Chapter 2
Chapter two
Thorne
“So, let me get this straight,” I say, placing the napkin on my plate.
Hayden finishes his last bite before doing the same.
The past two hours with this omega have sped by.
It’s like the moment we started chatting, we just…
clicked. Hayden shared his string of dating disasters and his search for an alpha to meet his family.
All the while, he recounted each date with a little extra flair and a smile on his face.
He’s an absolute riot. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
Hayden smirks, waiting to hear what I’ll say next. His foot casually grazes my calf, a move that he’s been doing all night, and one I’ve been returning.
I lean forward, tempted to tuck his beautiful black hair behind his ear. “Every Christmas, your mother makes you go on vacation with your family. Only to try to set you up with some random alpha, hoping the two of you will what? Hit it off, and go make a bunch of babies?” I tease.
My thoughts stray to my mother, and I silently chuckle. She would totally do the same thing.
Hayden laughs, a wide grin on his face. Every time he aims that smile my way, my inner lion sits up with interest, swishing his tail. I wasn’t lying when I called him pretty, but I didn’t expect such a sassy and smart omega.
It’s refreshing.
As the next alpha in line to lead my Pride, omegas throw themselves at me willingly, and without my mother’s help.
It’s exhausting. Every one of them treats me the same; never making eye contact, never speaking out of turn, always waiting for me to talk first. None of them ever opens up or shows me their true selves.
It’s like they’ve forgotten I grew up in town with them and have no memory of who they were before I became some prize to win.
On some strange level, I can relate to Hayden. All the omegas I meet just fake everything with me. It’s as if they only show me the omega they think I want to see.
Unfortunately for them, I’m saving myself for love.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a virgin, far from it.
But I’m the rare type of alpha to make sure I’m in a relationship before jumping into bed.
I believe in love and fated mates. I’m not so sure I’ll ever find my fated, but I know what love looks like.
I see it with my parents every day, and I know that’s what I want.
“I didn’t say she forced me to go on vacation. The vacation part is fun. I love seeing my big Filipino family for the holidays. But these alphas? They are so freaking full of themselves; flaunting their achievements like verbal aphrodisiacs, hoping to get me into bed.”
I laugh. “Okay, noted. Don’t try to impress you with all my achievements.” Honestly, I love that he isn’t easily impressed with money or pretty words.
Hayden shakes his head. “No, there’s nothing wrong with being proud. Tell me about yourself, but fuck, be humble, don’t list things off like you expect me to beg you for your knot.”
I choke on my drink. “Dear goddess, I love how forward you are.”
“Do you?” His brown eyes sparkle. Right as I’m about to open my mouth, the server returns, handing me the check. I slide my credit card into the folder and hand it back to her. I don’t miss the way Hayden’s smile drops, or the look of disappointment that crosses his face.
Is he upset that I’m paying? Am I acting like all those other alphas, flaunting my money rather than being…humble? My lion roars, angry that we made our omega upset.
No, not our omega.
I specifically remember telling Hayden this was my treat, but maybe he forgot.
‘Or maybe he’s disappointed that our date is over,’ my lion suggests.
I glance over at Hayden, but he’s gathering his things and sliding his jacket on, covering all that smooth brown skin.
There’s a deep frown on his face now, and my heart sinks.
I don’t want to be like those alphas he talked about.
I want to prove to him that I’m different, that I enjoy his company, and that I want to get to know him.
Fuck, what am I doing? This is my last day in town.
But as soon as the thought comes to mind, I’m already finding excuses to come visit.
To come back and see him. The city is only a few hours from my pack. I can visit him on the weekends.
My mother always said she expected I would fall in love with a shifter that isn’t a lion, like me, and I kind of believed it. But I never expected to be interested in a human.
Hayden stands, and it’s a little rude, considering my credit card is still with the server, but I don’t blame him. Not after all the stories of failed dates and alphaholes.
“How do you feel about dessert?” I blurt. Anything to get him to not walk away from me.
His head jerks up. “Dessert?” he asks hesitantly. Suddenly, my lion is raging again. Wanting to come forth and defend this pretty omega from all the men who treated him like an object. I make a silent vow to prove to this man that I see him. That I want to see all of him.
“I mean, sure. It’s my last night in the city, and I’m enjoying your company. Maybe you can show me the nightlife? Give me a reason to come back sooner?”
Hayden blinks, stunned. He collapses back into his seat like a puppet with its strings cut. “I’m not really in the mood to go dancing at a club or go bar hopping,” he says slowly.
I nod, agreeing. “Me either. That’s not what I meant by nightlife. Small-town boy here, remember? What I meant is maybe we can find a place to grab dessert. We can walk downtown and look at all the Christmas lights. I heard it’s pretty here at nighttime.”
“It is,” he replies, still sounding shocked. “Really pretty. This year is the last year they plan on lighting the wishing tree. It’s sad, really, and I was kind of hoping to see it one last time.”
“A wishing tree?” I ask, not quite sure what that means.
The server returns, and I sign the receipt, placing my card back in my wallet and standing.
I slide my peacoat on and wrap my scarf around my neck.
Then, I hold my hand out, similar to the way Fergison did just two hours before.
But unlike earlier, Hayden beams up at me with that breathtaking smile and places his hand in mine.
He tugs on my hand playfully, leading the way. I love that he isn’t timid with me. Hayden glances over his shoulder. “Let me show you. You’ll love it, and who knows, maybe one of your wishes will come true.”
As soon as we make it outside, the air is crisp on my face, and the sound of the city’s traffic surrounds us.
But rather than being too cold or too loud, I feel awake.
Or more accurately, the city makes me feel alive.
But when I glance down at Hayden, I realize it’s not the city at all.
It’s this little omega next to me, lighting me up like a Christmas tree.