The Omega Mated To The Four

Chapter 65

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The Omega: Mated To The Four

Chapter Sixty Five

When Commander Lynne finally released me from my punishment, didn't waste any time. My legs ached, my shoulders screamed, and my pride-thought

battered—remained intact. Ignoring the lingering stares and murmured conversations of the onlookers, I trudged straight to my room. I couldn't deal with their curiosity or their pity. I just wanted to be alone.

The evening dragged on. I sat in my room, staring at the walls, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Anger simmered beneath the surface, mixing with betrayal and an ache I couldn't quite name. Eli's words from earlier-about the lot drawing-still echoed in my mind. It felt like I was some kind of prize, a game piece they'd passed around without a second thought.

A knock at the door startled me. For a moment, I considered ignoring it. But when the voice on the other side called out, my resolve faltered.

"Stormi, it's me," Elijah said, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

I stayed silent, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as I stared at the door.

"Please," he said again, and this time, there was something raw in his tone- regret, maybe even desperation. "Can we talk?"

I debated for a long moment before finally relenting. I stood, crossing the room and pulling the door open just enough to meet his gaze.

"What do you want?" I asked, my tone colder than I intended.

Elijah stepped inside cautiously, his hands raised as though to show he wasn't a threat. His hair was slightly disheveled, and dark circles lined his eyes. It was clear he hadn't been sleeping well.

wanted to explain," he began, his voice steady but soft. "I owe

still folded. "Explain what, exactly? How you and the others

across his features. "It wasn't

bitter scoff, the anger flaring in my chest again. "It sure felt like

his hair, his frustration evident. "I know it looks bad. Hell, it is bad. But it wasn't about reducing you to... to a game or

closer, my voice

looks like."

much to bear. "It was... stupid. I know that now. But you have to

caught off guard by his

continued, his voice earnest. "We were trying to figure out how to handle things without stepping on each other's toes. We didn't want to argue over who got to spend time with you or-" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "The lots were a dumb way to keep the peace. None of us

chest tightening. "And you thought I wouldn't

didn't think at all. We were so focused on trying to navigate this... this bond, we didn't stop to consider how

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Chapter Sixty Five

moment, I didn't know what to say. The sincerity in his voice as disarming, but it wasn't enough to erase the

I finally asked, my voice trembling, "Was that part of your 'game,' too? Some twisted consolation prize for whoever

up, his eyes locking

for any sign of deceit, but all I saw was a taw vulnerability that made my chest ache despite my

voice steady and firm. "What happened between us last night... that was real, Stormi. It wasn't about the lot drawing

did. Do you have any idea what that feels like?

voice laced with regret. "And I spend the rest of

first time, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-fear, maybe. Fear

me.

Stormi,” he said after a long