ste

ch up with his words. "I don't know what

own, his hand shooting out to cup my chin. His fingers were

"Don't play dumb, Celeste. There's an unfamiliar scent

primal growl, full o

ly connected the dots, and a wave of

t?" I asked, my

aced by a flicker of confusion. He dropped his hand as if my skin had burn

ted, the word dri

stood up to face him, forcing my voice to stay level. "Yes, a

left food and fresh water there at the same times every morning and evening. I must have left the u

nished, the sneer on his face deepened. "An Omeg

e was mocking my rank, m

Get it out of the house and keep it outside. I don'

licked shut, a fina

cold, but from a rage so pure it felt like fire in my veins

ing into my palms. I wanted to pou

it would

cat curled up behind a basket in the utility room, carried him b

night. A wall of his own making stoo

airs, he was already at the dining table, dressed in a sharp

he used to like it, and simple toast with a

front of him. He

end of the table, sipp

furrowed. He placed the cup down with a sh

offee?" he asked

tened. "I did,"

on his face. "It's terrible. You're wasting your tim

e was so casually cruel, devaluin

t meow drifted in

y toward the glass doors, a

f his shirt. He looked down at me,

uiet, final tone, "I don't want to see or

'll chase it away myself and m

the front door slamming shut behind

at his untouched breakfast. The tears I had