Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
Issa
M y nephew was currently balanced on my lap, his hands wrapped in my long hair, a slobbery smile on his lips as I talked to him in a high-pitched baby voice as his little head wobbled as he tried to hold it up.
Pietro was barely three months old and had the cutest fat rolls around his neck and I couldn’t help but lean forward to kiss them, earning the cutest baby giggle ever. I pulled away wide-eyed and raised my brows at Cora. I’d had no idea they could laugh at such a young age. But what the hell did I know about babies?
Yet another reason me being a mother wasn’t the greatest idea.
Amir was pressed against my right side, Cora sat on my left, our alphas surrounding us on all sides on the couch and chairs they’d pulled close.
“He’s such a happy baby,” I said. “Aren’t you? You are such a happy baby.”
His chubby little hands flapped in the air as his adorable baby smile widened as though confirming my statement.
“He loves his aunt. Aunty Issa…” Cora said to Pietro, leaning forward and taking one of his hands to press kisses along the back. “What about you guys? You planning on kids any time in the near future?”
Her eyes bounced between me and Amir, her brows raised.
A lump lodged itself in my throat and I had to cough to clear it. I had no desire to carry a child, but I wouldn’t stand in the way if Amir and our alphas wanted children. I would love and cherish any son or daughter birthed by my beautiful omega.
“We haven’t really talked about all that yet,” Amir said, his eyes soft, his smile wistful as he watched me with my nephew. Our nephew?
I supposed since we were all officially mated, that made my family theirs. We’d all been somewhat connected already since Enzo was Cora’s brother-in-law and all.
“I’m having fun getting to know my new pack. I think we’ll hold off on that decision for a while,” my omega said and gave me a sweet wink.
I smiled at Amir. I could have kissed him for saying that. Because that was exactly how I felt. I knew most packs added an omega solely to carry heirs for their family, even though betas were capable of getting pregnant, though not as easily. At least the packs I’d grown up around my whole life.
But that wasn’t why my alphas had sought Amir. They’d finally admitted they decided on adding an omega for me, had waited until they found a male omega so I wouldn’t feel as though any woman added would be my replacement. They knew I still held quite a bit of distrust and apprehension around other alphas.
Although we could have lived a happy life together, just the four of us, I was beyond happy that we had Amir. He made everything feel…
He made my heart feel so full. Made my life feel complete. Made it feel as though some weird hole I hadn’t known existed in my heart had finally found its missing piece and I could feel it thumping like crazy as my pack’s love and affection poured through our bond.
We all spent the next few hours talking and laughing, the guys grilled out on the patio, then fed Cora and me while insisting we relax and catch up. They even took over the care of Pietro when he got fussy and needed to go down for a nap.
No. Cora and I hadn’t been close growing up. But we were no longer children, and our asshole fathers were no longer around to pit us against each other or make me feel as if I were less because of my designation.
Now, we were simply two sisters finally getting to know each other. Maybe someday, I could start to build a relationship with my brothers, as well.
“They’re crazy about you,” Cora said, leaning close to me to speak softly as the guys periodically checked on us while we chatted on the couch and they hung out in the kitchen, drinking beer, Cora’s alphas getting a chance to get to know Amir. “And you look so happy.”
A smile beamed on my face before I could stop it. “I am happy. Truly happy.”
Her eyes lowered to the marks on my shoulder and throat, a wistful uptick of her lips preceding a soft sigh. “I knew Enzo and the guys were hot for you, but I could never have dreamed you all would…fuck, you make the perfect pack.”
Even with the way we’d been raised, Cora had always had more of a rebellious streak. She would sneak out or demand our fathers’ guards escort her so she could go dancing or shopping while I had always been more subdued. Sure, I enjoyed the same luxuries she had, but I’d never really been given the chance to spread my wings since I’d been shipped off to a pack after graduating high school.
“I have a job now, too,” I said, my smile stretching into a wide grin when her brows shot up her forehead.
“Really?”
