Chapter Thirty-one
Our first Sunday after sending so many people home was okay. I could tell everyone was worried, but I tried my best to assure them that it was for the best. That it allows me to spend time with people I can really see being a part of my pack. I still think a lot of them were feeling uneasy, but since Koda and I will be going on a date with all of them this week, hopefully we’ll be able to reassure them.
Tonight’s our date with Alejandro, and I let Koda plan this week’s dates. I’ll admit that it’s kind of nice not having to worry about setting everything up, but I’m also curious to see what he’s come up with for us. All he would tell me is that we’re going to be eating and that he has something special planned.
With no details on what the plan is for the night, I’m wearing a strapless teal maxi dress and a pair of flats. I have a white crop button-up sweater in case we end up being outside since it’s already growing dark out. I don’t know why he planned such a late date for us, but I’m starving. It’s nearly seven when I’m meant to meet both Koda and Alejandro by the front door. Koda wouldn’t even get ready with me in my suite tonight.
He’s being such a weirdo about this, and I don’t know why.
Realizing I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, I head for the door. There’s no point staying in my room wondering what we’ll be doing. I can do that just as well in the entryway, and with any luck, the two of them will be ready early as well.
Stepping into the hallway, I see both of them waiting for me. I guess luck is on my side.
“Hey,” I call out, both of them spinning to smile at me, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
They’re both so gorgeous. Alejandro in all his clean-cut glory, wearing white chinos and an untucked blue button-down shirt that looks amazing against his skin tone. His hair is perfectly messy as always, and the look in his eyes has heat flaring low in my belly. Not only does he look good enough to eat, but he looks like he’d like to do nothing more than eat me.
Yes, please.
I bite back my snort as I focus my attention on Koda. He’s wearing a pair of distressed black skinny jeans and a white Henley with the sleeves rolled up, the buttons open to reveal his tattooed chest. A leather jacket lays across his arms as he checks me out from head to toe. He licks his lips as his eyes meet mine, and it takes all my willpower to not climb him like a tree.
Clearing my throat, I force myself to keep walking over to the two of them. “You both look gorgeous.”
“Not nearly as gorgeous as you do,” Alejandro says as he lifts my hand to his lips.
“Says the model.” Koda rolls his eyes but continues to grin. “Are the two of you excited to find out what I have planned for our date?”
“I guess.” Rolling my eyes, I wrinkle my nose. “It’s hard to be excited for something when you give me zero information, but I’m excited to be going out with the two of you. That counts, right?”
Alejandro laughs as he throws his arm over my shoulder. “Definitely counts in my books. If it makes you feel any better, he wouldn’t tell me anything either.”
“Yeah, but you’re not bonded to him—I am.” Sticking my tongue out at Alejandro, I laugh at his mock hurt face. He throws the door open and escorts me out, leaving Koda to trail behind us.
Koda huffs, moving up to Alejandro’s other side as soon as we’re out the door. “Don’t forget about me. I’m on this date, too.”
“Of course you are.” I snicker as he grabs Alejandro’s hand in his.
“Well, I really am the lucky one tonight, aren’t I?” Alejandro chuckles, leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead. “Two omegas fighting over my attention? I never thought I’d see the day.”
I snort. “You’re not going to see that day today either. There will be no fighting over you.”
“Says you.” Koda sticks his tongue out at me. “I might get jealous.”
I shake my head, managing to not roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Are you sure you don’t want to tell us what we’re doing tonight?”
“Well, right now, we’re going to eat.” When I lift my eyebrows expectantly, he laughs. “That’s all you’re getting out of me.”
“Hey, Lucas. I’m surprised that Reginald and Tyler let you out this late in the night.” I grin as Lucas helps me into the SUV.
He scoffs. “It’s seven o’clock at night. I’ve worked plenty later than this. Let’s not start out the night with you being a brat, yeah?”
“I think it’s too late for that, boss,” Mike calls over his shoulder from the driver’s seat, shooting me a wink as I get settled.
“You’re right. It definitely is.”
Alejandro climbs in, slotting into the middle seat with Koda on his other side before Lucas closes the door. The three of us chat quietly as we head into town. I’m pleasantly surprised when I find that we’re having a hibachi dinner. It’s been entirely too long since I’ve had good hibachi. We have an amazing cook who does all kinds of tricks for us while he’s cooking our food. When we’re done, I’m so full I’m surprised I’m not in a food coma.
“That was fun. Now we can go home and take a nap, right?” I ask as Koda helps me into the SUV. I squeal when his hand comes down on my ass hard. “What was that for?”
“For acting like we’re going back to the compound after eating. What kind of loser do you think I am that I’d only plan for dinner?” Koda shakes his head as he climbs in behind me.
