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.

They have just left the manor, after dinner, which was after a whole day spent talking and getting guidance from Master Wang, and now Travis has asked him for a walk to watch the sunset.


"Somewhere," the alpha says, smiling, and he links their fingers together. "fuck, I am not good at this at all."


"I don't think I am good at this," Travis admits.


He has been on edge since he first came, wondering if he is doing things the right way, if he is being a good alpha to Day, but he knows he has been failing.


"What are you talking about?" Day stops them and looks up at him, frowning.


"I am sorry, Day," he starts. "I am sorry that … I am not an exemplary alpha. I am not a good alpha to you, I am not doing things the right way, I am sorry that I am not easing your worries, making you have a good time, just overall being a good alpha to you-"


"Slow down, baby, what's going on? Where is all this coming from?"


Chapter 183 - YOUR SHRINE, WHERE I LAY MY LOVE AS OFFERING, MY SOUL AS YOURS TO TAKE