Chapter Seven
The shifters departed, leaving him nursing a second cup of coffee. They had a plan. It wasn't a great plan, but it was better than repeating the same thing they'd been doing over and over for the past four years, with little to show for it.
Hearing a noise from upstairs, he listened carefully, wondering if his mate was awake. The noise came again, low in tone, muffled. It didn't sound purposeful even as he heard Nix shifting across the bed. If he had to guess, he'd say he was in the throes of a nightmare. He hoped the sounds would abate but, if anything, they got worse.
Steeling himself, he climbed the stairs, opening the door of the guest room, and letting the light spill in from the hallway. Nix was tangled in the blankets, whimpering like a puppy. He was mumbling something under his breath.
Orion stepped forward, hand outstretched, ready to wake him.
"Bran… Bran… no!"
Nix woke with a cry, sitting up, eyes wide and unseeing. He went silent, not moving, not even breathing. A moment passed before Nix gasped in a breath, then another. His eyes flicked left and right as if chasing a memory.
"Nix?" Orion called.
The shifter's eyes snapped up to meet his.
"You were dreaming. You're awake now."
Nix seemed to come back to awareness at his words. He rolled his eyes. "Do you always state the obvious or is it just your mate that you talk down to?"
"Do you always act like a brat or is it just when I'm around?" Orion threw back. He continued before Nix could answer. "You know what, forget it. I'm tired. I'm going to bed. Don't leave the house. And stay out of my study."
He got as far as the corridor before Nix's voice followed him.
"Don't you want me to join you?"
He was about to retort, to tear Nix's offer to shreds, but he decided to push a little, see what kind of response he got. So, he stalked back into the room, right up to where Nix sat on the bed.
With an easy shove, he knocked Nix onto his back, then leaned over him, his lips against Nix's neck. Once more, Nix exposed the long line of this throat to Orion. Orion could hear his mate's heart beating in his chest and laid his hand over it, feeling that fast pulse beneath his palm. Turning his head, he flicked his eyes up to Nix's face. Nix was pale, his wide eyes standing out. He was… Orion wasn't sure. Afraid? Disgusted?
Orion growled lower under his breath, feeling Nix's body tense beneath him.
"Don't offer something you're not willing to give."
His words were harsh and unforgiving. Pushing himself up on his arms, he stood and turned. Sleep. He needed some desperately.
As he reached the door, Nix spoke, his words soft. "Alpha, please, I…"
Turning back once more, he saw Nix kneeling on the bed, staring after him.
"There's food in the kitchen if you're hungry," he offered. "Don't wake me."
It was a relief to finally reach his room. Once inside, he closed the door, leaning against it. His body was hyperaware, every sense heightened, every nerve ending wide awake. Because of Nix. Being close to his mate had ignited a flame inside of him. But the look of disgust on Nix's face doused that flame. Was it possible? To have a mate who didn't want you?
He'd always felt like the ugly duckling in his family, the odd one out. He didn't have Thane's strength or Cal's easy charm. He was short-tempered, happy in his own company, and wasn't the most patient person. But he'd always believed his mate would be able to look past all that. Would love him for it or even despite it.
Crossing the room, he shed his clothes and got into bed. He didn't hear any noise from across the hall, suggesting Nix hadn't moved since Orion had walked out. He forced his eyes closed, trying to block out the image of Nix in his head. That look of pleading. But Nix didn't seem to want him. So, what did he want?
Nix took a handful of shuddering breaths, desperate to get himself under control. He was fucking this up. He was supposed to be reeling the Alpha in, gaining his confidence, blinding him to the trap that was being set. He had to do this, to fulfill his purpose. He had to. He didn't want to contemplate the consequences if he didn't. For him, for his family. Should he go to the Alpha's room? Try to convince him otherwise? Or would that just make things worse?
There was the faintest whiff of cooked food in the air and his stomach rumbled. Getting to his feet, he wobbled at first, his balance off. There was a deep ache in his shoulder from his injury. How long would that take to heal?
Stepping out into the corridor, he looked right, towards the Alpha's room, then left towards the stairs. Which way should he go? His stomach rumbled again, answering the question for him. Down he went, his footsteps quiet over the well-worn floorboards. The kitchen tiles were cold underfoot but smooth. An improvement on the rough and muddy floor of his family's home.
He traced the smell of food as far as the grill, opening it to find a plate of cooked bacon and sausage. Whatever Orion was, he wasn't stingy when it came to food. Nix knew better than to be greedy though. He only took a small portion.
Bacon… he hadn't had bacon in who knew how long. Sitting at the table, he took a deep breath, letting the smell of the food whet his appetite further. The first bite was heavenly. Crispy and salty and oh so good. He moaned as he chewed and swallowed before his eyes were drawn upwards to the ceiling. The Alpha probably wouldn't appreciate him making so much noise. Quiet. Quiet was better.
He finished his food in silence, savoring each mouthful. He wished he could share the food with his mother and sister. Meat was scarce on the mountain and few were brave enough to venture off in search of supplies. What meat they had was rabbit or goat. If they hunted in the valley below there were deer sometimes but that was usually used to pay the coyotes.
Sitting back, his stomach pleasantly full, he watched out the window as the sun slowly rose, flickering through the leaves of the trees as a soft breeze blew outside. The memory of the Alpha's hands on him, his breath hot on Nix's neck came full force, distracting him from his lazy reverie. It had been so strange. There was that instinct, that attraction, but of course, Nix knew. Knew what the bear had done. He was a murderer. He killed innocents. The thought sent a wave of nausea through him and he swallowed hard. The disgust and revulsion had crashed over him like a wave as the Alpha pressed against him. He had tried to hide it, to mask his feelings, but he hadn't done a good enough job. Some of it had bled through.
Taking a few slow breaths, he pushed aside the thoughts and feelings that threatened to overwhelm him. He would keep his promise. He would keep the Alpha distracted until the trap was sprung.