I cross my arms over my chest, trying my best not to pout. “Who plans hibachi before anything else? No one wants to do anything after they’ve shoved themselves full of hibachi.”
“You’re being a brat again,” Lucas sings as he turns around in his seat and Alejandro pulls the back door shut behind him.
I wave my finger in his direction. “You turn your butt back around. You’re not on this date. I don’t want any of your lip.”
I know Lucas and Mike are here to be my bodyguards or whatever, but I never feel like they’re actually honing in on any of my dates. None of the guys that work for Lucas seem to. Sure, they’ll banter with us when we’re in the car, but beyond that, they all blend into the background and leave us to enjoy our dates. I wish we didn’t need them here, but if anything ever happens, I know I’ll be glad they’re with us.
As Mike pulls the car away from the curb, I try my best to weasel information from Koda, but he remains close lipped.
It isn’t long before we’re pulling up to a nondescript building with no signs marking where we are. “You didn’t bring us here to murder us, did you? Because I don’t think Mike and Lucas are allowed to let that happen.”
“Oh, yeah, I lured you out with cameras following us around to murder you.” Koda shakes his head as he reaches over me to open the door. “Get the hell out of the car so we can get on with this date.”
“Bossy much?”
Alejandro’s laughter has me turning to the alpha, who I’d honestly forgotten was with us. Damn. How did that happen?
“I like watching the two of you together,” he says quietly. “Even before you bonded, it was clear that’s where you were headed. Watching the two of you together now is even better.”
I don’t know why, but that causes me to blush as I duck out of the car and head up to the building, leaving Koda to deal with Alejandro’s words. It’s what he deserves after not giving me any information about the date. I guess that’s what I get for letting him be the one to plan the dates this week, huh?
It doesn’t take long for the two of them to join me, Alejandro reaching out to take both of our hands as Koda leads us up to the front door. As we step inside, there still aren’t any signs to give us a hint as to what we’ll be doing, but there is a reception desk with a cute beta woman sitting behind it.
“Hello! I’m Tara. You must be Koda, Evangeline, and Alejandro?” At our nods, she jumps to her feet. “Excellent. Your crew is already set up in your room. Do you have any questions for me?”
“Yes, what the hell is this place?” I ask as we follow her down the hallway.
“Oh, well we’re a—“
“It’s a surprise, babe. Stop fishing for hints. You’ll know in just a minute what we’re doing.” Koda shakes his head at me. “Sorry, Tara. Apparently, she’s not very good with surprises.”
Tara laughs as she glances at us over her shoulder. “That’s quite alright. I’m not a big fan of them either, so I understand.” She comes to a stop outside a door with a smile. “The good news is your wait is over. You have the room for up to two hours. You won’t be disturbed, but if you need anything while you’re in there, just hit the red button by the door. The intercom will call the front desk, and I’ll get you whatever you need.”
With that, she spins on her heel and heads back the way we came. I reach for the door, but Koda bats my hand away.
“I’m going to need to teach you about patience,” he says with a snort. “Are you ready?”
Alejandro nods. “Sure am, and I’m pretty sure if you don’t open that door right now, Evangeline is going to kill you.”
Koda rolls his eyes but throws the door open and steps inside, Alejandro and I just a step behind him. I look around the “room,” as Tara called it, but it really looks like a warehouse. The floors are concrete and it seems to be filled with junk. There’s even a car sitting in one corner. What is this place?
My eyes catch on one of the walls filled with baseball bats, crowbars, hammers, wrenches, and some things I don’t even recognize. I’m so confused.
“A rage room? Hell, yes!” Alejandro holds his hand up for Koda to slap, and it sinks in what we’re here for.
“I get to beat the hell out of things?” I ask, trying to keep the eagerness from my voice.
Koda nods. “I figured you could use it after the past week.”
I squeal, running for the wall with the weapons, reaching for a sledgehammer. A hand on my arm stops me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see it’s Alejandro. “Yes?”
“I just want to pull it down for you. Well first, I want to see which is the lightest. Sledgehammers can weigh like twenty pounds, and if you get one that heavy, your arms are going to give out on you before you’re ready to be done for the night.”
I grin up at him. “That’s so sweet.”
Without second-guessing myself, I lean over and kiss him. I only mean for it to be a quick kiss, but when his hands land on my hips, and he pulls me against his body, I realize it’s not going to be. I moan into his mouth as his tongue tangles with mine. I wrap my arms around his neck, trying to get even closer to him, the sledgehammer long since forgotten.
“Hmmm…someone better let me in on this kiss,” Koda murmurs, his lips almost brushing my ear.
