Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
An omega boss?
An Omega leader of a pack?
Are Lionzio and Zero pranking me? Because even if they’re liberals, which would mean that Zero is performing at the wrong fucking hotel, then surely even they wouldn’t admit so casually that an Omega is in charge of them.
My hands are sweaty.
I want it to be true so much that my teeth hurt.
“I also haven’t seen a twenty inch knotted cock shaped like a candy cane,” Icarus says, dryly. “But I still know that it doesn’t exist.”
Piper narrows his eyes. “Rude.”
“Well, then you’re clearly not hanging out at the right clubs.” Zero runs his hand suggestively down to his crotch.
It’s Lionzio, to my shock, who snatches the much larger Alpha by the tie and shoves him back against the wall.
“My Omega sister, Harley, led an uprising in the mafia underworld that freed my entire pack. She’s a fierce cage fighter, and despite my adoptive dad using Omegas as nothing but prizes in the fights, she showed me repeatedly the strength within Omegas.
I spent my life protecting her, but ultimately, she protected me.
And this man here, my Omega, is her Alpha’s younger brother.
He took me in when I was alone, friendless, and lost. He gave me a job, even if I didn’t deserve one.
He welcomed me into movie nights and showed me how to function as something more than a worthless Alpha with blood on my hands.
So, say what you like about me but don’t ever doubt his ability. ”
Piper shrugs away from me, resting his hand gently on Lionzio’s back. “I think that he’s got the point. I’m awesome.”
I know that Icarus is allowing himself to be held in place by Lionzio. He could break free any moment that he wants.
Yet I can also see how guilty he feels. He only said out loud what we were both thinking.
Yet Icarus has also become ashen from pain. He’s sweating with the effort of not showing the agony from his injured ribs.
I bite my lip hard not to say anything.
Icarus’ gaze slides over Lionzio’s shoulder to Piper. “I’ve gathered that. I’m sorry.”
Piper assesses him, shrewdly. “Are you?”
“I’ve been trapped in this hotel since my parents abandoned my brother and me,” Icarus explains.
“I believed that things worked the same amongst other packs, as they do with the guests who visit here. I’ve seen a lot over the years, and none would ever allow an Omega to lead.
Omegas work within this hotel but they have no authority.
The Frost Omegas have wealth but no power.
Ellington may have power over me because of his social status. But under his Alpha, he’s powerless.”
“Piper was chosen on merit.” Lionzio’s expression shutters. “I will only have equality within my pack.”
He says it as a simple statement.
But it’s revolutionary.
Excitement rushes through me. Could I truly have found the chance at a pack with true equality?
Icarus looks flustered. “What if I’m dominant too?”
Zero claps. “How about Piper and you mud wrestle for control? I’ll watch.”
“You can be the Chief Alpha. It’s only a title,” Piper replies. “It has nothing to do with our roles at work, yeah? Nothing to do with our established dynamic. Just don’t go around setting up new rules or giving out orders because advanced warning, I won’t be following them.”
I chuckle. “What’s the name of your pack then?”
Zero’s expression suddenly becomes unexpectedly blank.
He hesitates, before he replies, “The Idols.”
I glance between them.
I guess that it would be too revolutionary to call their pack after the Omega, and Piper may not want the stigma of the Wolf name.
But why haven’t they taken the Alpha’s pack name? Unless Lionzio lost that right when he ran from his mafia family?
Lionzio lets go of Icarus’ tie, smoothing it down.
Then his expression creases with concern, as he studies Icarus more closely. “Did I handle you too roughly? Hurt you? You’re in pain.”
“I’m not.” Icarus avoids his eye.
“I know exactly what it looks like to hide pain. I’ve spent most of my life doing the same trick, after being roughed up by my dad, then having to act like the boss around the rest of the pack.
So…” Lionzio runs his hands over Icarus with a worrying level of practice, until he prods hard enough at his ribs to make him hiss out. “…fractured ribs.”
Zero looks horrified. “I am kicking your bloody arse, Lion. You don’t know your own strength.”
Icarus shrugs away from Zero. “It wasn’t you. I’m made of tougher stuff than that. I was trying to save Grace’s brother, who is a Hotel Omega, from being sent to a guest over Christmas. He’s dangerously overworked. Let’s just say that my Omega boss didn’t agree.”
My guts churn with dread when I think what Bird may have been faced with when his hotel door opened.
And it won’t have been his soul mate, scent match, and a sexy Beta holding an elf boot.
Zero looks down, troubled. “We can find a way to help your brother, love. I know what it’s like to be overworked like that. I’ve seen friends almost die from it. Any way that I can help, I’m here for you, yeah?”
