Chapter 1 #2
“No,” he grunts. “Anyway, if you hear anything, please tell me. Duncan says he thinks there were about six omegas in that van. They could have ended up sold at auction, which means that there could be chatter on the dark web.”
“I’ll keep my ear to the ground,” I promise.
Those poor people.
Cian and I talk a bit more as we finish our drinks before he stands.
“I’m walking you out,” he says, surprising me. “I’ve kept you much longer than I should have.”
“Oh,” I say, blinking as I stand with a nod. “Can I?—”
“Do whatever you need to before leaving, but I’m of the mind that if it’s my fault, then I should walk you out if I’m keeping you past your usual hours,” he says firmly.
God, Cian really will make a wonderful alpha to an omega one day. He patiently waits as I clean up, wash the glasses, and grab my bag.
“I’m going to take this as a sweet gesture instead of you thinking I can’t defend myself,” I tease him, turning out the lights.
“Okay, so I want to know then,” he says. “Exactly how many weapons do you have on you that you have access to right now?”
I have recessed lighting that allows us to see each other still on, which means I can show him.
“I have a gun at the slit of my skirt,” I sigh, touching my thigh. “I also have a knife in a holster down my bra, as well as another in my boot. I also have excellent self defense training, Cian.”
“Good,” he grunts, hiding a smile. “I’ll still worry, though.”
“I appreciate it,” I murmur, unlocking the door with my keys in my hand. “I’ve lived alone for a lot of years.”
Opening the door, I hold it open for him, noting that his driver is standing outside of their vehicle waiting for him. They watch as I make sure to lock the door, and then the two of them walk me to my car down the street. It’s impossible to get decent parking here when I come in.
“I’m not going to touch that, Hollis, because you’ll make me talk about the status of my dating life,” Cian grumbles.
Evan, his driver, snorts under his breath. Cian glares at him, but neither of us believe for a moment that he’s coughing as he tries to play it off.
“When you’re ready, you know that I’m willing to help,” I remind him.
“I’m very set in my ways, and I killed my last wife,” he mutters.
“Yes, but she was a bitch that kept you from your daughter. I think you get a pass,” I say.
Walking around to my driver side door, I wave goodbye to him as I get inside and situated. They watch as I pull away from the curb before walking back to their own car, making me sigh in appreciation.
I may be staunch in my own ways, and insist on my independence, but it is nice to have people care.
Who says chivalry is dead? Not I.
Laying in my bed, I gaze up at the ceiling, listening to a podcast for research purposes. After all, I can’t properly counteract someone's actions if I refuse to keep tabs on them.
Even though I hate the bitches at the Regional Omegas Women’s Society, doing my homework is exactly how I’m going to make my event more successful than theirs. It’s happening in about five weeks, which means I need to begin gathering responses from my invitations.
Turning over to my side to go through my list, I roll my eyes at something Emilia says.
“ Trust me, I know there are other mixers you could be going to,” she says. “ They are filled with tattooed alphas who skirt the line of the law and packs who will use you up and leave you.”
“Fucking liar!” I scream in frustration.
Did I purposefully set the date of my company’s dating mixer as the same as hers? I did. I am incredibly petty like that. However, the packs and alphas I invited are good people. Stabbing someone here and there doesn’t detract from someone’s character.
At least, not in my book.
“ I would never tell you what to do,” Emilia continues.
“ However, I consider myself like a big sister to those who listen to my podcast, and enjoy helping to lead you on the right path. All you have to do is fill out the form to see if you’re eligible for the mixer, and if you are, I am making it free of charge to attend.
If you feel moved to donate at the door, that’s completely up to you. ”
I really wish someone would kill her. I’m not even asking for a long, drawn out torturing session. Though that would be nice. I just really think she should be removed from existing on this planet.
Continuing to half listen, even though the omega is very good at fucking with my blood pressure, I move down the list of packs I’ve invited.
Pack Royal is a very good client of mine, and I am really hoping that they’ll agree to come.
They've been on the dating scene for almost two years, but nothing has come of it.
There was a moment where I thought Aisling would be interested, but fate had other plans.
According to this list, I’ve invited a hundred packs and single alphas, and about a hundred and fifty omegas. I know not everyone will accept, but I had to start somewhere. November fifteenth is going to be a very busy day.
Originally, the date was going to happen in October, but when Emilia decided to change the date, I did the same. Honestly, there’s so much to do, I’m glad I did.
I’m not the only one who is working on undermining Emilia and ROWS, but I am putting my neck on the line by publicly throwing down the gauntlet. My face is all over this event, and I feel the need to make another video to explain why my event is superior.
It’s after midnight, but I am going to record it and then upload it in the morning. Otherwise, the day will get away from me. Sitting up, I crawl off my bed and push open my curtains to get up. I designed my loft to suit my needs.
The windows tint so the light won’t be too bright as the sun rises in the morning, and I can adjust it myself. There’s also a closed off nook for my nest with curtains that separate the rest of my loft from my nest. It’s an omega’s dream space, if she was devoted to being alone forever.
I take care of myself during my heats, alone with knotted toys from a company called The Naughty Tote in my nest. While it’s still painful and lonely, I’m not in any danger of losing my mind or dying. That’s about the best an omega can do outside of visiting a heat clinic.
