by Kelex
“Why are you wearing those things? I told you to try the corrective lenses. You look like a bookworm.”
“I am a bookworm.”
“Oh gods,” Titian muttered. “You’re never going to find an omega.”
“Is that so bad?”
Titian gasped. “It is!”
“What? That I don’t want a money-grubbing omega?” Not that he’d have much of a choice if he came face to face with the mate fate handed him. But if he kept the gold-diggers far enough away, perhaps he’d luck out and end up not linked to one.
“Money-grubbing?” Titian sighed. “Brother, we aren’t allowed to work. Omegas have a role to play… we are the life-bringer. What we seek in an alpha is… a provider. You must play that role for your family, so of course, they’re looking for someone who can take care of them and their young. Someone of means, able to ensure their children would have every chance in life.”
“I’ll have enough to care for a small family when the time comes.”
Titian shook his head. “I swear, you’re a lost cause.” His head perked up as a hand waved above the crowd. His brother waved back, a wide smile crossing his face. “Excuse me a moment. I see a friend I haven’t spoken to in some time. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Go… don’t worry about me.” Beckett scanned the crowd again and saw most of the omegas weren’t paying him a bit of attention. Smiling, he considered himself lucky.
Once Titian was out of sight, he made his way to a long banquet table. At one end was a huge punch bowl and cups. Littered along the length were other small finger foods, bite-sized desserts, and more gaudy decorations, enough to make his eyes bleed. He poured himself a drink and nabbed a small appetizer, popping it into his mouth.
Music began to play, and a shriek of delight came from where most of the omegas had congregated together. Beckett turned and saw bodies begin to move to the music, as did a few of the lights.
“I see you couldn’t stop them from sucking you in, too?”
Beckett lifted his head to see Rohan Parker standing nearby, pouring himself a cup of the punch.
“No,” he said, chuckling. “I finally gave in to my papa and agreed to come to one of these things.”
Rohan smiled, taking a drink. He cringed. “My gods, that’s sweet.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flask. After he added a shot to his punch, he offered to add some to Beckett’s.
“Please,” Beckett said, offering his cup.
Rohan poured the drink before turning to look at the crowd dancing and then pocketing his flask. Beckett spun the cup around to mix the alcohol in some and took another drink. Better.
“Is this your first one, too?”
Rohan shook his head. “Third.” He took a sip from his cup. “And something tells me I won’t find what I’m looking for here, either.”
“How can you know that? It’s only been a few minutes.”
“My father once told me that he’d felt this… something. A thrumming… he didn’t know quite how to explain it. But the minute he walked into the ballroom where he met my papa, he knew. He simply knew.” Rohan sighed, and Beckett’s stare went to the dark stranger across the room hiding, for some reason. “I’ve yet to feel it.”
Beckett recalled that slight tremor and wondered if that had been his something. His stare drifted across the room to the darkened corner. He could barely see the lone man there, more just an outline… but he felt drawn for some reason. Ignoring the direction his mind was going, he turned to Rohan. “How’s work going?”
“The Public Defender’s Office is abysmal. I was excited at the thought of helping those in need, but the backlog of cases is so thick that I barely have more than a few moments to read through a file before I’m shoved in front of a judge, trying to plead the case I’m woefully unprepared for. I have more work than I could ever handle.” He shook his head. “I have no business even being here. I’ve got twenty files I brought home to read through tonight.”
“Well, if you haven’t sensed that something, perhaps your time would be better served at home,” Beckett said.
“I promised my parents I’d give this at least an hour. Once that’s over, it’s takeout and case files for me.” Rohan looked at his watch and lifted his stare. “Forty-five minutes left.”
Beckett smiled. “Then maybe you should mingle a little and not sit here talking to me all night, hmm?” His stare went to his mysterious stranger again.
“You’re right. I’m going in,” Rohan said. He downed what was in his cup before heading toward the dance floor. He turned midway there and offered Beckett a salute.
