Page 39 of Omega Tricked

He tilted his head, his expression puzzled. “What don’t I understand?”

“I can’t ever see Ayden again.”

“But why?”

“Because he’s gone.”

“Gone?”

I closed my eyes, feeling light-headed. “Jacob and I had major problems. He was… violent. When I finally stood up to him and told him I’d had enough, he… he took Ayden.” I opened my eyes, and I was sure the pain in my eyes was obvious because he stilled. “He went to a hotel and he… he.” I couldn’t keep talking because my throat closed up.

His eyes widened, and horror swept over his features. “Oh, God.”

I stared at my clenched fists. “He gave Ayden an overdose of sleeping pills, and he hung himself.”

“No,” he groaned, reaching out to touch my chilled hands. “God, no. Why?Whywould he do that?”

I shook my head, holding back my tears. “To hurt me? To punish me? I’ve asked myself that same question a thousand times. I’ll never know exactly what he was thinking, but I know Ihatehim. I hate him so much I can’t stand it sometimes.”

His touch tightened on my fingers. “No wonder you don’t trust alphas. Fuck, no wonder, Dylan.”

I exhaled roughly. “Who knows what’s inside a person’s mind? How can I ever trust anyone again? I’d never have thought Jacob would do that. I knew he was an asshole. I knew he could be cruel. But…” I shook my head. “I never saw that evil in him. If I didn’t see it in him… I could so easily miss it in someone else.”

His expression was tense. “I don’t blame you.” Something flickered in his gaze. “I wouldn’t blame you if you never trusted anyone ever again.”

I was emotionally drained from telling him the truth, but it also felt good. He seemed to truly understand my anguish, and he hadn’t tried to give me meaningless platitudes. He’d simply been horrified, and shaken. “I don’t like to talk about it.” I pressed a hand to my aching heart. “It’s painful, and it makes people uncomfortable. They don’t know what to do or say.”

“Yeah.” He pulled his hand away from mine. “I don’t know what to say. But… it helps me understand you better. It makes some of the harsh things you’ve said to me in the past feel less personal. If that makes sense?”

“Good. I’m glad. I don’t actually want to be mean. It’s just that I find it difficult to trust. I think I always will.”

“Of course you will. I would too.” He shook his head, still looking shell-shocked.

“You might be the only alpha I trulyalmosttrust.”

His brows rose. “Me?”

“Yes. After what we went through together, you’ve pretty much proved yourself.”

Red spears appeared on his high cheekbones, and he avoided my gaze. “I’m… flattered.”

“I’m glad I told you. It’s hard to get to know someone when you’re hiding a major chunk of yourself.” I smiled tentatively.

“True.”

I studied his handsome face, taking in his strong jaw and the upward curve of his mouth. While I couldn’t tell him about what I was, or that I could bear children, I’d shared the most important part of myself with him: Ayden. Lex was a good alpha. I was sure of it. I hoped we’d always be close. He’d never see me romantically, but Lex would probably always be special to me. I hoped when he finally left the compound and went home, he’d remember me. It’d be nice to think I meant something to him too.

Chapter Twelve

Lex

After my heart-to-heart with Dylan, we washed the dishes and sat out on the back porch. At first, our conversation was superficial, as if neither of us wanted to return to the emotional mood of earlier. I was still in shock about the story Dylan had shared with me. I couldn’t begin to fathom the level of betrayal and heartbreak he’d endured during his young life. Losing a child under any circumstances would be devastating, but to be betrayed by his alpha like that would have done immeasurable damage. No wonder he’d looked at me like I was trying to trick him.

Aren’t you?

I winced inwardly, feeling guilt over how I’d fooled him myself. I hoped he’d never need to know how I’d played him. If I could just get some info about Dad, I’d be on my way, and he never had to find out that I’d used him to get inside the compound.

“I’m surprised I like it up here in the mountains,” I said, looking out over the thick carpet of spruce pines that covered the hills surrounding the compound. “I’m a city boy through and through, but it is beautiful up here.”