To ruin an Omega

Chapter 198: Two can tango

CIAN

I looked away immediately. Goddess, I turned my head so fast I felt something in my neck protest. Heat flooded my face. The embarrassment that clawed over me was immediate.

“I am sorry,” I said quickly. “I thought… I thought my mother was here.”

I heard her shuffle. Heard fabric moving and her breathing evening out.

“I will go out,” I added.

“No.” Her voice was steady now. “It is fine. You can turn back now.”

I hesitated. Then slowly turned my head back toward her.

The towel was secured properly now. Tucked tight against her body. She looked composed despite everything.

“Is there a valid reason why you barged into my room,” she asked, “or did you just miss me that much?”

The words landed wrong and made my spine go rigid.

“I thought my mother was here to give you hell,” I said. “I guess I was wrong.”

Then the second part of what she said registered. The joke about missing her. About wanting to see her.

“And please,” I added quickly. “We should not joke like that. I am married.”

Her eyes widened. Just slightly. Like she was surprised by the direction I had taken it. Like I was the one making it weird.

“Well,” she said slowly, “you know my humor. And I am well aware you are married. I am not that desperate.”

I felt heat crawl up the back of my neck. “I apologize.”

“I hear you. I get it.” She crossed her arms loosely over her chest. “But I do not understand why everyone believes my life should revolve around wanting you back.”

I frowned. “What?”

“Your mother was indeed here to go ham on me.”

I rubbed my forehead, feeling the tension building there like pressure behind my eyes. “I apologize.”

“You do not even know what she said.”

“Whatever it is—”

“No.” She cut me off cleanly. “I will tell you exactly what your mother said.”

I waited.

“She practically believes I will ruin your relationship with the new girl.” Madeline’s voice was even. She did not seem angry. “Fia seems lovely but I do not think I have that power.”

She took a few steps closer.

I took a step back instinctively.

Madeline stopped and her gaze sharpened as they dug into the depths of my soul. “I wonder why your mother sees me as a threat.” She paused. “Are you still in love with me, Cian?”

The question hung in the air between us. Then I realized my silence would be sending a different message.

I straightened my posture immediately and looked her directly in the eye.

“No,” I said. “Not anymore.”

She nodded slowly. “You should tell your mother that. You know.”

“I have and I will reiterate.” I took a breath. “Again, I apologize for what happened.”

She gave me a polite smile. “That is fine.”

The silence stretched once more.

“My brother will be visiting,” she said after a moment. “He has something to take from me considering my father does not want me anywhere near him now.”

I caught that. I felt it snag on something in my mind. “What?”

She chuckled. It was low and tired sound. “It is nothing. I have just been practically disowned.”

“What?” The word came out even sharper this time around. “Why would he…”

“Because I helped you.” She said it simply. Like it was obvious. “My coven is not happy about that. And my father’s hand was forced. He has to punish me somehow.”

I walked closer to her. Close enough to see the lines of exhaustion around her eyes. “I am so sorry.”

“It is what it is.”

“I will talk to your father,” I said. “And maybe the heads of your coven. Set this right.”

“You mean threaten.”

I opened my mouth. But then closed it. Because she wasn’t entirely wrong.

She shook her head. “No. Do not worry about it. It is just coven business.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Just tell me when I can leave and I will be out of your hair and facing my business.”

“No.” The word came out firm. “I cannot allow that.”

She looked at me. Really looked at me.

“You know I cannot allow that,” I continued. “What the fuck? Why would your father do this?”

“Mostly, the same reason your mother came.” Her voice softened just slightly. “He believes I am here to do some minor mending. Fix things between us.” She paused. “That and the coven of course is pressuring him. There is a lot even the father supreme cannot overcome. It is the price to pay for holding such a high position in magical dealings.”

Magic.

The word made my brain click at something.

Ophelia. The witch whose head had exploded.

It somehow sort of reminded me of how Madeline was still a suspect. About how I had to psychoanalyse every and anything she was saying.

My mind immediately went through the motions. What could Madeline gain if she was ostracized by her coven?

The answer came unbidden.

Proximity.

Everyone seemed worried that she and I would inadvertently get back together. Madeline could see that staying here would not be viable unless she made it so.

It sounded crazy to consider. Because the Madeline I knew was not like this. She was not manipulative or calculating in that way.

But I had made a promise to question everything odd. And my instincts did not seem like they would be wrong.

“I will get you a place,” I said.

“I am an independent woman.” Her tone was polite but firm. “I will handle it and I am not so comfortable with you handling that. You do not owe me because I saved your mother.”

“I do though.” I kept my voice steady. “And this pack… everyone in it does. They will when I tell them what you have done for us.”

“It is fine.”

I knew what she was gently nudging at. What she was not saying outright but wanted me to offer.

“Then stay here,” I said. “Stay for a while. It is big. It is free. You will be safe and comfortable here.”

She hesitated. Just for a moment. “I should not. Your mother is already bothered and your mate probably does not say it. But I am sure she feels the same way as well.”

“Oh I insist. Fia isn’t like that and I will make sure my mother stops her tirade.”

Madeline seemed to think about it. Her gaze drifted like she was deeply considering it.

Then she smiled once more. “Okay. Only for a month at worst.”

I managed a smile back. “No problem.”

But inside, things were a lot more different. I was measuring every word and every gesture for signs of deception.

Because if Madeline was playing a game, I needed to know. Uncle Gabriel was still a threat to my stability as Alpha.