Beckett drained the rest of his liquor-infused punch and poured himself another from the bowl. After pouring one more, he headed for the shadows, to solve a little mystery.
* * * *
Tulla stiffened as he watched the alpha he’d been eyeing all night start heading his way. He was alone in his corner, so there was no one else the man could be heading toward. He brushed something from his lap, trying not to look as if he was paying any attention, even as his heartbeat grew more rapid and his breathing strained.
Tingles of electricity raced over his flesh, leaving goose bumps in their wake. Every nerve in his body was on fire, and he felt like jumping up and twirling fast just to cool himself off.
“Hi.”
Tulla lifted his stare to the man, now draped in as much shadow as he. He’d been able to see some from across the ballroom, but not in fine detail. Closer wasn’t much better without the light to aid him. “Hello.”
“I thought you might be thirsty.” The alpha lifted a cup. “I brought you a drink.”
He took a deep breath before lifting his hands, fearful there would be a tremor. Finally, he reached for the cup. The alpha moved it forward, and it splashed some as it knocked into his hand.
“Damn, I’m sorry,” the alpha said before taking it back a bit. “I didn’t mean to make a mess.”
“It’s fine.” Fortunately, Tulla had a napkin in one hand, a leftover from his stroll along the refreshments earlier that night. He wiped the wetness away… and then lifted his hand to lick some of the stickier bits from his fingers.
And he heard the alpha’s deep inhale.
Tulla’s stare went to the man’s, but in the dark it was hard to see any emotion… yet he could feel it. He was being watched as he cleaned his hand… and for some insane reason, he liked being watched. Dropping his hand, he cleaned the last of it with the napkin.
“Should we try that again?” the alpha asked, lifting the cup once more.
“Don’t move,” Tulla instructed before taking what was left in the cup. His fingers brushed against the alpha’s, and he felt heat leeching into him. It raced up his arm and hit him straight in the chest.
Want. A drop of slick eased from him, coating his puckered hole.
He could barely breathe from the desire pooling low in his belly.
“Do you mind if I sit for a moment?”
Tulla shook his head before lifting the cup to his lips. He was parched, his mouth as dry as a desert. Thankfully, his knight in shining armor had brought him something to drink.
“You’ve been hiding here in the shadows all night. Are you afraid to show your face?”
Tulla heard the joking tone to the man’s voice and decided to run with it. “I am. I’m ugly. The ugliest omega here.”
“Ah, I see. I’m nothing to look at myself, either.”
A lie. Even from across the room, Tulla had been able to tell he was handsome. And vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t come up with a name or memory of meeting the guy. “No, you’re not all that, are you?”
The alpha chuckled and pushed his glasses up on his nose. The way he did it was endearing somehow. Most alphas he’d seen at the balls he’d attended were all about exuding power and strength. Not showing weakness. The willingness to show a small flaw spoke volumes. And Tulla thought he could continue looking at the man push those glasses up that regal nose for
the rest of his years.
What the hell am I thinking?
“I suppose that means you’ve been watching me tonight, if you noticed how unattractive I am.”
Tulla fought a smile. “How could I ignore you? You’ve been staring over here all night.”
The alpha turned his head toward Tulla. “I kept thinking how lucky you were to have this dark corner all to yourself… and how much I wished I was home right now instead of here.”
“Why did you come, then?”
“My parents have been nagging me about finding a mate. So, I decided I’d at least put on a show of it. My cat can live without me for one night, right?”
Tulla grinned. A cat? A very non-alpha pet. “He might be glad to be rid of you for the evening.”
“Probably is,” the alpha replied, and Tulla could hear the smile on his lips. “But then, there’s no one there to give him rubs and food, so he might end up missing me after all.”
“You hope so, hmm?”
“I do. He’s the only thing willing to look at this ugly mug of mine for any length of time.”
“I’m glad you found someone willing to endure that hardship.”
“Seriously. I’ve already been informed I’m a bad match by a few omegas here tonight.”
