16. Hazelle
Chapter sixteen
Hazelle
Everyone would be here soon, and my entire body was filled with anxiety. Despite what they said, this was important, them liking me was important. They all loved Elera, and although I completely understood, I wasn’t like her. She was so calm in these situations, fully aware that her situation was stable and always had been.
I knew no matter what they thought, I’d still have a loving home, but that didn’t make the anxiety go away. Them not liking me would make things harder, and the nerves would ramp up every time they were mentioned.
I paced back and forth in Mistress Belle’s room as she got dressed. Elera and I were ready in the outfits we picked the night before, and I was excited to see what Mistress Belle had picked out for herself. She decided the theme for the evening was dark and luxurious, and of course, we all had to match. I was thankful my outfit was comfortable and didn’t make my skin crawl any more than it already was.
“Hazelle, it’s going to be okay. They’re going to love you.” Elera pulled me close, ending my pacing.
“What if they don’t? It’ll look bad for Mistress Belle. I can’t be—” Elera covered my mouth with hers, ending my speech.
“It will look bad on them because you fit perfectly. If they can’t see that, they are to blame. Not you. My Mistress would never hold that against you.” Elera leaned over, forcing me to keep eye contact when I turned my head away.
“Do you think so little of me, my pet?” Mistress Belle asked, and I whipped my head around to meet her gaze.
“No, never, Mistress Belle! It’s not—” Once again my words were cut off, but this time, it was due to the sight of my Alpha. Where I was in a deep red and Elera was in a dark blue, Mistress Belle chose purple for the evening.
The dress’ top was a gorgeous velvety plum corset with a sheer asymmetrical underlay that careened over one shoulder while the other side slid down her upper arm. It looked like the sheer portion was one piece that flowed under the corset and spilled out into a tulle skirt, revealing the dark velvet in the form of a cheeky bodysuit underneath. It was a lovely optical illusion, and I wondered how many pieces she truly had on.
My jaw hung open, and I remained frozen to the spot as she sauntered over to us, her tall black stilettos clicking against the floor.
“Speechless, I see.” Her manicured finger pressed my mouth closed before her red lips met mine. “It’s nice having a reminder of how much I affect you, my pet.”
I knew my pheromones were filling the room, and embarrassment filled me. We had company arriving any minute, and I had to get them under control.
Instead of chastising me like my old Alpha would, Mistress Belle leaned forward and inhaled them from my neck, holding me close to her body.
“They won’t have a single thing to fuss about if they smell you all hot and bothered from one little kiss, my pet. You have nothing to worry about.” I knew she meant it, but not everyone felt the same. I was broken in their eyes for more than one reason. It did help knowing she was infertile too. They’d never mention it to her without fear of her wrath, and I would never have to hear it without swift retribution.
My pheromones were another story… As I was constantly told, “with pheromones as strong as yours, how can you have such a useless Omega body?” I didn’t have an answer, and if Mistress Belle had been there, that question would have had a different answer. One where a stilettoed goddess backhanded an undeserving Alpha.
That image made me smile and forget about my anxiety for a moment.
Everything would be fine because I was hers, and she protected her pets with every ounce of her being. The world saw us as the devoted ones, lounging at her feet at parties and doing everything she commanded, but she was just as devoted, it just looked different from that end.
“I know, Mistress Belle. Well, the logical side of me knows… I’d never doubt you. Not intentionally.” I looked down, mesmerized by her flowing skirt that hit high on her thighs. I toyed with the hem, watching the fabric shimmer as the light hit it.
“Of course you wouldn’t. Now, final looks. Give me a twirl. I want my pets to shine tonight.” Elera and I giggled as we stepped away and spun.
She was so graceful, but I made a poor choice and spun too hard, forgetting the stockings I wore made the bare floors treacherous. I slipped and fell into Elera who caught me easily, but I almost took us both down. Thankfully, the gasps we all let out turned to laughter again as I stood up straight, my cheeks burning red.
“Perhaps those weren’t the best choice given the flooring we have in the house. Let’s get you some shoes so we don’t have an ER visit tonight.” Mistress Belle smiled down at me, and I tried smiling back, but it came across as more of a grimace. I didn’t want to fall and embarrass them, so I agreed, but I wasn’t used to anything more than slippers.
On our way to my room, the bell rang, and I turned to look down the hall, my eyes wide and heart racing. “Should we—”
“No, Simon will let them in. We can make a grand entrance as soon as you have safer footwear. I don’t want to worry about you hurting yourself all evening.” I nodded and followed along.
She picked out a pair of deep red velvet slippers that were near black in dim lighting. I slipped them on and breathed a sigh of relief, knowing I wasn’t going to slip down the stairs and cause a big mess for everyone.
We made our way to the entrance, descending down the stairs. Voices traveled from the sitting room, and my steps faltered, but I kept going behind Mistress Belle and Elera.
At first, I was blocked by Mistress Belle as we entered the room, her aura doing me a great service.
“As sultry as ever, Bella.” I glanced around her and met the eyes of an older woman who was a near spitting image of Mistress Belle, only a little shorter, less curvy, and her long gray hair was up in a neat bun.
Her floral dress was form fitting with a high slit and a ruched bodice and her white heels were half the height of her daughter’s. Next to her was a slender man with strawberry blond hair and light brown eyes. His smile was kind as he looked down at me. He was shorter than his mom but taller than Elera from what I could tell.