I blink as I break the kiss, but don’t move away from Alejandro. I turn my head to offer my lips to Koda, but he’s already leaning over my shoulder and meeting Alejandro’s. I bite my lip as I watch the two of them kiss, squirming as heat washes over me. I don’t know what it is about watching two men kiss, but it’s hot as hell.
I could watch them all night, but they pull back entirely too soon, by my account. Before I can protest, Koda is kissing me. I’m surrounded by both men, whose hard cocks are pressed against my front and back. I shiver when Alejandro’s lips trail over my neck.
When Koda pulls away, I chase his lips as a whimper falls from me. He runs a finger down my nose. “As much as I’d love to continue this.” He glances at Alejandro. “As we’d like to continue this, it’s probably not the best place to do it. Especially with Lucas over there in the corner.”
My face heats as I duck my head, extracting myself from their hold. “Uh, right. So, about that sledgehammer.”
Alejandro nods, a smirk on his lips. “Yeah, Evangeline, I’ll get you the sledgehammer, and we’ll continue this later.”
Yes, please.
I practically melt onto the floor then and there before shaking my head. When he lays the sledgehammer in my hands, a thrill runs through me at the idea of using it to destroy something. Koda was right. This is exactly what I need.
“Babe?” Koda’s voice causes me to jump as I spin around to face him.
“Yes?”
Koda snickers. “You were lost in your head there for a moment. Lillian and Natalie are here. Are you ready?”
“Oh, right. Yes.” Glancing down at my blue jeans, black corset top, and heeled ankle boots, I reach for my jacket before following him to the sitting room where the beta women are waiting for us. “Hey, you two. Thanks for joining us! Koda actually told me what we’re doing tonight, and I’m so excited.”
“I just didn’t want a repeat of last night.” Koda laughs, dodging my hand as I swat at him. “I didn’t want the two of you to have to deal with the whiny omega.”
I scoff. “I wasn’t whiny.”
“Sure, you weren’t.” Koda offers his arm to Lillian, which she takes with a smile before the two of them head for the door.
“I guess that leaves me as your escort?” Natalie offers me her arm with a hopeful look. I slide my arm through hers as she lets out a sigh of relief.
I huff out a laugh. “Don’t look so scared, Nat. You’ll give me a complex.”
She shrugs as we leave behind my suite and follow the other two out the front door. “I wasn’t really sure where we stood. I know you gave me and Ronan lavender roses at the ceremony, but I thought it was because you didn’t want to split us up. Then you told me I’d be the only one joining you, Koda, and Lillian, and I wasn’t sure what that meant. I guess I just don’t know how to act. I know you’re mad at me—“
“I’m not mad. I was never mad. I was annoyed that you put yourself in harm’s way, and I was worried that maybe you’d been lying to me.” I shake my head. “You never gave me a reason to think that, but childhood trauma is hard to overcome, isn’t it?”
Natalie’s smile is sad as she nods. “Luckily, I didn’t have any of that, but I’ve seen enough of it working in the ED. Or I’ve seen what happens just after the trauma, or years after the trauma. What I mean is I get it. Do you still doubt me?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I bite my lip as I slow my steps until we come to a stop about twenty feet from the SUV. “I’m sorry that I reacted so badly. It was very brave, though stupid, what you did. We would’ve figured out what Viktor was up to eventually, but I appreciate that you sped up the process. He creeped me out at our first meeting, and then after everything that happened on our date, I just didn’t want to think about it. So I didn’t. I let him get away with a lot because I didn’t really go near him. I don’t know why I let him stay.”
Natalie hums, reaching up to cup my cheek in her hand. “Because you’re a good person, and you want to take people at their word. Just do me a favor and don’t ignore your instincts like that again?”
I snort out a laugh. “Yeah, I think I can handle that.”
“I meant to ask you, did you ever watch the video?”
“Unfortunately, yes.” I shake my head. “I promised you I would, and Bree thought it would be better if I saw it myself. She was right. Thank you for making sure that happened. Just, don’t do it again, please?”
Now it’s her turn to laugh. “Yeah, I think that’s a promise I can make.”
“Yo, what’s taking the two of you so long?” Koda yells, sticking his head out the open door. “We have places to be.”
“Gods, he’s exhausting sometimes,” I say as I take Natalie’s hand in mine, leading her toward the SUV.
She laughs. “And yet, you chose him to be a part of your pack?”
“Well, yeah. He’s hot.” I bite back my smile. “And overall amazing. Plus, I couldn’t seem to stay away.”
“That would be the universe telling you what I already knew,” Koda croons as I climb into the car. “We were meant to be.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Why don’t you sit back and shut up. Let someone else talk for a while.”
There’s a moment of shocked silence before he hisses, “I feel like I should be offended. Lil, should I be offended?”
