Chapter 18 #2
I raise an eyebrow. “How old are you, exactly?”
“Old enough to remember before King Leopold unified the cities.” He taps a gnarled finger against his temple. “Back then, it was every Alpha for themselves. No sharing. No packs. Just territory and whoever was strong enough to protect it.”
I watch as he lays a red queen onto a black king. “Sounds chaotic.”
“It was.” He shrugs. “But there was a kind of honesty to it. You knew where you stood. None of this fancy royal pack business where you gotta pretend you’re happy sharing what’s yours.”
My eyes drift back to Maya, who’s now practicing a defensive stance, her small body coiled with potential energy. Dani stands close behind her, adjusting her elbow position.
“Sharing isn’t always easy,” I admit.
The old man cackles. “Course it ain’t. Alphas aren’t built for it. That’s why the king had to force it on everyone—make it seem like some grand tradition instead of the control tactic it is.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Think about it.” He slaps down another card. “Harder to rebel against the crown when your loyalty’s all tangled up with other Alphas, ain’t it? Break one bond, you break ‘em all. Keeps everyone in line.”
I’ve never thought about it that way before. The pack system has always just been...the way things are. The natural order of things.
“She’s something special, that one,” the old man says, nodding toward Maya again. “You can see it in how she moves. Like she’s fighting against more than just what’s in front of her.”
I drain my beer and signal for another. “You have no idea.”
I barely have time to drain my second beer before Maya comes bounding over to the bar, face flushed and eyes bright with excitement.
Her purple hair is damp with sweat, clinging to her neck in wild tendrils.
There’s something different about her energy—raw and untamed in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Ares!” She practically throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I pinned Dani! Can you believe it? I actually took down an Alpha!”
I catch her automatically, my hands finding her waist as her scent—strawberries and champagne, now mingled with sweat and adrenaline—fills my nostrils. Over her shoulder, I catch Dani’s eye. The tall Alpha woman is wiping down the mats, and she gives me a slow, deliberate wink.
Of course, Dani let her win. There’s no way Maya could take down a trained fighter with decades of experience after one lesson. But the pure joy radiating from Maya makes the inconvenient truth unimportant.
“That’s impressive,” I say, unable to keep from smiling at her enthusiasm. “You’re a natural. With some practice, you could be a real contender in the ring.”
Maya beams at me, still perched half on my lap. “Really? You think so?”
“Absolutely.” That part isn’t a lie. She has more grit than I expected, especially for a sheltered Enclave Omega. “You’ve got good instincts.”
I glance at my watch and realize we’ve been here longer than I intended. Logan will be looking for us soon, and explaining where we’ve been will be difficult enough without adding extra hours to our absence.
“We should probably head back?—“
“Can I have a beer first?” Maya cuts me off, her eyes pleading. “Dani says they’re good post workout. Just one to celebrate my victory?”
The old bartender chuckles, already reaching beneath the counter. “Got something special for the lady. My own brew, a bit sweeter than the swill Alpha’s usually want.”
I should say no. I should insist we leave immediately. But Maya settles more firmly onto my lap, her weight warm and comfortable against me, and my resolve crumbles like wet sand.
“One drink,” I concede, watching as the bartender slides a dark bottle across the counter.
Maya takes a long sip and makes an appreciative noise. “This is pretty good. It tastes like…honey, maybe, and something else I can’t place.”
“Secret ingredient,” the old man says with a wink. “Old family recipe.”
I watch Maya’s throat work as she swallows, transfixed by the delicate line of her neck where it meets her collarbone. She catches me staring and her lips curve into a knowing smile.
“What?” she asks innocently, though her eyes tell me she knows exactly what she’s doing.
“Nothing,” I mutter, taking another swig of my own beer.
Maya shifts on my lap, and I have to stifle a groan. She has to feel what she’s doing to me, but she pretends not to notice, chatting animatedly with the bartender about his brewing process.
Across the room, Dani gives me a thumbs-up and mouths, “you’re welcome” before disappearing into the back office.
“Can I have another?” Maya holds out her empty bottle, her eyes bright.
I should say no. We need to get back to the palace. Logan’s going to be looking for us. But the way she’s looking at me—her cheeks flushed with exertion and that rare, genuine smile on her face—makes it impossible to deny her.
“One more,” I concede, signaling the bartender. “But then we really need to head back.”
“You’re the best, Ares!” She throws her arms around my neck again, her body warm against mine.
I remember our drinking game from before, how she matched me shot for shot without even getting tipsy. One more beer won’t hurt. It’ll keep her happy while I settle the tab, and then we’ll be on our way.
The old bartender slides another dark bottle across the counter with a knowing smirk that I choose to ignore. Maya takes a long pull from the bottle, then sighs with contentment.
“This is so good. Why don’t they serve this at the palace?” She takes another swig, then giggles—actually giggles—at nothing in particular.
Wait.
I narrow my eyes at her. She’s swaying slightly on my lap, her movements looser than before. When she reaches for a bowl of nuts on the bar, she knocks it over instead, sending them scattering across the counter.
She dissolves into laughter, as if it’s the funniest thing she’s ever seen. “Whoopsie!”
“Maya?” I touch her shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fantastic!” She spins on her stool to face me, nearly toppling off before I catch her. “Everything is just...just wonderful!”
Holy shit. She’s drunk. How is she drunk? Two beers shouldn’t do this to anyone, let alone someone who can handle hard liquor like it’s water.
I grab the bartender’s arm as he passes. “What the hell did you give her?”
The old man’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “Just my special brew.”
“What’s in it?” I demand, tightening my grip.
“Nothing dangerous.” He shrugs, unfazed by my threatening posture. “It’s one of the few types of alcohol that actually affects Omegas. Most booze doesn’t hit their system right, something about their metabolism. But my recipe? Works like a charm.”
Well, shit. “You could’ve warned me.”
“You didn’t ask.” He collects Maya’s empty bottles. “Besides, she seems to be enjoying herself.”
He’s not wrong. Maya is currently running her fingers through my hair with a dreamy expression on her face.
“Your curls are so bouncy,” she says, tugging one and watching it spring back. “Like little springs. Boing, boing, boing!” Each word is punctuated with another tug.
“We need to go,” I tell her firmly, removing her hand from my hair. “Right now.”
“But I’m having fun.” She pouts, then leans in close, her lips brushing my ear. “You’re so handsome when you’re serious. Has anyone ever told you that? All broody and dangerous.”
Her hand lands on my thigh, sliding upward with unmistakable intent. I catch it before it reaches its destination.
“Maya, you’re drunk.”
“So?” She leans in for a kiss, but I turn my head so her lips land on my cheek instead. “Don’t you want me? Everyone else does.”
Logan is going to kill me. Not figuratively—but, literally—kill me.
Like, I’ll be lucky if there are enough pieces left to fill a coffin.
I’ve taken his Omega to an illegal fighting club, gotten her drunk on some special Omega-affecting alcohol, and now she’s trying to seduce me in public.
There’s no scenario where this ends well for me.
“We’re leaving,” I announce, standing up and pulling Maya to her feet. She sways dangerously, so I scoop her into my arms.
“Ooh, so strong,” she coos, nuzzling into my neck. “Mmm, you smell like chocolate cupcakes. I could just eat you up.”
The bartender chuckles. “Good luck with that one.”
I shoot him a glare that would make most men wet themselves, but he just waves cheerfully as I carry Maya toward the exit.
“Bye, Mr. Bartender!” Maya calls over my shoulder. “Your beer is magical!”
I’m so absolutely screwed.