Chapter 5
HAILEY
I came to the firehouse with the intention of making sure Nate didn’t tell my mom what happened. I’m not sure why I’m so afraid of her and her pack, but old habits die hard. Finding out he left, that he never bonded with my mom, and got out of there gives me hope.
It’s because I know he deserves better, no other reason.
He was way too young for her, too kind, and that he would be at the bottom of their pack pyramid.
She doesn’t deserve someone with such a big heart, who smells like the warmest, coziest cup of tea.
No, my mother deserves the assholes she surrounds herself with.
I’m not sure if one of them is my father or not, none of them really stepped up to that role. They were just Erin’s Alphas and I just happened to be there.
At the firehouse, it didn’t feel like I was just there. I felt like the center of attention, and I liked it way more than I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I’m the center of attention a lot at Lavender Moon, but it’s different. That’s a job.
This felt different. I mean, I had to drag every mortifying inch over here to make sure Nate didn’t accidentally ruin my life, but it turned out to be fun, sweet even.
His co-worker Sterling seemed really nice too. The other two seem like your typical Alpha dumbasses, but Sterling seemed different. He has that aura of an Alpha who’s in charge and isn’t afraid to make the calls for a pack. It’s hot, and I only had a few brief words with him.
I’m smiling like a school girl as my phone buzzes.
Unknown
Hey Cherry, it’s Hayes. Ian gave me your number saying you approved me sending you a message. Still down to accompany me this weekend?
My smile widens as I change his contact name. When was the last time I ever felt so much in one day?
I’m absolutely still in.
Hayes
The event is at the Cosmopolitan. Do you want me to send a car or would you feel more comfortable driving yourself?
I bite my lip, loving the consideration.
He isn’t some Alpha asshole demanding me to do something, he’s asking me how comfortable I am.
As much as I like Hayes, it seems pretty dumb to give anyone my address, so I don’t.
As badly as I would enjoy a car picking me up, it’s probably best I drive myself.
I’ll drive myself. But thank you. What should I wear?
Hayes
It will all be taken care of, just be there by 6, the front desk will have a room for you to get ready.
Oh, I can just come ready.
Hayes
No, you’re coming to the event as my Omega, prepare to be spoiled.
The squeal that leaves me is rather unladylike, but I smile down at my phone.
Okay.
Hayes
See you Saturday.
Am I hoping that Hayes walks into Lavender Moon and asks for a private dance again? Yes.
Do I know how to cope with the fact that I’m actually pining after someone? Absolutely not.
Riley bumps me with his hip; we’re both taking a water break.
“You better come to Luna’s house tonight, all the Omegas are going,” he says.
The part of me that’s so good hiding away wants to make up an excuse and go home. But this newly blossoming part of me could really use some friends to talk to.
“I’m in,” I whisper and Riley grins.
God, he’s probably the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine the idea of being with another Omega, but if there was going to be one, it would be him.
However, Riley is busy wrapping the entire city of Las Vegas around his long, lithe fingers. He isn’t afraid of Alphas, isn’t afraid of affection, in fact I think he’s the opposite. He wants so much that I’m not sure what it would take for him to consider settling down.
“You’re not going to bail at the last minute and blame your cat?” he asks.
I gape at him and he grins.
“No. Plus, who doesn’t want to see what the boss's house looks like?” I ask, genuinely curious. It’s probably going to be massive and luxurious, and honestly, I could really use a friend right now.
“I swear, I’ll drag you there by your pretty long hair if you try to ditch,” Riley threatens and I hold my hands up in surrender.
“No ditching,” I reply, as I glance around the main stage.
No Hayes. My face must fall and Riley arches a brow.
“Waiting for your poker champion?” he jokes.
“Oh hush. Like you don’t look forward to when that super tall female Alpha comes into town,” I retort and he raises an eyebrow.
“You know, I used to think you were just in your own little world, coming to and from work. But now I know what’s really going on.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that yes, I will be your Omega mentor you didn’t ask for,” he says, pulling back the curtain and walking back to the dance floor.
I huff out a bit of air and pray that talking to Riley and agreeing to come to this party isn’t a huge mistake.
The property is insane as my worn Jetta parks next to expensive cars. I swallow down this feeling of not fitting in. I know it’s all in my head, and the more I let it consume me, the more I’ll retreat into myself.
If I want to change my life, I need to be that change.
So, I get out of the car, and push the lock button four times before it actually locks. My heels click against the stones that look like they were splashed with water to look shiny tonight and approach the sprawling house before me.
I take a deep breath and knock. The beautiful blonde-haired Omega, Luna, and her other Alpha, Ezra, open the door with wide smiles.
“Hailey, you made it. Come in,” she says, in a truly happy tone. “Almost everyone from the club is here. Riley said you were coming, but I didn’t believe it.”
I glance around the house, it’s beautiful, clean, and modern. I shove the feeling of not belonging deep down. I’m going to fake this till I make it.
Mr. Martinez strolls over, looking effortlessly expensive as he kisses his Omega on the top of her head.