I nodded. “At The Vault. I’m a server three days a week. I just started last week and only worked a few hours each time. But Amir is determined to be there on the nights I work. Although I’m not sure how much of that has to do with being around me and how much is for the opportunity to see Ax dance.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I have to catch one of his shows one of these days. But we don’t want to take advantage of our nanny.”
Translation: She refused to allow someone else to raise her son the way our nannies had raised us. Our parents had been mostly hands off unless it came to consequences and punishments.
“You definitely need to come out soon. And make it a night I’m working so I can be your server. I’m not great at it, yet, but I’m still in training. And Cyrus said he’ll teach me how to mix drinks so I can take some shifts behind the bar for when we’re shorthanded or the club is packed.”
“I think we should go to one of the strip clubs, too,” Cora said a little loudly, winking at me before holding up a hand and counting down from five…
Four…
Three…
Two…
Before she’d folded down the first finger, Cohl rushed in and flopped onto the couch, his head in her lap, his face beaming up at her. “I’ll go with you, but you have to sit on my lap while we watch the dancer shaking their tits.”
My cheeks burned from the blush, but it was so cute that, not only had Cora known exactly how her announcement would go, but that Cohl was so enamored with my sister. I was surprised none of them had come into the room sooner. It had been almost twenty minutes since any of the alphas had made one excuse or another to enter, trailing a hand along one of our shoulders or pressing a kiss to the tops of our heads.
We were lucky women.
With promises to get together again soon, Cora and her pack loaded my adorable nephew into their extended SUV and headed home. That had been two days ago.
Now, I was in my personal bathroom applying makeup while Ax sat on the vanity and watched.
He’d done this exact thing for months, watching me get ready for the day or winding down for the night, before either of us had admitted how badly we’d wanted each other. All that time, I’d thought he saw me as simply another member of the pack, almost like a sister. He and the other two would fool around in one of their bedrooms while I tried not to listen too closely and struggled with the intense surges of jealousy and rejection.
“Is Amir coming again tonight?” I asked.
“He came twice already today,” Ax teased.
Straightening, I raised one brow at him, even as my face burst into flames and my lower body warmed. Those two orgasms involved me and Ax taking turns with our omega while Cyrus and Enzo were out running errands before we all headed to work.
“Yes. He said he’s coming out tonight.”
Our omega had run home to visit with his parents for a bit, something about one of their goats having babies, or kids as I’d been informed. I’d been promised a trip to see the babies as soon as possible.
I wished he was here. As clingy as it made me feel, I hated when any of the pack weren’t together, even if only for a few hours. And I wasn’t even a damn omega.
Nope. I was simply a woman in love with four of the most amazing men to ever exist.
Applying another coat of mascara, I leaned back away from the mirror and checked my reflection.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” Ax said, but it was muttered, as though he was thinking out loud rather than paying me a compliment.
I smiled over at him and grabbed a bottle of perfume, spritzing it once in my cleavage before stepping closer and wedging myself between his knees .
“You make me feel beautiful.” Even when I’d thought they didn’t see me in that light, they’d made sure I felt pretty, forced me to at least try to see my own self-worth beyond what I had to offer an alpha.
I wasn’t simply a beta or the daughter of the Alvarez alphas. I was Isabelle Rivera. I was strong and intelligent. And officially employed. I worked my butt off, even though I was still only scheduled for short shifts while I learned how to work the club. I was gaining independence, earning my own money, and was so close to being comfortable driving myself without an escort.
It wasn’t the driving part that scared me – it was being alone in public around alphas, around people who always felt like a threat, whether imagined or not.
At the club, I had my pack, I had their employees who treated me like I was their friend, who kept an eye out for me when one of my alphas wasn’t there to hawk-eye my every move.
I’d also chosen a new wardrobe specifically for my workdays, a way to feel like a different person. It might have sounded odd to someone else, that something as simple as new skirts and tops and a change in my makeup would give me a boost of self-esteem, but it worked for me.