I’ve researched it, but I can’t bring myself to go. Maybe I’ll try the one that Omega’s Haven has if I’m able to plan that far ahead. My heats aren’t always regular enough for me to do that. I’ll have to ask Aisling about it.
Walking over to my closet, I change into a cute dress to wear for the recording. I’ve been so focused on work, I’m still wearing my makeup, so I check it to make sure it’s still holding up. Gazing critically at my image in the mirror, I decide to swipe a little gloss over my lips with a nod.
I have a cute little set up for videos because I tend to do content at home. When I’m in the office, I’m typically seeing clients, speaking to them on the phone, or inputting information into the computer. I’m a one omega shop, which means I do everything for the dating business.
“Lighting is good, ugh this angle needs to change,” I mutter as I shift things around on the laptop stand. “Okay, that’ll have to do.”
This video will go both on Omega’s Link because that twat Emilia posts on that app, as well as my company website, Cupid’s Call. The name allows me to both pitch fun advertising on it, and explain how dating works, whether they attend mixers or use the dating app.
This video isn’t going to be super edited or have cute music to fade in and out, I simply plan to go straight to the point.
“I am cross-posting this video, so I want to make the point of introducing myself,” I begin.
“I’m Hollis Edwards, and I have a passion for love.
I know that sounds silly, but it’s true.
I’ve never liked the idea of arranged courtships or a strict timeline to find an alpha or pack.
However, I know all too well how dangerous dating can become, so I help take the guesswork out of it. ”
Smiling at the camera, my hair curling over my shoulders, I shrug.
“I also want it to be exciting. Butterflies of anticipation, conversations that lead to long walks after dinner, all of those moments build up to a relationship that lasts. My company offers different opportunities to meet one another, but my mixers are the one I’ll be discussing here,” I explain.
“I’ve done a lot of research on this area, because sometimes, gathering together so many different people in one space can feel overwhelming,” I say.
“Alpha pheromones should never be used as a weapon, and an omega’s natural perfume can sometimes make alphas both aggressive and competitive.
I’ve been around powerful people my entire life, and like everything else, dealing with them is a delicate dance. ”
This is what Emilia never discusses on her stupid podcast. The dangers of possible ruts and fights. I have a feeling she’s never had it pass through her mind.
“I’m holding a mixer at the botanical gardens on November fifteenth.
I know that seems silly since the potential for snow is high, but I know how to pull off an event with heating, well ventilated tents, and games to keep the conversation flowing,” I say.
“I also will have security present to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and my hope is for omegas and packs to make connections.”
Taking a breath, I allow my passion to show as my gray-blue eyes sparkle with excitement. This is why I’m so good at my job.
“Cupid Call’s mixer will be free to those who attend that day, and I will personally continue to work with those who make a connection,” I say.
“I am committed to keeping omegas safe in the city I grew up in. I’m well aware of the dangers that lurk here, and champion the measures being taken to help remove them.
I know what it’s like to look over my shoulder when leaving work or having dinner with friends on my way home, which is why I’m happy the gardens have plenty of parking for this event.
Please ask someone to walk you to your car if you are at all anxious about it.
No one is going to judge you for the extra need for protection. ”
Pressing a button on my computer to have the flyer for the event appear underneath me, I decide to wrap things up.
“I’m not a judgemental person,” I say. “My dating mixer is for everyone interested in dating, but you do need to reserve a space by calling the number on the flyer. Are you a pack with children, or an omega who does? I don’t need to know the ins and outs of why unless it’ll directly affect your ability to make a true connection.
Then, I ask you to share those concerns.
I’m not a gossip, but I am a vault. The lengths I’ll go to help someone don’t exist, because they’re immeasurable.
Allowing someone to make you feel small is something that’s inexcusable.
I’m well aware there’s another event happening this day, but the organizer seems to have very distinct ideas about what a ‘good’ omega is. ”
Making a small, disgusted face, I shake my head.
“I believe in good people,” I say. “Staying small, playing it safe, and doing what you’re told because you’re afraid of making waves isn’t how I measure happiness.
The other event organizer will probably laugh at me, or think me naive, but I created this company because I had a vision.
This dating mixer is an example of that.
Think it over, and let me know if you think this would be a good fit. ”
Signing off of the video, I save it before yawning widely. People who don’t create content regularly won’t understand how exhausting it is to make. I want my personality, energy, and intent to come across in a video, which means I have to project all of that into the screen.
While I am known in certain circles as a dating coach and matchmaker, Minneapolis is a big city. I know I won’t be able to help everyone, and the event will only safely accommodate so many people, but I would be open to doing this event again.
Dragging myself up to stand, I walk to the bathroom to wash my face, brush my teeth, and then pull off my clothes to slide under my soft sheets.
There are days that I wish I had someone to snuggle and talk about my life with, yet others when I’m perfectly happy to pass out in my bed with my sound machine and mouth tape.
I’m getting ready to enter my thirties, and I completely understand what Cian said about being set in his ways. I am too, I just have to continue to tell myself this is the way it’s meant to be.
As my eyes get heavier and I slide into a deep sleep, I decide that one day I’ll believe that.