I stare at him.
My Sinner pack, the staff and HOs will support and do anything for each other.
Yet I have come to accept that bonded packs are merely for business, political, or status reasons and not love.
Will these men prove me wrong?
“We’ll be careful with you.” Piper slowly approaches Icarus. “May I nuzzle you?”
Icarus raises his eyebrow. “Do you still want to?”
“Of course.” Then he looks vulnerable. “Or don’t you want me as your Omega now that you know I’m not submissive and shit?”
Icarus snorts. “Have you met Grace? Look, Piper…”
“Pip.”
“Pip, I’ve had to hold it together in front of the cameras in the hotel’s corridors to act the strict, Traditional Alpha, running an entire hotel.
It’s not who I truly am. Yet every mistake has been on my shoulders.
Naturally, I have taken the protector boss role, which has been crushing.
Grace here, however, has a spirit that is anything but submissive.
You remind me of her, and believe me, it is attractive.
I adore Grace as much as it sounds like your Alpha here adores you.
” Both Piper and I blush. “I am ecstatic that she has found her soulmate. Plus, the idea of two such wild Omegas in a nest together makes me want to…”
He grabs the tiny Omega by the scruff of the neck, dragging him closer and whispering into his ear.
Slowly, Piper’s blush deepens. His eyelashes flutter.
Piper licks his lips. “Wow, I didn’t know that anyone could rival Zero for dirty talk. Who knew that such freaky kinkiness could beat beneath such a stuffy suit?”
I smother my laughter behind my hand.
When Icarus growls, Piper soothes the Alpha by grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and dragging him into a deep kiss.
It doesn’t matter that Piper is so much smaller than the Alpha. He is in charge of that kiss, and I have never seen anything as hot, especially as the two men are battling each other for dominance.
Icarus snarls into the kiss, ignoring his injured ribs like I knew he would, lifting Piper up into the air. Piper carefully wraps his legs around the Alpha’s waist without breaking the kiss.
Finally, they part for air, both looking dazed.
“Or such good kisses.” Piper swoops in to claim another kiss. “Put me down before you hurt yourself.”
“You’re worth some pain.”
Zero elegantly stands up from the couch, swaggering to me and swinging me into his arms.
I stare at his tantalizing lips.
Please, kiss me.
Unfortunately, Lionzio clears his throat, breaking the spell. “Is this official then? I need to be clear.”
Zero plays with the buttons on my top. “Can’t we just…?”
“We’re getting to know each other.” Piper wriggles closer to Icarus, licking up his neck. I’m possessive of Icarus but because it’s my Omega soulmate, it only makes me happy to see them together like this. Plus, turned on too and desperate to nest with them. “And each other’s lips.”
“And cocks,” Zero adds, “hopefully.”
Yet I feel like Zero is using the physical to cover something emotional. His love for Piper was obvious, when he spoke about him to me on the stage. He’s a performer, and right now, he’s putting on a performance to cover something up.
Or is it to protect himself?
Reluctantly, Icarus lowers Piper to the floor with a final kiss. “I admire someone who is as detail focused as I am. So, I should be clear. My Omega has fallen for you three.”
“Hey, leave me some mystery,” I squeak in protest.
Zero laughs, pulling me more firmly against his chest.
“Relationships between staff, however, let alone romantic ones with guests are strictly forbidden.” Icarus’ expression becomes serious.
“We would lose everything if our love was discovered. It must appear that I have simply dropped a HO off here. We can figure out what we are going to do after the Christmas period. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Wings.” Piper salutes.
“You’re mocking me, aren’t you?” Icarus crosses his arm.
“What gave me away?”
“My name isn’t Wings.”
“It is now.”
“Nicknames are Pip’s love language,” Lion mutters. “At least he isn’t calling you Roar.”
I chuckle. “Zoe is going to love that.”
Lionzio’s expression gentles. “Then maybe she could call her plushie Roar.”
Icarus is glancing between Lionzio and me with a complicated expression. “No matter the risk, what my Omega wants, I’ll fight for. So, do you all want to become part of the Sinner pack?”
“Straight talker, isn’t he?” Zero drawls.
Piper exchanges a glance with Zero.
Instantly, Zero stiffens, uncomfortable.
“How about we court each other?” Piper replies. “I want us all to have time to make the choice about shit like bonding. Emotional and romantic decisions should take time, you know? Some of us move at a slower pace.”
Somehow, I feel like he’s really talking to Zero.
When I glance at Zero questioningly, he ducks his head.