Didn’t hurt that I could feel my pack in my chest any time I took a peek down the threads, could feel how proud of me they were, how much they cared about me, could feel them right there with every step I took so I never felt alone.
An hour later, the four of us walked through the back employee entrance, the alphas stepping into their offices – including the one where Amir and I had first fucked – while I headed straight for the bar to grab my apron, clock in, and grab a tray from the stack.
It was early, but there were a few groups at some of the tables, others sitting on the stools at the bar. Aryn was tending bar tonight and was one of my favorites. She was so pretty and funny and was a freaking alpha. A female alpha. She and Amir tended to get quite a few stares due to their rarity.
Aryn was not only super sweet and funny, but also as tall as Amir and just as protective as the rest of my pack. We had formed a quick friendship and I found myself hoping she would find a pack of her own soon. I wanted her to be as happy as me. Hell, I was a big ol’ bubble of joy these days and wanted the entire world to experience the rainbows and unicorns I swore I felt every day.
“Your sexy ass omega coming in tonight?” Aryn asked as I approached and turned my cheek for her to press a kiss.
I’d grown so much more comfortable with physical affection, so much so that I even looked forward to the gentle touches from Aryn and the other servers as they came or left. Hugs, brushes along my shoulders, pecks to the cheeks.
They were all careful to avoid leaving their scent on me, though. Being as all the servers were betas like me, I wasn’t sure why them scent marking me would have been an issue, but I could understand why the alpha bouncers avoided transferring their signature to me, even my clothing.
Not Aryn. After kissing my cheek, she ran her chin over the top of my head, then lifted her phone and stared at the screen, waiting for the text we both knew was coming.
Just like the last few times I’d worked and Aryn touched me, all three alphas sent texts of various threats. Although both of us knew they were half-hearted. Aryn didn’t want me romantically. I didn’t want her. And my men would never hurt a woman, even a fellow alpha.
“Of course. Ax wants to show off yet another new routine,” I said with a smile and a roll of my eyes.
“Yeah right. That omega’s eyes follow you around the room. The only time they leave you is when your alpha is on stage, then…” She snapped her fingers. “Right back on his pretty little beta.”
It might have been my imagination, but her last few words almost sounded sad. And I was right back to hoping she would find a pack, someone who would see how amazing she was and appreciate such a beautiful and strong woman.
My cheeks heated and I shrugged. “We’re in love or whatever.”
“No whatever to that one. I swear all five of you have been walking around with hearts in your eyes for weeks. ”
She shooed me from behind the bar and turned to a couple who’d walked up to the bar.
For the time, there were only two servers on the floor, but two others would arrive in an hour or so, right in time for the crowd that would pile in for their weekend plans and to catch Ax and the other strippers.
We’re not strippers. It’s a male dance review . I could hear Ax’s voice in my head as I approached a table to check on them and smiled.
“You guys doing okay?” I asked.
Three sets of eyes lifted to me, scowls etched into their faces, faces that might have been handsome if they were to relax the muscles keeping their brows knitted together so tightly.
The man nearest me raised a brow when his attention zeroed in on my marks. “Your alphas haven’t taught you how to approach a designation higher than yours?”
Old Issa tried to push to the forefront. My first instinct was to lower my eyes and apologize. They were right. They were alphas, top of the food chain. I was nothing but a beta.
But new Issa?
“You’re not higher than me. And if you want to actually stay in the club owned by my pack, you’ll show me more respect. So, let’s try this again – you guys doing okay, or can I get you something else?”
One of the men smiled softly and nodded, respect shining in his pretty brown eyes. The first asshole made a scoffing sound in the back of his throat but asked for an old-fashioned – how apropos – while the others requested a bucket of beers.
“You got it,” I said with an overly friendly smile.
I let it drop the moment I turned away from them and rolled my eyes.
But then…a genuine smile tugged at my lips. I had just stood up to three alphas. I hadn’t backed down, hadn’t let them treat me like trash.
