21. Hazelle
Chapter twenty-one
Hazelle
Elera did not exaggerate on Bram’s decor. It was everything she said and more. Each piece of furniture, accessory, and art was handpicked to fashion a gaudy Victorian air. Where Catalina was gaudy and pastel, this was the opposite in neutral dark colors. Greens, browns, and blacks covered the space with bits of red, orange, and yellow here and there.
I wanted to hate it, but I didn’t. It was more welcoming than I could have predicted. Although Mistress Belle and Elera didn’t seem as infatuated with the design as I was, it didn’t deter my gaping at every piece. It was the maximalist nature themed version of Mistress Belle’s designs, and maybe that was why I enjoyed it so much.
“Welcome!” a loud voice boomed from the top of the double spiral staircase that led to a large balcony above the library we were in.
This party was much smaller than Catalina’s. Only twenty or so people were here. Perrin and Catalina included. I couldn’t wait to say hi to them, but my eyes were transfixed on the man above us.
His dark olive skin tone glowed against his black silky hair that fell in curls to his shoulders.
“I am so very pleased all of you decided to join me today. As you know, my parties are small, intimate, and there’s always something new,” he paused, his eyes locking on me, and I almost missed the slight widening in his eyes. Elera was right once again. Bram would be requesting time with me tonight. He continued, “to try.” Bram cleared his throat and brushed back his hair. “Excuse me. This night just got more interesting.” He flashed a bright smile, holding his composure as I glanced at Elera behind Mistress Belle’s back. She shrugged, and I wondered what it meant.
“Now, if you’ll all head into the dining room, we can have our dinner before venturing off for a little fun.” He gestured toward the double doors to his left, and everyone started ushering themselves that way.
Bram made his way down the stairs, only stopping to speak with a servant for a moment. He had on perfectly tailored black slacks, dark green loafers, and a forest green button up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and a few buttons undone. He was a combination of lavish and calm.
“Bellamira, I am so glad you joined us this evening despite the late invite. I woke up wanting to have a little fun today and had Sierra throw this together last minute.” Although his attention was on Mistress Belle, his body was angled more toward me.
“I could never decline an invite from you, Bram. Your parties come only second to Catalina’s.”
He snorted. “I wish I could say I believed you. Her parties are lovely, but neither of us live in the realm of pastel.”
“Ah, but she’s my closest friend. That adds more points than you could imagine.”
Bram nodded and clapped his hands together. “Of course. How silly of me. Now, let’s head in. I had my chef plan a lovely dinner, a perfect balance before the festivities of the night. Speaking of,” he paused and glanced back at me as Elera and I followed him and Mistress Belle into the dining room where everyone was taking their seats. Two seats were left at the end, and I knew he had planned this from the beginning.
“You would like to request Hazelle, correct?”
“You know me so well, Bellamira. Of course I would, and considering you knew that and accepted my invite, shall I assume the answer is yes?” Bram pulled out the chair to his right, minding the two cushions next to it.
“That’s a lot of assumptions, Bram. Be careful, or you’ll get into trouble.” Mistress Belle placed our chains on the back of her chair before sitting down, and Bram pushed her chair in.
“I did ask, did I not? And perhaps I could make another request? I’d love for your new pet to sit between us so she may get to know me a little better tonight.”
“I’ll allow it. Hazelle, please take that cushion.” I nodded and did as I was told, sitting down between the two Alphas while dinner was served. “As for your other request, I agree to it as well. You can use Hazelle tonight, but you do know my rules.”
“Of course.” Bram placed one leg over his other knee, leaning back in his chair. “I wouldn’t dream of doing it any other way.” His smile was bright but tight, but I didn’t mention anything, not with him so close. Maybe it was just my past coming back to haunt me, or maybe my instincts were telling me something the rest of me couldn’t pinpoint.
Bram and Mistress Belle chatted as the servants went around with dinner, the Alphas being served first, then the owned Betas and Omegas.
The main course was seared scallops with a bacon-braised chard and a side of roasted honey lemon carrots. The texture was unlike anything I had had before, but I enjoyed it nonetheless, especially the carrots. Dessert was similar to Catalina’s party where we got to pick from an array of options from a cart. Mistress Belle chose a blueberry lemon tart while Bram picked a strawberry lemon pavlova. Elera went with the option that had the most chocolate, a chocolate cake with white chocolate icing and dark chocolate drizzle. I needed something comforting and familiar, so I stuck with chocolate covered strawberries.
“Excellent choice, Hazelle. Fruit, in general, is a favorite of mine for dessert, but it needs something to elevate it, make it an elegant experience. Have you ever had a pavlova?” I looked up at Mistress Belle who nodded in approval, telling me I could answer him as I pleased.
“No, I haven’t. The scallops were new enough, so I chose something I knew I enjoyed for dessert.” I stuck a small strawberry in my mouth, and the chocolate stuck to all sides.
“Ah, I see. You haven’t experienced much in the way of food have you?” Bram took a bite of his fruit covered pavlova, then showed me the inside. “The outside is a crunchy shell with a marshmallowy center. The acidic fruit balances the sweetness perfectly.”
“It looks lovely. It’s like a marshmallow?”
“In a sense. It’s described as marshmallowy because it has a shell with a sweet and fluffy center. I wouldn’t say they are equivalent, but it’s as close as you’ll get without the real thing. Would you like to try one?” He waved over a servant as I debated.
“Yes, please. It sounds like it will go well with my chocolate strawberries.” All three of them chuckled before Bram instructed the servant to bring a plain pavlova.
“It might be a little sweet, my pet, but I think you’ll enjoy it. You have a thing for sugar, after all.” Mistress Belle cupped my cheek and wiped a little dribble of chocolate from my lips. “And messes it seems.”
