Page 51 of Talk About… Dramay
“Yes,” I said with as much confidence as I could manage. Honestly, at the moment my breathing was normal and being surrounded by them had me feeling like I could face anything.
“I’m driving,” Hudson said as he snatched the keys from the entry table and opened the door for me.
The ride across town was quiet. I simply breathed in Roman’s scent and let Lane and Roman’s touches soothe me.
Until I stepped out of the Expedition. Cool wind hit me and I shivered under my sweater. The guys climbed out with me but hung back as I slowly moved around them to reach the sidewalk.
My breath caught at the sight of fairy lights sparkling in the gazebo. Cameron was standing there, looking just as terrified as I felt. His dark hair was longer now, but just as unruly. Hazel eyes glowed under the warm lights twinkling above.
He was bigger than the man I left. Broad. He filled out his leather jacket. I also noticed a motorcycle helmet on the bench. His combat boots were scuffed and his jeans worn.
As the breeze shifted, I nearly whimpered at the assault of his scent. Cypress and bayberry, it reminded me of the forest surrounding home. A mix of sweet and woodsy, all masculine and completely Cameron.
“I’ve waited a long time to tell you how fucking bad you hurt me,” I managed to choke out.
His face crumpled in pain.
“I thought of all the creative ways I’d say ‘fuck you’ to your face,” I continued as he waited, braced to take everything I threw at him.
As my steps led me closer to the gazebo steps, my voice grew stronger.
“You threw me away like I was nothing, just trash. Chased me from my town, my life and future, myfamily.”
He didn’t speak yet, letting me get everything off my chest.
“I didn’t eat, sleep, or even function for fucking months. You bit me then told me you never loved me,” I growled, my omega out for blood now. My hands were curled into fists and body tense enough my muscles ached.
Cameron was almost green now, body shaking and looking seconds from vomiting.
“For months I ran through everything we said to each other, everything I did, and tried to figure out what I did wrong. How I could fail so badly. Then one day I realized it was never me. It was always you. My alpha failed me. And I deserved better.”
“You blocked me, Ori. I tried to reach you,” he said weakly.
“So, you never looked me up? Found my job? I’m fairly sure that was never blocked!” I yelled back, voice wavering with fury and pain. His face paled and I knew I’d hit the nail on the head. “Exactly.”
“What could I even say? That I was too big of a bitch to handle my grief? That there was nothing I could ever do or say to make it better? That the shame made it impossible to function? That I wasn’t worthy of my designation any longer?”
“Yes, you pick up the fucking phone and fight for the omega you wronged. You don’t let thirteen fucking years accumulate between us,” I seethed. “You face your failures and fix them.”
“This isn’t how I wanted this to go,” he muttered more to himself than me. “I don’t want to give you weak excuses and I know you have a pack now.”
His eyes glanced back at the three men behind me. I glanced back to see their stoic faces in a silent wall standing shoulder to shoulder, waiting for me to need them.
“So, that’s it? I have a pack now so you’re giving up and not even bothering?”
He blinked at me in shock. I let it stretch on for a solid minute before deflating, and turning on my heel. If he couldn’t fight for me then I wouldn't stick around any longer.
This was it.
We were doneforever.
“No!” The alpha bark was full of desperation and so full of power my steps froze. I didn’t turn, hell, I was so shocked I could barely move. “I’m not giving up. The peace offering, tonight, was supposed to be me letting you say your piece, before getting on my knees and groveling for you. Explaining that I would do anything to win you back, to court you again as the man I am now, not the man I was then. I’m older now, even if a little jaded and broken.”
My jaw dropped as he fell to his knees, his hands clasped in front of him.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness, Oriana. I haven’t earned that. I’m asking for a chance to try again, to court you properly, and prove I can be the alpha you deserve.”
Tears welled in his eyes. This man who was numb when his dads died, who only cried alone, was baring his soul, on his knees, and begging for me to consider him.