His neck burns. The spot where his mating mark should be burns the closer Travis got. He is shaking, aching all over, and he knows Travis’ touch would soothe him.
But he is hurt and bleeding. He doesn’t want to repeat his life all over again with the alpha. Not when it led him to lose everything.
And everything was him, Travis. Someone who once awakened him has done it again. 
His fated mate. 
Things have changed. He is a different person now.
But his stupid omega is making a fool out of him by reacting in all the worst ways.
“Don’t,” Day holds his hand out, heart racing. He doesn’t know why this was happening. His body and mind are clashing again, like they always do whenever they do this. “I am not some weak omega who is going to present to you simply because you were once mated to me. I am not going to submit to you. You are not my alpha.”
Gods, how he wishes he could give in just this once. He can already feel the slick trickling down his thighs.
Soiling his jeans.
And going by the way Travis’ pheromones flare, nose twitching, he knows the alpha can smell he is losing the battle.
…
Day can find nothing wrong with his life.
He is now enrolled in university, a whole new life away from his cage, finally growing up and discovering who he is.
Then crosses paths with Travis.
 The alpha who makes him feel like he is being born and dying all at the same time. A thread is pulled every time he locks eyes with him, talks with him ... feels him near him. 
Every time his scent wraps his body like the softest cloud.
With each tug, the life that has been carefully woven and fed to him starts to fall apart. Day realizes he isn’t who he has been told he is, and he was someone different once.
Something else, but it was all taken away.
Travis was taken away, too.
All the scars unravel themselves on his bones, and he is once again breaking apart.

Despite what Day asked of him, Travis didn't leave, not even when the whole gala started to kick off, and he was still seated next to his mate.


Day was feeling fine, but Travis didn't let his eyes wander, or his hand leave his thigh where he had placed it protectively and also in a territorial way.


He looks so beautiful tonight. And fuck, he knows it's not appropriate, not when Day was suffering, but he looks even more beautiful now, when Day's eye makeup is a little smudged, lashes still wet from his tears.


He is the most beautiful omega in the room, and his scent, the jasmine, soft but sharp, is seeping around the whole place, making every alpha turn to seek him out.


Travis has noticed this since they walked in.


He knows who he has beside him is the most coveted: a highborn, a royal, and an untouchable omega.


Chapter 170 - IN COMPANY OF THE PRETTIEST IN THE ROOM