Tulla perked up a little, curious if he was joking or serious. “Oh really? Do tell.”
“Seems I’m not rich enough for them. I run a non-profit and only take enough salary to cover my expenses… and nothing more. Apparently, I’m not a good provider.”
“Omegas can be a greedy lot. But not all of them are like that.”
He tilted his head Tulla’s way. “How about you? Which camp do you reside in?”
“As long as there’s a safe roof over my head, food in my belly, and my needs are met, I suppose I would be happy.” He thought back to his little cell of a room and how happy he was to be there. Tulla didn’t need a mansion to find peace.
The alpha leaned back in his chair some, eyeing Tulla a few seconds before speaking. “That’s good to hear.” He paused, coughing. “Of course, just for general purposes. To know not all omegas are gold-diggers. Not that I’m suggesting anything.”
Tulla grinned wildly, unable to stop. “Of course.” He felt a wave of longing race through him. The alpha was a huge guy… all long arms and legs… taking up a lot of room. Beside the man, he felt very small, but then he was omega. Omegas were usually a good half-foot shorter than alphas, if not more.
He’d always hated feeling smaller than others and having their height used as intimidation. With this alpha, he didn’t feel that.
Tulla felt safe.
“Not that it really matters,” the alpha continued. “I doubt I’ll ever find an omega for me.”
“Oh, why’s that?”
“I’m not the typical alpha.”
Duh. “How so?”
The alpha took off his glasses. “I read. A lot. Histories, mostly. The occasional fantasy novel.” He pressed his glasses up his nose. “So much so that I ended up having to get these.”
It was unusual for an alpha to wear glasses before he was of an older age. Tulla didn’t mind it. It made the guy look distinguished. And if he’d done it reading, it meant he was bright. Smart men were infinitely sexier. But he was right. Alphas seemed to read what they needed and little more. Reading for pleasure seemed to be a habit found more often in omegas.
“Like I said, I work for a non-profit, helping low-income families find good housing… or having it built… and I commit a lot of time and energy to that. And money, of course. I’m always seeking donations to the program. When I do get downtime, I like being home. Relaxing.”
“With your cat and your books.”
The alpha nodded. “With my cat and my books. Add in the fact I can be messy, I hog all the blankets… and I actually like kisna music… and I’m just a loss cause. ”
“A lost cause… yes,” Tulla added. “Kisna music? Seriously? That might just be the nail in the coffin right there.”
“I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I like it. It relaxes me.” He turned to look at Tulla. “And what do you like to do?”
“Oh, I have bad, bad habits, too. Mouthing off to my parents and living off their dime as I do my damnedest to avoid finding an alpha for as long as possible. And I’ve been told I snore.”
“Terrible habits, indeed.”
“They are,” Tulla admitted. “That and my adoration of kisna music.”
A weighted silence filled in between them, heavy with desire.
“That does it. We’re no good for anyone else and should just remain alone forever,” his stranger murmured.
Tulla wanted to agree. He wanted to be alone, but he couldn’t ignore the racing of his heart or the need gripping his body. The thought of being alone after the awakening he now felt… was wrong. He struggled to get enough air into his lungs. “Suddenly… the thought of being alone no longer sits so well with me. And I have you to blame for it.”
The alpha turned his head in Tulla’s direction. “I’m sorry. I didn’t have any intentions of being blamed for any bad behavior tonight. But I think I could say the same about you, as well.”
“I suppose so.”
The alpha grinned, and Tulla could feel his body responding to the man’s charm.
“Then perhaps we should both be glad… instead of considering it our misfortune,” the man said, his voice low and heavy with lust. Tulla felt a ripe of desire wash through him at the sound. More of his slick eased from him and he heard the hint of an answering growl from the alpha. He felt that growl down to his very toes. “Or should we ignore this spark I feel being at your side and simply walk away?”
Walk away? Impossible.