She snorts. “Yes, Koda, you should definitely be offended.”
That sends us all into peals of laughter as Justin sighs from the driver’s seat before the car takes off. Mike just grins at me from the passenger seat, and I settle back into my seat, listening to the others chat on the ride over to Charlie’s. It looks like a hole-in-the-wall bar when we pull up, but Koda assures me that Bree says it’s amazing. When we push inside, I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.
The bar is two levels, with a dance floor on the bottom floor and a massive bar set against one wall. Tables and booths spread out across the rest of the space. There’s a sign pointing up the stairs that reads “Games upstairs” that has me curious. I wonder what kind of games there are.
“Y’all must be from Heated!“ a feminine voice calls out, a twang to her words. I spin around to find a petite curly-haired woman heading toward us with a smile on her face. “I’m Charlie, and I’m so glad you decided to have one of your dates here! We don’t open until seven, which is why I asked y’all to be here now. I want to get you set up before the masses come storming in.”
My eyes narrow on Charlie as I step closer, trying to get a hint of her scent. She easily picks up on what I’m trying to do and laughs.
“You won’t be able to scent me, but I’m an omega. I decided to make Rancho Mirage my home after watching the first season of Heated. I didn’t know there was anywhere like this place where so many omega-owned businesses thrive. Bree and Tessa helped me get set up as long as I promised to allow them to have dates here if the omegas wanted to. We didn’t open until just after the second season, so you’re our first date here. I’m so excited.”
I swear she didn’t take a breath through any of that, and for a moment, all I can do is blink at her. “Wow. Thank you for having us. I assume you have somewhere for us that isn’t out in the open?”
“I do.” Charlie heads for the stairs, waving for us to follow her. “I have a party room that can be split into two that I rent out. You’ll have the whole place to yourself, and no one will bother you. It’s actually set up on the third floor that most people don’t know about.”
Once we reach the top of the stairs, she leads us down a hallway. I trail behind her, but can’t help gaping at everything that’s set up here. There are pool tables, dart boards, pinball machines, air hockey tables, and I even think I see some giant Jenga towers in one corner. I’m not really paying attention and would’ve run into Charlie’s back if Natalie hadn’t stopped me. I shoot her a grateful smile before returning my attention to Charlie.
We’re standing in front of a chrome wall where two large men stand. If I had to guess, I would say they’re alphas. I’m just about to ask what we’re doing when Charlie leans over and places her hand on the wall. It lights up for a moment before the wall splits open, revealing an elevator.
“Well, that’s cool as shit,” Koda mumbles. “Why doesn’t the compound have anything cool like this?”
I bite back my laughter, shaking my head as we follow Charlie into the elevator. The doors shut behind us, and I barely notice when the elevator begins to move. It’s only seconds later that the doors open before us, revealing a hallway with only two doors.
“There’s one door for each room when it’s divided up. There are bathrooms up here and a bar. You’ll have your own bartender and a server.” Charlie moves to the closest door and throws it open. “Menus can be found on each of the tables. Your server is going to be Sarah, and your bartender Jimmy. They’re both betas and are wearing the scent-canceling products I require of all my employees. There are also scent dampeners throughout the room in case there are any scent breakthroughs. Now, unless you have any questions for me, I’ll leave you to enjoy your night.”
I shake my head. “No, Charlie, but thank you. I think you’ve covered everything. I assume Sarah or Jimmy can answer any questions we might think of.”
She nods. “Of course they can. There are two single-stall bathrooms in each corner as well. The kitchen staff is all set up, so feel free to order whenever you’re ready. The music is the same as what’s playing in the bar, but if you want to change it, Jimmy can take care of that for you. I hope you guys have a great night!”
She’s gone before I can thank her again, and I just shake my head before taking in the room. Two of the walls are lined with booths, and the same games I saw on the second floor are set up here as well. I grin as I head for the pool table.
“Who wants to play?” I ask, picking up a cue stick.
“I’m actually kind of hungry,” Lillian admits, and Natalie nods in agreement. I pout, knowing that since food has been mentioned, that’s all Koda will want.
“Fine, we’ll eat first.” I grin, hurrying over to the closet booth and sliding in. Lillian slides in beside me, leaving Natalie and Koda to fill in the other side. Picking up a menu, I lick my lips. Everything sounds amazing and we end up ordering a variety to share. As we eat, I find myself relaxing more and more. I’ve been a little worried that I’d been too rash in sending so many suitors home in one go, but I never felt as comfortable with any of them as I do with these three. Honestly, with any of the remaining suitors.
I made the right decision, and now I can focus on really getting to know the remaining suitors; to decide if they’re who I want in my pack.