Page 29 of His Snowbound Omega
His brother wasn’t an idiot.
He’d see through the rouse and get straight to the part of the problem Thorn would rather he never discover. That his older brother had been backed into a corner and signed the contract to pull them both out of debt, not out of any desire of his own to procreate.
“He can’t ever know,” he whispered.
“What?” Baal quirked a dark brow. “That you’re willing to do literally anything for him, including bed a member of the White Frost? I’m curious, given your reaction. Does he know you joined the Hunt?”
“Of course not.”
“Ah.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “Don’t.”
“Relax, omega. What reason could I possibly have to out you to little brother?”
Don’t give him a reason. That was what Baal was really saying.
Thorn combed his fingers through his hair and inhaled, trying to bank down any lingering embers of irritation.
“There he is.” The alpha straightened. “There’s my good omega.”
He clenched his hands into fists at his sides, but the second Baal’s gaze dropped there, he forced them to open. “Where have you been?”
“Did you miss me, sweetheart?” He tipped his head before Thorn could reply. “Or were you too busy to be bothered?”
Thorn kept his mouth shut.
“You don’t seem surprised that I’m aware of what you’ve been up to in my absence.”
“No offense, but you didn’t come off like the type of alpha who wouldn’t keep tabs on other people.”
“No offense taken.” He took a lazy step forward. “But it isn’t other people. I’m keeping tabs on my omega, Thorn. It’s my right to do so.”
“Did I complain?”
“Not verbally.” He chuckled. “But your eyes speak volumes. You’re so good at masking your emotions with everyone else, but not me. Why do you think that is?”
Thorn shrugged. “Because I know I don’t stand a chance against you?”
“Perhaps.” Instead of coming closer, the alpha surprised him by returning to his spot against the shower stall. He slid his hands into the pockets of his fancy coat and then said, “I’m taking you out to dinner tonight.”
“Can I refuse?”
“What do you think?”
Thorn glanced away. “What time?”
“When are you free?”
“You tell me. Isn’t that how this works?”
“Look at me.”
Stubbornly, he refused.
“Omega.”
“What?” Thorn almost lost his cool when he turned his head back and caught the fire sparking behind Baal’s gaze.