Omega Bound Chapter 242

Ayla

Days went by and instead of Thane opening up to me, he focused all his time working and keeping me safe.

From THE ENTIRE WORLD.

It started with a few safety reminders here and there. 'Keep the door locked, don't tell anybody you are alone.'

Then he encouraged me to stay home more.

That turned into virtual house arrest because the traitor is out there somewhere.

I can’t eat anything that wasn’t prepackaged or cooked by him here because it could be poisoned.

I can’t open mail. It is all left at the office because it could be tampered with.

He had our road closed and detours made so there are no reasons for vehicles.

Thane wanted me to have every part of him and that includes his paranoia, I guess. However, hearing him mumble about a chair lift for the stairs before he left for the office has me truly fearful bubble wrap is next.

“Hey,” I say hesitantly as my mate enters the kitchen, carrying tote bags.

“I brought groceries.” Thane says as he enters the home. “I will make you something to eat before I head back. I have a video call with Clarke this afternoon to brainstorm our next move.” I watch Thane set the bags on the island and start going through the items. I have been feeling very lonely while he is away, but I find myself feeling that way with him around too.

“You don’t have to. I’m not really hungry right now anyway.”

“You’re always hungry.” Thane looks at me with concern.

“Thanks.” I grumble, heading toward the stairs. I don’t know where to go from here in addressing Thane’s increased paranoia.

“You know what I mean. Growing pup. You need calories.” Thane says gently as he catches my arm.

“I’m just fine.” I pull my arm away which causes him to furrow his brows in confusion.

“You won’t be if you do not eat. You could get faint.” He tries again. His tone is softer as he reaches his hand out again.

“I think I’m going to my nest.” I need to lay and think about how to proceed. I know he is hurting and on edge, but I need a plan on how to approach it calmly because we both see ourselves right in this situation, no matter how wrong we are.

And sleeping sounds better than eating.

“What’s wrong?” Thane says from behind me.

“I think you know what is wrong, Thane.” I start upstairs.

“It’s just a couple of temporary changes, Ayla.” Thane sounds much closer than he would if he stayed in the kitchen.

Because of course he didn’t.

“It is more than a couple and you know it.” I respond.

“You’re right there are a handful of changes, but it is for your safety.” Thane is hot on my heals, a step behind me.

“Mail bombs and food poisoning?” I deadpan as I walk down the hall.

“Don’t pretend like those things aren’t possibilities. We just lived through it.” He reminds me.

“Yes, lived through it. That doesn’t mean I need to live in fear of it.”

“As long as the pack has a traitor, you and the pup are in danger.” Thane growls.

“A traitor. For all we know there could be tens, hundreds, Thane.” I scoff.

“That isn’t helping.” Thane mubles.

“How about this for helping….. NONE of those things were for me…..aimed for me! I was not the target Thane, you were! Why are YOU not on house arrest?”

“House arrest? You’re being dramatic. You can leave with me.”

“Dramatic? You won’t let me eat anything prepared outside of this home!” He doesn’t trust his kitchen staff anymore. I understand, but they made the best cake.

“Poison Ayla.”

“How do you know that somebody wasn’t injecting groceries knowing you were coming.” I gesture toward the stairs.

“Now you’re just speaking nonsense.” Thane rolls his eyes.

“Nonsense is closing down a road to keep others away from me.” I scowl.

“It’s effective. You want another Rhonda situation?” He arches his eyebrow.

“This isn’t about Rhonda, and you know it.” I point at him, growing more irritated by the second.

“You’re right, but closing the road does keep her out.”

“What extremes are YOU doing since YOU are the target.? From what I can see, you have changed nothing for yourself.”

“Ayla, you are mated to me now. That makes you and the pup targets. The ONLY targets I care about!”

“My existence makes us a target! Who you are makes us a target! That will be our lives!”

“Yes, but I will make damn sure you get to live them.”

The heaviness of Thane’s words as he follows me into my nest room can be felt through the bond. Paranoia and fear have a tight grip on him.

“I will not live my entire life with this kind of paranoia Thane. I understand where it is coming from, but I didn’t escape one cage to be put in another.” Thane watches me quietly as I stand in front of my nest, holding my belly protectively.

“I will not get the call that you’re gone, Ayla. I can’t hear that something has happened to you. My job is to keep you safe. I am not going to fail you.”

“You didn’t fail anybody Thane. It is not your fault.”

“Don’t.” Thane whispers.

“You’ve lost your marbles since we went to your parent’s house. I understand why. I’m just telling you that you need to talk to me. Talk to me about these things and don’t just decide for me. I know you feel like your sister getting abducted is your fault but…”

“It is my fault! It is Ayla. She was abducted, ruined, and murdered because of me. Della quite literally rejected her mate which started this chain of events! She rejected him FOR ME. He took my sister BECAUSE OF ME. I won’t be the reason something happens to you. I’m not going to lose you or my pup. I’m going to be prepared.” Thane backs up, tugging his fingers through his hair before he lets himself fall to the wall behind him, sliding to the floor.

Thane brings his knees up and hangs his arms over them. “I felt like it was my fault before. At first it started with the guilt of not being around when she was taken. Then it progressed to not being able to find her. The guilt of not finding her sooner eats me alive. When I read those journals, I was hit with a new type of guilt.” Thane looks down as he holds a few of his fingers in the opposite hand, messing with them.

He is my very large, heartbroken Alpha.

Vulnerable and terrified.

I walk over to my mate and wrap my arms around his head and shoulders as I sink to my knees and pull him close to me. Thane brings his arm up and wraps his hand around my arm and holds me tightly. “The only person that controlled Della’s actions was Della. She was a dumb teenager obsessed with you, but this isn’t her fault either. The only shifter responsible for your sister getting abducted is the traitor themselves.”

I feel Thane’s pain and grief swell within the bond. I push feelings of love and peace down hoping to settle him. “You did not do this Thane. It isn’t your fault. It isn’t your fault.” I repeat.

I feel Thane’s shoulders shake as the reality of the grief he has neglected surfaces, causing him to break down in a silent cry.