He wanted to stay here all night. Talking to him, offering him sweet nothings and countless reassurances that Royce would protect him with his life. But that’s clearly not what Doc needed.
Words were worthless unless you had tangible proof to back them up. Right now, Royce’s actions mattered more than anything he could say to the omega. Going against his every instinct, Royce nodded, got up from the chair, and left the omega alone.
Chapter eleven
Theodore
When Theodore was fairly certain the alpha wasn’t returning for the evening, he eased off the bed and grabbed his phone. It was late, too late to call Gerald like he’d hoped. Next, he found every chocolate tin in his bags and opened them. They were all full of chocolates. Which meant it was back at the cabin.
Crap on a cracker.
When he made his great escape from alpha Royce, he’d need to make a pit stop back at the cabin. His car was there, so he’d have to run back anyway, but this would add minutes when he had precious little time.
