Alpha's Prize: Demons of the Omegaverse Book 1 by August Oliver

Author:August Oliver [Oliver, August]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Finch Benson
Published: 2024-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Seraphin

After teaching, the weight of emotional turmoil made every step towards the penthouse feel like wading through quicksand. The effort of maintaining distance from Nick, of giving him the space he asked for, felt more like a punishment than a gesture of respect. My mind was a tumultuous sea, waves of longing and frustration crashing against the shores of my resolve.

Entering the penthouse, the sight that greeted me was one I'd usually find distracting— Irynnia emerging from the hot tub on the balcony, the steam of the warm water swirling around her like a cloak of mist. Today, however, her usual allure faded into the background, overshadowed by the pervasive thoughts of Nick.

She noticed my disinterest immediately, a knowing look in her eyes as she wrapped a towel around her hair and approached me. The casual grace with which she moved couldn't pierce the veil of my preoccupation. She wrapped her arms around my neck, her body still carrying the warmth of the water. "Talk to me," she urged, her voice a blend of concern and command.

I shook my head, an attempt to dislodge the images of Nick that haunted my every moment. "It's fucking hard, Ryn," I confessed, the words laced with a weariness I couldn't hide. "Staying away from him... it's like denying a part of myself."

She tilted her head, her expression softening. "I can only imagine," she admitted. "But if you want him to come around, you can't put pressure on him. He needs this time, Phin. Besides, it's probably for the best that he isn't here right now."

Her words, meant to console, felt like a cold splash of reality. "Why?" I asked, the question sharp with a mix of curiosity and dread.

Before she could answer, the sound of footsteps heralded Amber's entrance into the room. Her presence was like a storm cloud, darkening the already tense atmosphere. Amber's eyes flicked between Irynnia and me, her annoyance palpable.

"Where have you been?" she demanded, her voice sharp. The last few weeks had seen me absent and distracted, lost in thoughts of Nick, and she had taken notice.

"Just needed some air," I lied smoothly, trying to deflect her attention. It was a precarious balancing act, keeping Amber in the dark about Nick, about the depth of my feelings for him.

Amber crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "You've been 'needing air' a lot lately," she retorted, her tone laced with suspicion. "What's really going on, Phin?"

The room felt suddenly too small, the air charged with tension from the unspoken truths that lay between us. Irynnia, sensing the brewing storm, stepped back, a silent observer to the unfolding drama.

"Nothing's going on," I said, a touch too quickly. "Just been wrapped up in my thoughts, that's all."

Her eyes searched mine, looking for the truth I wasn't willing to give. It was a delicate dance, one wrong step away from unraveling everything. The situation with Nick, my growing distance from Amber—each was a thread in a complicated web I was struggling to maintain.

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