Omega Bound Chapter 41

Ayla

Well, if there was an award given out for the most awkward moments, there would have been one given out in Thane's office. I don't even know where to start wrapping my head around the last 24 hours.

You have a mate.

I want you.

We had a passionate night together. Now I watch as you run off with someone else.

I am confused and consumed with guilt. Especially when I look at Kian. He looks sweet. Boyish. His scent is cinnamon. Not sure how I feel about it. It is not usually complimentary to me in any way, however who am I to argue with the fates. He was kind in the office. A little out of bounds to Thane, but this whole situation is delicate.

Kian leads me out into the hall, and we start walking together to the elevator. He doesn't really pay me any attention and is rather quiet in the elevator. He may be nervous. I know I am full of nerves. I don't have any outward fears for my safety, although I probably should, but Thane would have intervened I think if I was in any danger. Plus, he is one click away which helps. I should probably keep my phone on me in case I need to sneak a message out to him. No, that is paranoia. This shifter is my mate. I think. I owe it to him to talk with him within the best of my abilities.

I gesture for him to sit on my couch after leaving the silence of the longest elevator ride ever.

"This is a nice set up you have here. The smell is, however, are rather amusing." He states with a slight sneer on his face. I instantly feel embarrassed and look away. I didn't think it would be that noticeable.

"It is okay Ayla. You are a beautiful woman. Thane is obviously rather close to you, and he is the alpha. I get it. Any woman would be at his mercy. Fates know that he has bedded hundreds. I wasn't around before, but now I am. You don't have to be embarrassed. I just hope going forward, that the relationship or whatever between you two ends. You are my mate. Not his. I would expect you to conduct yourself as such." His assertiveness takes me by surprise, but I am sure his wolf is probably wrestling for control over smelling another wolf in his mates' room. I would rather not think about Thane with other women though. Not a good start to this conversation.

"I would like to get to know you Ayla. Answer any of your questions, you can answer mine. I would like to show you my bar, my place. All of it, but we have plenty of time." I nodded my head in agreement but looked away. It isn't easy to maintain eye contact with him.

Do you have a computer or notebook or something you can use to talk to me with?" I nod “yes” and run off to retrieve my notepad from the kitchen counter. Returning to the sofa, he is pecking away at his phone, firing off a message. He looks up and smiles, patting the seat next to him for me to sit.

"So, Ayla can you give me a run down. Your name, age family, anything you want me to know. I want to know it all. Whatever you want to give me." I started scribbling away very limited details.

Name: Ayla Frost

Age:24

Birthday: June 17th

Family: Dead

Current events: Freed from a shifter trafficking ring after 10 years. Trust nobody. Unsure of my future.

I like chocolate cake

He reads over my note with a little chuckle. "Well, that is short and sweet, to the point. I guess minus the sweet. Short and heavy then. Chocolate cake? I am not a big sugar eater, but maybe we can get some put on the menu at the bar I own." I nod nonchalantly. Believe it or not, I think I will find it rather difficult to trust someone that doesn't like dessert. How can you not?

"Well, I am the youngest of three brothers, both my parents are alive, they reside in town. I have my own business; I like to hang out with my friends when I am not working. Sports. Nothing too exciting. I am sure you already got most of the important details from the looks of this folder on your table." I am nodding while he is talking, waiting for something. Any moment that mate bond could slide into place and make this less awkward, but it doesn't.

"I heard you are without your wolf. Do you think you will be able to get her back? Not that it matters, I am curious, and I know that my wolf would love to see her." I shrugged my shoulders at him. I am not comfortable telling him anything yet when I can't even decide myself. I write a note and pass it over to him explaining that my wolf was poisoned causing her disconnection.

"Wow. That is terrible Ayla. You really are a survivor. For what it is worth, I am sorry you went through any of that, and I would love to be able to help you reconnect with your wolf. If that is possible." He leans over and places his hand on my knee and squeezes reassuringly. I am not entirely open to his touch at the moment. Kian seems to notice my hesitation, as he quickly removes it.

"Thank you for allowing me to walk you here. Would it be okay if I plug my number into your phone? Then we can talk more and make some plans outside of your rooms when you are up to it. The two of us." I nod and pass him my phone.

"There, I have yours as well." He stands up and heads to the door. Before he leaves, he bends down and places a peck on my cheek. More of a friendly departure rather than anything lustful in nature, which I am happy about. I already got caught up with one shifter at these doors. I am not ready to entangle with another here. He leaves and I watch as he walks to the elevator. Sighing, I shut the door and walk into my bedroom and plant myself face first into my bed. Sleep, come take me because I don't know where to even start.

Turns out I was tired. Three hours later I awoke to a knock on my door. Checking the time, I realize it must be supper, and I should soon start thinking about whether I can start eating in the mess hall. However, when I answer the door and am surprised to see that I am greeted by Thane's whatever she is named Darcy, I think. Or something to that nature.

"Hello Ayla. I don't know if you remember me, Della. We met before. I just wanted to swing by and see how things were going for you. Are you getting settled okay?

I look around briefly out of confusion and nod "yes" to her.

"Oh, that is great. I am glad to hear that. I am looking for Thane. Well, I should say Alpha Thane, but he lets me call him whatever I want. Anyway, he wasn’t answering his phone, so I wanted to see if he was here. It is really important."

I shake my head "no" while she peers into my room and seemingly looks around behind me. I don't think I have done anything to warrant being distrustful with only having one encounter with each other, but whatever.

"Oh, okay. He hasn't been here today? Like, at all?" I hold up one finger and go to retrieve my notebook. She steps into my rooms uninvited, looking around the space. I am not sure why she would think I was hiding him here, but maybe she is used to him trying to avoid her.

Her eyes flare and she looks at me with malice before quickly covering it up with a smile. I scribble on my notepad and pass it to her. "You just came from a meeting in his office? I was just there and nobody answered." I shrug my shoulders, and she turns around and leaves without saying another word. Weird.