Tulla’s skin was on fire. He wanted, with a desperation he’d never known. If he could claw his clothing off, rending it from his body, he would. He wanted to bow down and raise his ass, begging the alpha to fill him.
Yet this was the one thing he’d fought against all the years in captivity. This want was simply chemistry, as he’d argued with his papa. Would he yield so easily now? Ignoring the basest of needs within, Tulla drew his gaze away, needing a moment of clarity.
He got it in the image of Titian Montgomery stalking his way.
“There you are, brother,” Titian snapped, eyeing the alpha a moment. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Tulla’s head whipped to the alpha, suddenly realizing he knew this man. Had known him. Titian had several alpha brothers…
It had been years… they’d probably grown up in the FQ together. Titian had been in his grade. And he’d utterly hated the omega. The emotion was shared, given the look of utter distaste on Titian’s face. he glared Tulla’s way, an ugly look to an otherwise handsome face.
“Come, Beckett,” Titian said, offering a hand. “I have some people I’d like to introduce you to.”
Beckett Montgomery? Tulla gasped, shocked. The last time he’d seen Beckett, he’d been thin as a rail, with ears, eyes, hands, and feet that were too big for his body.
The fight. It rushed to his mind, the look of anger in Beckett’s eyes as he’d gazed up at Tulla. Memories of that day assailed him.
“I’m fine right here,” Beckett drawled, before tilting his head and offering a smile Tulla could barely see, yet felt bone deep. He spoke to Titian again, this time never taking his gaze from Tulla. It burned over his skin. “Go on and enjoy your night with your friends, Titian. I have someone I wish to know better.”
“You have got to be kidding me. Please tell me this isn’t what I think it is,” Titian snapped.
Beckett frowned and turned back to Titian. “I don’t know what you think it is… but I plan to sit here and continue my conversation with my new friend.”
Tulla shook his head, knowing Titian would be a thorn in his side forevermore. “I think what your brother means is we know one another.”
Beckett turned toward him. “We do?”
“I
didn’t recognize you. Not in the dark. Plus, you’ve changed a lot in the eight years since I left the FQ.” He thrust a hand forward, wondering how the alpha would react. “Amantulla Berringer.”
A low gasp came from Beckett.
Silence followed.
Beckett had hated him after that fight. He’d never spoken another word to Tulla. Until now.
After a pause, the alpha lifted his hand to Tulla’s and captured it in his large palm. Heat flooded Tulla’s body, and he heard an answering growl from Beckett.
In a matter of seconds, he was yanked to his feet and drawn into Beckett’s arms.
“Let’s dance,” Beckett whispered huskily in his ear.
Tulla could only let the alpha carry him away to the dancefloor. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at the look left on Titian’s face in their wake. As soon as they found themselves within the crowd of dancing bodies, Beckett spun and dragged him closer. His scent had grown muskier, it seemed, and it filled Tulla’s nose. One finger lifted his chin to gaze up at the alpha, just as one of the strobe lights crossed them both.
He got his first real glimpse of the man. The rail thin teenager with too big everything was now a gorgeous alpha who’d filled out in all the right places. Tulla’s mouth grew drier as he stared up into the face he might end up looking at forever.
Beckett’s eyes widened before a slight smile came to his lips. He lowered his lips and spoke against Tulla’s ear, to be heard above the music. “Well it seems my little stranger hiding in the dark was no stranger at all, hmm, Tulla?”
Tulla could’ve moaned at the way Beckett said his name. He rose on his tiptoes to murmur a response in Beckett’s ear. “From what I recall, you didn’t like me very much. Not after our last encounter.”
Beckett pressed a kiss to Tulla’s earlobe. “I was an embarrassed boy who couldn’t forgive you for shaming me. Thankfully, I’m no longer a boy…” His warm breath spread along Tulla’s ear and neck, making it harder to concentrate. “I’m a man. A man who now begs your forgiveness. A man willing to do anything to get it.”
More of Tulla’s slick eased from him, and he trembled against the alpha, completely lost to the overpowering emotions compromising him.