Chapter 43
(TYLER)
Hours later we are on our way to the funeral. I’m too embarrassed to even look Sasha in the eye. I still don’t know how I went from refusing his mark to begging him to fuck me, to breed and own me. I still don’t know what came over me. The minute our bodies touched, a fever-like insanity took over. I felt like I could die if he didn’t fuck me.
Unfortunately for me, I have to ride with Sasha, Lucia and Jericho in the family’s limousine now that I’m his omega. My face is hot and I try to avoid Sasha as much as I can. I don’t speak unless he talks to me. How can he be this calm? I guess for me the throbbing pain on my neck serves as a stark reminder of what happened between us earlier. The bleeding took quite some work to stop. I hope it doesn’t bleed again and stain my shirt.
The fleet of limousines park around the road that leads to the cemetery. The cemetery looks aged and has statues of angels and ancient tombstones. The grounds look beautiful, except for the fact that it is a cemetery. Our limousine parks in one of the grassy courtyards and we exit the vehicle.
A loud, lively group of people swarm us immediately. There’s so much hugging and tearful laughter that I begin to feel claustrophobic. I’m not sure what to do, so I stick close to Sasha. I draw on his confidence and strength.
A blonde alpha walks over to me and offers his hand. “Hi, I’m Marco. Lucia is my sister.” He smiles at me. “Welcome to the family. I can’t believe Sasha got married without throwing a massive wedding. Me and my family, we love weddings p>
“Oh I say, not sure of what to tell him after his high-spirited speech.
Lucky for me, Sasha steps in. “Father’s health was critical at the moment. We weren’t able to plan a big wedding p>
“Alright, Sure.” Marco nods. “Makes sense. Maybe you can plan to have a reception another time. Your wedding should be celebrated. What do you think we get the families all together? It will be fun, right p>
“I know.” Sasha smiles. “But you’ll be seeing more than enough of us for the next few days.” He quirks a brow. “You’re staying, right p>
“Yes. Riley and Chase are very excited about visiting. They’re asleep in the car now. Their nanny is watching over them until the ceremony starts p>
“I’m dying to meet them.” I smile.
“I’m sure they’ll be thrilled to meet you too.” Marco smiles. “they’re happy Sasha finally got to claim an omega. Be warned though, those little devils can be a handful p>
A smile tugs at my lips. I can’t help liking Marco. He’s just as warm as his sister.
Marco moves closer to me, and his lips tug into a wry grin. “So, tell me when do you two intend to start a family p>
His question makes me choke on my own saliva. Sasha puts his hand on my back. “We got plenty of time for that p>
The feel of his hand brushing my back lightly feels comforting, but also makes my stomach do that weird somersault thing. I’m growing to like his touch which in truth is a very, very dangerous development. When I don’t step away, Sasha’s hands find their way to the nape of my neck and he begins to trace it. Why do I feel funny when he touches me? Is it because of this goddamn bite on my neck? I don’t know. For whatever reason, my knees wobble as his fingertips graze my skin. I tremble, and he lets out a husky chuckle.
This fucker knows he’s making me nervous. That he’s having an effect on me.
For a stretch, Sasha and Marco talk about the family. I take pleasure in my alpha’s touch. If you told me earlier today that’d relax and submit while my alpha petted me like this, I’d have straight out laughed at your face.
His bite is doing things to me. I know it.
When the interactions and hellos are out of the way, the funeral director leads us to the gravesite. The mood is now sombre. Mother cries and hugs Jericho. The breeze is cool, making it seem like it’s actually a beautiful day when it isn’t. The priest reads a verse and Lucia sobs hard.
The time comes for Lucia to put flowers on her husband’s coffin. She loses her self-control and breaks down. Sasha and his brother try to comfort her, but she seems to have lost it. She is inconsolable and my heart breaks for her. It must be a horrible feeling to lose the love of her life. But I wouldn’t know that because I have never been in love. Have I?
I study Sasha as he implores his mother. He is speaking to her softly and the sight of it warms my heart. I saw the same tenderness directed to me earlier today when we had sex. The memories of our moments then linger. I remember how he sank his teeth in my throat and a shudder ripples through me. Of course, it was a horrible mistake to get intimate with him, but then who is to blame? I pushed him to tuck me. He did try to restrain his urges, but I made it impossible for him.
Sasha’s different personalities perplex me. One minute he’s threatening to cut my tongue out, the next he’s being really sweet and comforting me. At first, all he did was blackmail and threaten me, but after sleeping with him, my emotions seem muddled. I have to remember that the vile side of him is the real Sasha. I shouldn’t care that he is indeed capable of kindness. I know deep down that isn’t him. He is a ruthless, barbaric vile monster and I have to remember that every time I deal with him. I can’t afford to undermine his cruelty now.
Once Sasha and Jericho manage to calm down their mother, the sermon continues. There’s a massive crowd at the grave site, which only points to one thing. Sasha’s father was a respectable man. Some might even say loved. I heard Jericho say earlier that all the syndicates came to pay their last respects.
They are on their best behaviour now, but I know certainly that that’s just for show. I know this is all a façade and these men look nothing close to what they’re trying to show here. They are a vile-looking bunch. I study their faces keenly as they stand with their heads bowed. I don’t think I’d want to meet any of them in an alley.
When the sermon is over, Jericho and Sasha work the crowd. They go around speaking to as many people as they can. It baffles me how controlled Sasha looks as he speaks to the people. He is as stoic as ever and doesn’t look the least bit fazed by his father’s passing. Then I remember his intense breakdown last night. It’s nothing to glee about, but when I remember I’m one of the few people he lets see him in that state, I’m filled with a sense of pride.