“So that’s why Elera is so infatuated. You chose well, Bellamira.”
“Did you doubt me, Bram? How foolish of you.”
Bram burst into laughter, drawing the attention of the entire room. “No, never, Bellamira. Never.”
The servant returned with a pavlova free of any toppings and handed me the plate. I took a bite of a strawberry, then one of the pavlova, combining the textures and flavors in my mouth. It was as delicious as he said with an amazing texture.
“Oh! I love it!” After three bites, I had to stop, not wanting to overindulge and become sick before we went upstairs, but maybe I should… I was becoming more at ease with Bram, but there was still something that poked at the back of my mind, telling me something was off.
“Well, I will make sure to have a special one set aside for you whenever you three join me for a party. I want all my guests to feel welcomed and pampered.”
“Spoiled, Bram. You mean spoiled,” the Alpha to Bram’s left said. He was a bit older, with gray around his temples.
“Is that a bad thing, Ellis?” Bram set his elbow on the table and held his head up with his hand, grinning at the Alpha.
“I wouldn’t say so, no.” He had a deep laugh, and I hoped he spilled that joy into every part of his life. “I don’t plan on missing one of your parties for that reason.”
“Glad to hear it. You and Miles always bring a special flair to the party. Even when there aren’t any new things to amuse me, I can always count on you for a show… or two.” Bram winked, and the laughter continued.
The uneasiness from before subsided, and excitement filled the space. I wondered how Bram would be, if he was like Perrin and Mistress Belle in bed, taking what he wants but giving everything he has.
Tea was served, and Bram explained that it was a special blend to help digestion to prevent any upset stomachs or other mishaps that evening. Everyone had to finish their cup before they were allowed to leave the table. No one complained, and apparently, it was a rule he had them agree to before coming.
Mistress Belle told me that a few Alphas were kicked out for not wanting to comply and thinking it was a joke in the invitation. Bram assured them it was not a joke and had his security kick them out without a second thought.
“Well, the night is young, and I believe we should continue on our little journey of trying new things, don’t you think, Bellamira?” Bram pushed back his chair and stood before pulling hers out.
“Very well. I do love a good show, so please impress me tonight.” Mistress Belle winked at me, although she was talking to Bram. “Show the way, Bram. What room shall we be in tonight?” Mistress Belle stumbled slightly as she stood from her chair, glaring at the drinks she had over dinner. “Your bartender has a heavy pour, Bram.”
“My apologies. He has a list of everyone and what they prefer. Do I need to update your card?”
She waved him off. “Oh no, it was a compliment. Everything was perfect as always.”
Bram moved past us, showing us the way out of the room through the library where other servants were directing guests to their designated spaces, keeping it all organized so they knew what spaces were used. I cocked my head at the head servant who was quietly barking orders and making notes in her notebook.
“Thank you as always, Sierra. Never leave me.” Bram kissed her on the cheek as he walked by.
“You own me, Bram.” She rolled her eyes with a smile. That was far more telling than his behavior toward Mistress Belle, Elera, and me. His servants were happy to be owned by him and felt free to banter with him.
I smiled at her as we passed, and more of the nerves fell away.
We made our way upstairs, but it felt like a maze, going down hall after hall of the same decor as the first floor. I wanted to roam around and see everything, but I knew it wasn’t the time for it.
Opening a large mahogany door, Bram let us enter first. A large four poster bed with matching dark wooden furniture filled the room. Dark green heavy drapes covered the windows. A dark flower covered rug laid in the center of the room, taking over most of the floor. The bedding was a dark blue with black trim.
I wanted to burrow myself in the blankets and sleep the rest of the night. The meal was perfect, calm flowed through me, and although the small amount of slick forming between my legs said I was excited to spend the evening with Bram, I’d take sleeping with Elera and Mistress Belle over sex with him.
“Does every room look the same, Bram? I haven’t seen one that goes against your aesthetic.” Mistress Belle grazed her hand against a post of the bed, letting the soft wood slide under her fingertips.
“One. Maybe I will show it to you one day. Care to guess which room it is?” He made eye contact with all of us, one by one.
“Game room?” Elera guessed.
“Nope.”
“A gaudy tea room that reminds me too much of Catalina?”
“You jest, Bellamira.” His face was blank, but his tone was humorous.
“Green house?”
“Right on, Hazelle.” Shock coated my face. “It’s the only room that has a vibrancy that can’t be matched by anything other than true nature itself. I have every color of flower you could imagine. Some are rare. Some are poisonous. Bits and pieces of every one I can get my hands on. Even the fruit we had tonight was grown onsite. Can you believe it?”
“Impressive, Bram. I might have to steal that idea.”
“Please do, Bellamira. I will have Sierra send Simon the details.” He gave a nod of his head with a smile, enjoying the fact that others valued his ideas as much as he did.
Mistress Belle, as last time, adjusted a large chair in the room to be facing the bed. I made a note to ask why she didn’t partake and simply liked to watch as one of us pleased her, but knowing Mistress Belle she’d say something about how she enjoys watching others find pleasure in something that they can never truly have. They’d get a taste, but we were hers. It’s a power play, and I beamed, knowing I was a part of it.
“Shall we?” Mistress Belle sat down, crossing her legs before taking a deep breath and shaking her head slightly.
Bram untucked his shirt and unbuttoned it as he stepped toward me. Leaning forward, he whispered in my ear, “I can’t wait to have you, Hazelle.” His scent of patchouli and lemon swept over me, and my slick went into overdrive. “I can smell you. It calls to me, and my cock begs to fuck you like no one ever has.”
I gulped, and all the nerves from before came rushing back. What had gotten into me?