Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 110: Milestone (18 years, 3 months)

Liam wiped his face and clutched his shoulder. It still hurt.

Cyrus rubbed the back of the sub's neck. "Get some sleep if you can. There's a blanket in the backseat." He turned up the heater.

Nodding, Liam put his shirt back on and grabbed the blanket. He was such a mess and annoyed he wouldn't stop crying. Cyrus's had marked him. Why? Since when had the dominant liked him. Liam wasn't anything special. He had nothing to offer. A sob escaped him. He turned to face the window so he could hide his face better.

"I'm sorry," whispered Cyrus. "I know this isn't what you want. I just want you to be happy. You didn't want a mate, but goddammit, Liam." He let out a heated breath. "I'm dying over here. I can't take his constant anxiety of not knowing if you're okay."

"So you're messed up like Jesse, now?" muttered Liam, using the blanket to clean his face. "First time, I've heard of it. Just try not to throw up on me."

"I am," stated Cyrus firmly. "Jesse and I are simply different versions of the same thing. I lash out at people. This internal anger comes out and I can't control it."

Liam pressed against the door. "So you're telling me being with you is going to worse than my own pack?"

"No." Cyrus faced the boy and frown. "No, I could never. Not to you." He reached over and clasped Liam's hand. "I want to protect you. I've always just wanted to keep you safe."

Liam pulled his hand away and sunk into his seat. "I don't understand you. You know I wanted to go live with the humans. You knew that but you still did this to me." He clasped his shoulder.

The dominant was silent for a moment. "We both knew you'd never be allowed to leave your pack. Even if you did manage to run away, your alpha would only have to offer a reward and some rogue would track you down and give you back. And even if that bastard didn't come looking for you, an omega rogue is a prime target for hunters trying to get their first kill."

Shifting in his seat, Liam let out a shaky breath. "What know then? We become mates."

Cyrus gripped the steering wheel. "I want to but you're not ready. With my mark, I can keep you from being sent back. Whatever you decided to do, I'll support it."

"Even if I wanted to leave?"

Shaking his head, Cyrus laid his head back. "I won't be able to handle it. I'd break at some point and come after you."

"So I'm stuck. I might as well have stayed with my pack."

"You'd rather be sold by your alpha to anyone with two hundred and fifty bucks on them than be with me?" Cyrus glanced at the boy next to him. "You can't deny that at least with me, no one can hurt you anymore. I know for a fact that will set me off in a second. I'd attack without a second thought."

"You're scaring me," said Liam. "I'm an omega. If someone like you attacked me—" He pressed his knuckles to his lips.

"That will never happen." Cyrus stopped a little too soon at a stop sign and turned in his seat. "Yes, I have aggression issues. Having a sensitive wolf runs in my family. It's what makes Jesse throw up. But mine"—he licked his lips—"it happens when someone threatens my family. I have this overwhelming rush to defend myself and those who are closest to me." He gave Liam a sad expression. "You are the most important person to me. I'd never forgive myself if I hurt you. I've hurt my father and uncle when they have to restrain me when I lose it, but the thought of putting a scratch on you, makes my chest hurt."

"You just bit me."

"To protect you!" Cyrus slammed his fists on the steering wheel. "I want to protect you." He rested his head on his hands. After a moment, he sat up straight. "I think we should take about this more once we get back to Midfield." He turned and started down a new road.