“Hi. You must be Hazelle.” Roe ignored his mother and sister and came straight for me.
“Yes. Hi.” I glanced at Elera who was by my side as Mistress Belle occupied Farah for the time being. Thankfully, the sitting room was rather large, so I didn’t feel completely suffocated.
“Nice to see you again, Roe. We didn’t know if you’d be coming, but I’m glad you’re here.” She smiled at him, and he nodded to the others in the room.
“And miss playing goalkeeper? Never.” They laughed together, and I hid my giggle behind my hand. “Alphas really aren’t as scary as you think.” His smile was bright and carefree, but mine fell. Elera placed her hand on my shoulder with a serious look on her face. She was biting her tongue to not make a scene, but I knew she wanted to speak up about my past, about how his statement was far from true.
“Once again you speak on something you know nothing about, Roe. Sit down, and behave.”
Mistress Belle flicked the side of his head before turning to me. “I will have a word with him later. He’s had a soft cushiony life, and maybe a little taste of an angry Alpha will give him perspective.” Mistress Belle patted my head and faced the room.
“This is Hazelle, my newest pet and our Omega. I won’t go into details, but she had quite a life before I found her, and we are quite smitten with our little addition.” Mistress Belle pushed me forward so everyone in the room could see me. Her hand remained on my back, just as Elera’s stayed on my shoulder. A silent act of support as I greeted everyone.
“Hello.” I tried to put on my best smile and keep my hands from shaking as I waved at them. A woman I assumed was Nyla waved back at me with a baby in her lap and a smile on her face. “I’m so—I’m so grateful for Mistress Belle and Elera, and I’m pleased to meet all of you.” Sweat formed on my forehead and neck as I remembered the past times where I was introduced to a room of Alphas.
This was the first time outside of the party, and smaller gatherings were more Oros’ speed. I knew it wasn’t the same. I reminded myself of that, but still, the fear lingered and my pheromones bloomed.
They all sat forward, and I stepped back into Mistress Belle.
“I hope you got her for a reasonable price.” Raylan stood and eyed me up and down, his hazel eyes taking every part of me in. I shrank further into Mistress Belle, but she remained tall and regal behind me.
Adira scoffed at her father. “This is why no one wants to invite you anywhere.”
“Is that so, Adira?” Raylan’s attention flew to her, and unlike me, she didn’t fall under his gaze.
“It is. If you want people to enjoy your company, try not being a cynical asshole.” Adira cocked her head, her green eyes piercing into her father’s with ease.
The bits of hair that weren’t gray matched the darkness of his daughter’s, but that’s where the similarities ended. She was muscular and had gorgeous angles to her face. Raylan’s was softer, but I couldn’t tell if it was due to age or if he always had softer features for an Alpha.
Adira stood, brushing by her father. Her flowing red dress skirting around her thighs. “Welcome to the family, Hazelle. I’m sure you and Nyla will get along well. Bella let a few tidbits slip, and you are always welcome at our home any time you’d like to see her or Lettie.”
“Oh, uh, thank you.” I kept my gaze on the ground, eyeing her leather flats. They were much more sensible than anything Mistress Belle would wear. Maybe Lettie had something to do with that.
“Speaking of, it’s time for her to eat. Shall we get settled or are we waiting even longer to enjoy this family meal?” Adira spoke to Mistress Belle. Their heights would be comparable if my Alpha was in flats.
“I believe we have a little more time before dinner is served. I wanted everyone to get to know Hazelle before we stuffed our faces and no one said a word.” I was entranced by Mistress Belle as she spoke so easily with everyone. I never had it this easy even with people I was the closest with. Elera was close though. I’d get there eventually.
“Very well.” Adira nodded and went to her seat at the back. She and Nyla chose two large chairs next to each other where Raylan was on the three-seater couch to my right and Farah and Roe to my left.
Mistress Belle leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Sit next to Nyla. I’ll take the seat between you and Raylan.”
I did as I was told and took my seat, eyeing the adorable baby in Nyla’s arms as Mistress Belle sat beside me and Elera took the remaining spot next to Roe. The couches were large, so fitting more people was feasible, but this was enough for me.
“Welcome again, Hazelle. Addie’s right. I think we’ll get along really well.” Nyla had a lovely smile on her face as she scooted forward in her seat, moving us closer together. I smashed myself against the arm of the couch so we were even closer, and I could avoid the glances of the others for now.
“Thank you…” I whispered. “How old is Lettie?” She wasn’t a newborn, but I didn’t think she was moving into toddlerhood either.
“About nine months.” Lettie gnawed on a star shaped teether and babbled with a few mamas mixed in. “It’s been… a lot.” Nyla laughed and kissed Lettie’s cheek before blowing a raspberry, making Lettie laugh hysterically at the act. “You and Elera can borrow her any time if you decide you don’t want to sleep for the night.”
I snorted and covered my mouth. “I’d be happy to, but I don’t have much experience in that area. Do you know?” I asked sheepishly.
“Yes. Addie told me. I’m so sorry, but I don’t see you as any less, so please don’t worry about that where we are concerned.” Nyla leaned forward and placed her hand on my arm which rested on the armrest. “Really, Hazelle. It doesn’t matter to me. As long as you’re happy here with Bellamira and Elera. That’s what’s important.”
My eyes watered as I smiled at her. How did I get to be so lucky to have two people who loved me and now a friend as well?
“I am. I really am.”