“Welcome to our home, there are cocktails and food in the kitchen. Everyone is in the living room,” he says.
“Thank you, Mr. Martinez.”
“Ew. Call him Ian. Let’s go get a drink,” Luna says, linking her arm with mine and leads me over to the kitchen.
I don’t think I’ve seen Mr. Martinez—Ian—smile so wide as Luna shows me around the house.
My brows furrow and Luna must notice my confusion.
“He may or may not have thrown this party because I made a little statement about not having friends here,” Luna says.
“You? I feel like everyone is your friend.”
She shrugs, and just continues the tour. Is it wrong to feel some relief? That I’m not alone in navigating friendships and relationships?
As soon as we get to the kitchen, Luna grabs us both a glass of something sparkly and I take it.
Riley, Jenny, and Cora all come over to join us in the kitchen. I may drink more than I usually do to loosen my nerves.
“So, Ian told me that Paxton is paying you to join him at a poker tournament,” Luna says.
I squint my eyes. “Hayes?”
“Oh, that’s right, he usually goes by his last name.”
“How does Ian know him anyway?” I ask, feeling curious and nervous about my upcoming night with the Beta.
“He really just seems to know everybody.”
“What’s it like having an Alpha that makes other Alphas piss in their pants?” Riley says dreamily, resting his elbows on the counter and placing his fists under his chin.
Luna grins. “Hot, as one can imagine.”
I look around and realize her Omega mate isn’t here. “Where’s James?” I ask.
Luna waves a hand at me. “I’m sure he’ll show his face for approximately two minutes. Big groups aren’t his thing.”
An Omega after my own heart.
“Now, back to your Beta date this weekend, what are you wearing?” Luna asks.
I clear my throat. “He said he would take care of it.”
Riley whistles and downs the rest of his drink. “That’s some big dick Beta energy.”
“Oh, what do you even know about Betas, you’re such an Alpha whore,” Jenny says and Riley glares at her.
“I know you can’t get locked and knotted at the same time, Jenny. But I’m telling you, if you knew how that felt you wouldn’t be pining after Betas either.”
“I think I want a Beta in my pack someday,” Cora says softly.
“Same. My mom is mated to nine Alphas, that’s not what I want for myself,” I say.
You can almost hear a pin drop as all the Omegas stop mid drink to blink and gape at me.
“Nine?” Riley says with raised eyebrows.
And so starts the night of drinking and dropping all of our trauma.
Three cocktails later…
“He had to pop it to get it out of me,” I say dramatically as I’m half on the couch, half laughing to death. I don’t think my stomach has ever hurt so much from laughing.
“Your mom’s younger ex-boyfriend had to remove a broken knot toy from inside of you?” Riley asks again, tears streaming down his face as he laughs.
“Yes.”
Luna scoots up in her chair, her eyes hazy from all the drinking. “Wait, and he went out of his way to tell you that they broke up and wanted to give you a tour of his cute little fire station?”
“And you were kicked out of the house because of his reaction to your scent?” Cora reiterates.
“The hot firefighter who saved your pussy wants you,” Riley says and I toss a pillow at him.
“He does not. He was just doing his job and is a decent person,” I reply back.
“Is he hot?” Cora asks.
Like she works for the CIA, Luna pulls up the fire department images on her phone and shows everyone a picture of Nate. Riley whistles.
“Yes. Hot,” he says
“It doesn’t matter. He didn’t ask me for my number, he just took the muffins and we’re even now.”
“I was also once an oblivious dumb Omega. Things will all work out,” Luna says.
“What does that even mean?” I ask.
Riley pets down my hair. “It means your mom’s ex-boyfriend wants to fuck you and we all think you should let him.”
I blink rapidly and then can’t help the laughter that tumbles out of me. “You all are delusional and this is what I get for actually coming out.”
“Having an amazing time?” Riley says.
I grin from ear to ear, because he’s right. I am actually having an amazing time. Who would have known that I actually was in major need of some Omega advice?
It makes me realize how much alcohol I’ve had.
“There are enough guest rooms for everyone to stay the night, or Ian can have a driver take you home, whichever you prefer.”
“I need my car for tomorrow.”
Luna smiles, pushing her light blonde hair out of her face. The other Omegas seem to want to keep the night going, but I think I’m maxed out on socializing.
“Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
She leads me up the stairs and we run into her Omega. He doesn’t smile, but wraps Luna in a hug.
“How much later do you think you’ll be up?” he asks her.
“Not much longer,” she replies and he kisses her head and walks back into his room, acting like I’m invisible.
“Sorry about him, he’s…well, he’s just James.”
I give her a smile as she leads me to the room.
“There are brand new T-shirts in the drawers with no scents on them and scent free products in the bathroom. If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Luna?” I say as she goes to walk away.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks again for having me tonight. I didn’t realize how much I missed having friends to talk to.”
She takes a few steps and wraps her arms around me, and I hug her back, even if her lavender scent is making my nose itch.
“It’s what I needed too.”
My eyes water as she walks away and I don’t feel so alone.