“What would you know about pregnancy?” The prince hissed with a judgmental scowl.
“I-I don’t personally.. but my mother-,” I stuttered to explain as I flushed; wondering if he somehow knew about my condition and was using that hurt me.
“You know what? I can serve myself. You don’t have to put your hands on anything,” the prince interrupted coldly, shoving past me to walk past the mango’s in favor of bananas.
“As you wish, my prince,” I murmured with my head bowed low as my fingers nervously picked at the bandages on my hands from the night before.
Cain mouthed an apology when his mate wasn’t looking but otherwise followed quietly behind his angry omega.
It was official. Prince Fae hated my guts.
I felt my eyes sting with unshed tears but I blinked for a moment and counted to myself so that by the time the another customer arrived, I was back to wearing my cheerful, smiling mask.
Despite my cheerful demeanor, I began to feel so low about myself that I decided to clock out of work early. Something I never did, even when the store was dead, but right now I just couldn’t take another second of faking my smile. I was in agony and I desperately craved a scene with my Master. I’d been publicly shamed and rejected by my prince; sure it was only in front of humans but that still counted to me. Prince Fae didn’t want my help. He didn’t even want me to touch anything he touched. Not to mention, I just stood there stuttering like some kind of idiot. I was horrible at pleasing my prince. He had no use for me, no way I could serve, and I deserved to be punished for it.
Unfortunately, I was sure that wasn’t on the menu for me tonight. I was supposed to be going on a date. I’d promised my Master and he seemed so into the idea of me keeping my clothes on, that I knew I couldn’t ask for what I needed. It would be too selfish of me. I’d nearly lost my Master with how selfish I’d been and I wasn’t willing to risk doing anything that could make me lose him again by turning this night into business as usual. I refused to disappoint him like that. Especially when I’d already disappointed everyone else.
Not to mention, he was sure to abandon me one day anyways. He’d eventually get tired of being my dirty little secret and when I could never commit, he’d probably find a human husband and forget all about me. So no, I wouldn’t ruin tonight. I wanted him to think well of me, just as much as I wanted to enjoy a night of being pursued. I barely ever got to feel that way and I probably wouldn’t get the change again. I couldn’t bare to ruin it. I’d just have to find a way to bare his presence without turning into useless, needy pain slut, as difficult as that would be for me.
I grabbed my backpack and made my way to the store’s public restroom to change for my date. I’d bought another new shirt, though this one wasn’t as nice as the one I’d worn last night. Still, it did match my eyes so I hoped Adam would find me attractive in it and… not a mess. I quickly changed and then critically studied my reflection in the mirror. I sighed, hating that I didn’t look half as good as I had before the milkshake incident last night. I was especially annoyed that my blue dress shirt had several creases in it due to being folded in my bag but there was nothing I could do. I hadn’t wanted to go home before my date because I just knew Liliana would spy on me again and word would get around that I was dressing up for someone or something. No. It was better this way.. but I still hated that I couldn’t put my best foot forward.
Once I was satisfied that my reflection was as good as it was going to get, I left the store, carefully avoiding the prince and his alpha who were on their way out as well, and made my way towards the diner. I didn’t have the car with me today but I didn’t mind the walk. Being out in the fresh air was the only thing, besides scenes with my Master, that gave me peace. I spent the entire walk tuning out my thoughts and the sounds around me without noticing my speed. By the time I reached the back door of the diner, I was panting, my heart was pounding wildly in my chest and my shirt was damp with sweat.
Shit! I hadn’t meant to run. I had only meant to follow my instincts but now I’d gone and made a mess of myself once more. This wasn’t a good sign. I was hopeless and I’d probably ruin the date somehow. I nervously fiddled with my collar as I paced in front of the door, waiting for it to open, before realizing that I should check my phone to see what time it was. I groaned in frustration when I realized that I was half an hour early for my date and I wasn’t even sure if I should go inside to wait. I stepped forward to open the door myself but then I bit my lip, hesitating. What if Adam didn’t want anyone to see me waiting for him in the diner? I wanted us to be a secret.. maybe he felt the same way and if that was the case then, maybe I should just wait out here? But.. how? I never had to think about contacting my Master before. I simply called the scheduler at the dungeon to set up a time to come in. If the meet was a last minute emergency and I had to wait for him, I usually knelt outside his room until my Master was ready for me. However, tonight was different. It was a date and I was technically out in public.
Do it. Kneel, my wolf encouraged, tempting me. You know you need to. Besides, alpha made you beg for him last night. Maybe you should do it again. Don’t you want alpha to be happy with you?
“But we’re outside and there’s still daylight and he didn’t like me kneeling when I was inside. What if this makes him angry?” I protested while my knees buckled, betraying me.
Just do it. Alpha will like it. My wolf insisted.
“He’s not an alpha,” I reminded my wolf, even as I succumbed to his idea and sank down to the pavement. Hopefully, nobody else would see me here. I really didn’t want to cause any trouble; I just wanted my Master.
*******
Adam’s Pov:
Someone pounded on my bedroom door and I looked up from hanging lights for my date with the Benny in annoyance. I’d taken the entire night off, which Drea was sure to tease me about when I asked her to take on a few of my regular clients who still wanted to be seen by someone, despite my absence. Then I spent the afternoon cleaning and getting everything ready for Benny’s arrival. I was just finishing up when the series of knocks sounded again, forcing me to stop so I could answer the door but was surprised by the face I saw on the other side.
“Eric? What’s up? I’m kinda in the middle of something,” I addressed the busboy.
“Yea.. um. Sorry, I know you’re busy but there’s an issue that the boss wants you to take care of.”
“What’s my mom want?” I asked, confused. She knew I had plans soon. In fact, I was expecting Benny to arrive at any moment, as it was already 6:15.
“I want you to remove the young man that is currently on his knees outside my restaurant. Make him come inside or send him away, I don’t care, but fix it. He refuses to move for anyone and has asked for you.” My mother informed me herself as she walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. “You know I don’t like people hanging out back there. Shouldn’t you have told this to your… date?” She asked as she studied me with a glare that was half serious and half teasing.