I couldn’t wait for Amir to get here so I could tell him. The first free moment I had, I planned to send a group text to my alphas to let them know I was officially a badass. I’d have to explain that later, but for now, that was exactly how I felt, like I could stand up to anyone without backing down.
Shoulders squared, I gave Aryn the order, the smile still on my face, and turned toward the door, just waiting for it to swing open and my omega to appear. I missed him. Only a few hours apart, and I missed him.
The tables continued to fill, the dance floor grew more and more crowded, and the music was turned up enough to create the right atmosphere. The lights were dim, but not so dark that I couldn’t make my way around the room without tripping over my feet.
I had waited on the table of three alphas a couple more times, but that asshole hadn’t made any more comments. He also wouldn’t make eye contact with me, either. That was fine with me. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him.
I’d dressed to the nines, but I’d made sure to wear more comfortable shoes this time. The heels looked great and made me feel fierce, but damn…my feet throbbed and ached by the end of the night.
Which, of course, gave my pack an excuse to pamper me, soak with me in the tub, and rub my sore feet.
When the lights dimmed further and the beat changed, I turned toward the door, searching for Amir. He was going to miss Ax’s show. I might have been on duty, but that never stopped me from ignoring thirsty customers to ogle my sexy ass alpha.
The beginning notes of Save a Horse by Big & Rich started, and I threw my head back and laughed. Really? Of all songs, that was what Ax had chosen for tonight?
Checking the door one more time, I leaned against the bar and focused my full attention on the stage, the empty tray tucked under my arm, and screamed at the top of my lungs when the spotlights lit up the stage with my alpha and four other dancers, all donning cowboy hats, ripped jeans, and white t-shirts.
The song might have been older, but it was fun, and I danced to the beat as Ax worked through choreography, rotating his hips, grabbing the back of his shirt and tugging it over his head, then throwing it into the crowd of excited men and women .
I wasn’t jealous. Even when two women fought over Ax’s shirt, subsequently ruining it when it was ripped in two between them, I wasn’t jealous. Because he was mine.
His eyes found me, and his smile grew blinding, his hand smoothing down his pec, down his stomach, to cup his junk as he swiveled his hips in a promise of what was to come later.
Arms circled around my waist, and I tensed for the briefest moment before I was surrounded by Amir’s sweet signature. It didn’t matter whether he wore scent blockers or how hard the filtration system worked – Amir’s essence was powerful and delicious and made me fucking crazy.
Turning my head, I smiled at him and tilted my face up so he could kiss me. “Just in time,” I yelled over the music.
Amir’s hips swayed against mine, his cock hard against my ass. His chin rested on the top of my head as we watched one of our alphas work through the rest of his routine before pointing at us, then raising a hand to his lips and blowing us a kiss.
I couldn’t help myself – I returned the gesture. All four of my men were just too damn irresistible.
“It is literally taking everything in me not to drag you to one of our alphas’ offices, bend you over, and fuck you senseless,” Amir muttered in my ear, sending butterflies to my stomach and heat low in my belly. If I were an omega, my panties would have become instantly damp with slick from his words, the sweet heat from his breath, and his cock pushed against my ass.
“You’re going to keep me distracted all night, aren’t you?” I asked, turning in his arms and tilting my head back for another kiss. “Aryn is tending bar. Go cop a squat and I’ll visit when I can.”
I pressed another quick kiss to his lips, then smiled over his shoulder at Cyrus as he approached. “Alpha incoming,” I teased with a smile.
Tray still tucked under my arm, I hurried to check on the tables I’d ignored during Ax’s performance. Everyone smiled and either put in another order or waved me off, saying they were fine for now.
Everyone except that first table of the night with the asshole alpha. “ Do you get paid to make out?” he asked, before turning his head to look at me over his shoulder.
“Well, being as that was my omega and my alphas own this place, I’m going to go ahead and say yes, I do get paid to make out. Would you like me to close out your tab?” Nope. Didn’t ask if he wanted anything else. Because I wanted this jackwad out of here.
