Chapter 1 #3
When Bird and I both forget that we’re meant to be in hiding and growl, Ollie’s gaze snaps to meet ours.
He rolls his eyes and then, when the two Alphaholes he is with aren’t looking, he winks.
Then he hurriedly raises the suitcases in a seamless move to block the guests’ view of us.
I draw back into the shadows.
I grin, flooded with a thrill at the danger because it’s been over two years since I’ve had more excitement than scrubbing toilets or been so desperate with the nesting instinct during my pregnancy that I cleaned the entire Omega dorms, including the walls and inside kitchen cupboards.
I don’t do well with authority, however, and I have felt like there has been a hand at my throat slowly choking me ever since the Alcotts broke their promise to bond me.
My Head Alpha thinks that I’m a disgrace to the family name.
Fuck her.
Zoe is the best thing to ever happen to me.
I may be the only single Mom in the hotel, but every staff member and HO loves and supports both Zoe and me.
We are the Sinner pack, all one hundred of us.
I’m not alone.
When I scan across to the gold elevators at the back of the lobby that leads to the rest of the hotel, I catch sight of a large, barrel chested Alpha. He is dressed in a designer black suit and shiny shoes.
He appears to be in his fifties and has the look of a mafia boss who likes to pretend that he made his money legitimately through casinos.
My lips thin.
He is going to be trouble.
He storms toward the reception.
When he slams his paw of a hand down on the counter, Michah straightens his back but his polite smile doesn’t waver.
He's a real pro.
Michah is a tall, muscled Beta who is dressed in an elegant blazer. He is in his thirties and has worked reception for over a decade. He was personally chosen by Maya because he was the most beautiful of the Betas and so would provide the best first impression of the hotel.
Michah’s black hair is tied back with a violet ribbon, his skin is peachy, and he has large, midnight brown eyes,
His charm can normally disarm any guest.
Apparently, not this guest.
“I called earlier and requested Omega Three in the fucking catalog,” the Alpha growls. “But it was Omega Twelve who turned up.”
Next to me, Bird freezes.
Shit, he’s Omega Three.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Michah replies, smoothly. “But as I told you on the phone, Mr. Riva, Omega Three is already with another guest right now.”
My eyes widen.
Michah is lying.
Why?
He’s taking a fucking risk.
“Nobody says no to me, and certainly not some jumped up little Beta like you.”
“It’s my mistake. I’ll send up some complimentary champagne and—”
“You’ll send up that Frost bitch for the day. My pheromones are unbalanced by my own sweet Omega not being able to travel with me because she’s down with the flu, and I want to enjoy seeing what it’s like to spend time with the bitch the Frosts wouldn’t even allow me to court.”
Next to me, Bird’s breathing is panicked and labored.
I drag him to face me, pressing our foreheads together.
He’s trembling.
I turn his head, licking his neck, one Omega comforting the other.
But how much can I truly help him?
Michah must have known about this Alpha’s danger to Bird. Michah is the king of gossip here in reception.
How many times has he put himself in danger for Bird?
Michah simply stares back, unblinkingly. “Do you want to choose another HO?”
Mr. Riva reaches across the counter and snatches Michah by the tie. “What I want is to kick your knotless ass. I’ll be making a complaint about your attitude to your boss. I bring a lot of business into these hotels across the country. I hope that you’re thoroughly disciplined, Beta.”
“Is there anything else that I can help you with, sir?” Michah simply rasps.
“Michah is badass but he’s going to get himself throttled with his own tie or beaten to death by Mom when she hears about the complaint.
If this dickhead Alpha insists on having an Omega for Christmas, then let him have me.
Michah had better not say that I never do anything for him. ” Bird pulls his hand out of mine.
My pulse jumps.
“Don’t,” I hiss.
Before I can stop him, however, Bird rushes out into the light of the lobby.
I slam my hand against the wall of the corridor in frustration, still hidden in shadows.
Futilely, I watch as Bird ducks his head, playing at shy and submissive.
“Busy, huh?” Mr. Riva snorts.
Michah looks for a brief moment as horrified as I am, before he schools his face back into a calm, pleasant mask. “He must have just finished and received my summons.”
“Is that so?” Mr. Riva walks around my brother with a smug delight. “Then count yourself lucky that I’m too busy to bother with complaints.”
He snaps his fingers at Bird like he’s a dog, gesturing at Bird to follow him as he swaggers off toward the elevators.
I slump in the archway, as my brother walks away from me and safety and into the arms of another dangerous elite.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Someone is behind me.
If I hadn’t been so caught up in my despair, then I would have noticed.
“What did I tell you,” a deep voice barks, “about the danger of breaking the rules to spy on the guests?”