“Can we get another bucket?” one of his friends asked with a small but friendly smile.
Damn .
“Absolutely. Anything else for you, boys?” And yes, I had intentionally referred to the three alphas as boys on purpose.
Something had come over me tonight. I’d started feeling like a new person during my time with the pack, even more so after Amir had joined us. But this asshole was bringing out a feisty side I hadn’t known existed.
A rumbling growl trickled over the music as the asshole alpha turned and glared at me while his buddies grinned and chuckled. They seemed…nicer. Why would they hang around such a jerk?
Maybe he was their boss. Or family member. Of all people, I knew how shitty one’s family could be.
With a forced smile, I turned my back on the trio and headed for the bar, letting that smile drop as quickly as I had last time. I’d really hoped they were done for the night. They’d been here a couple hours and I was tired of dealing with the alphahole.
“You good?” Aryn asked me as I sidled to the bar beside Amir.
Generally, I would have gone to the end where the rest of the servers waited for their orders, but I needed a hit of my omega. And yeah, I was an addict and Amir was my own personal drug.
“Yep. Just ready for that table to leave. Another bucket,” I answered, turning my cheek when Amir nuzzled against me.
“You’re allowed to refuse service. Pretty sure the owners of this place would love to kick someone out,” he said, his lips brushing along my jaw.
And just like that, my foul mood was gone .
“As long as they’re paying customers, there’s no reason to boot them. Yet.”
I didn’t bother telling either Amir or Aryn why I wanted them to go. No reason to get everyone pissy over one person out of two hundred.
A squeal left my lips as Amir swatted my ass, then a smile plastered itself on my lips. They were all here. All four of my men were under one roof. Our alphas and I were working, but Amir had still come to hang out until we could leave for the night. Although I would probably head home with Amir after my shift instead of waiting for our alphas to finish up their paperwork and closing duties.
Carrying the bucket by the handle, I lifted my arm and hoisted it onto the table occupied by the alphaholes. Okay, only one alphahole, but still. I wished they would finish up their night and leave. They hadn’t watched the show, weren’t dancing, and I hadn’t noticed them talking to anyone else. So, if they were simply having some kind of meeting or reuniting or whatever, they could easily go elsewhere.
I kept my eyes on the two who’d been friendly, hoping it wasn’t overly obvious I was intentionally ignoring the jerk who seemed to enjoy insulting me and felt as though my designation made me inferior to him.
There was absolutely a time I would have agreed. But three alphas and an omega taught me that shit meant nothing. Those four men treated me as though I was their queen, royalty, doted on me and cherished me as though I was their omega.
As I turned to go check on my other tables, a hand clamped around my wrist, pulling me to a stop.
My eyes dropped to the hand and trailed up the arm to find the alphahole glaring a hole through my damn head. As in, if he could have shot daggers from his eyes, I would have bled out right there on the club floor.
“Please don’t touch me,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady and loud enough for him to hear it over the music.
I was growing, healing from my past. But alphas still made me a little nervous .
Your alphas are here. Your omega is here. The staff will see if anyone tries to hurt you.
I repeated those thoughts over and over as I tugged at my arm, trying to pull free.
“This is the second time we’ve had to wait for our drinks while you flirted with that omega,” he said, his fingers tightening rather than loosening.
“You waited because the bartender was waiting on other patrons and had to actually fill the bucket,” I said.
“How about when you took time to be a slut while the strippers were dancing?”
My wrist ached from his hold, his fingertips digging in hard enough I feared there would be bruises.
“Let me go,” I said louder, tugging.
“You’re going to get us kicked out,” one of his buddies said. Except he was grinning and watching rather than actually stepping in to help.
Opening my mouth to issue a final warning before flagging down one of the bouncers, I was jerked away from the alpha so hard I stumbled into a table nearby…
And then chaos exploded all around me.
Fuck .