Chapter 13 Afternoon Tea
Afternoon Tea
Ondine
Iwasn’t sure what time it was when I awoke. Or where I was. Or why there were four tiny paws pressing down on my chest, the weight of a two-ton elephant. I had trouble opening my eyes (a sure sign of a long, unplanned midday nap), but when I finally got them open, the room was so bright it hurt.
And there was a black-brown, stripey kitten on me.
“Well, hello, baby,” I whisper to the kitty.
I don’t have any experience with cats, but I’ve seen others talk to them like this.
She likes my voice. I know this because she starts purring as loudly as a school bell.
I groan and get myself up. In the chair facing the bed, I find my jeans and one of Jake’s button-down shirts laid out for me.
I like Jake. He makes me smile. He’s so ridiculous.
I put his shirt on, and don’t bother with anything else, as it reaches the top of my knees, so it’s basically a dress, and walk out into the hall. I don’t hear a sound in the suite, so I don’t expect to run into anyone.
The little cat weaves through my legs and chases my feet, attacking as she sees fit.
“Can I not walk here?” I admonish the cat. There’s a fridge and I open it up, looking for something. I’m feeling depleted. Inside, there are some to-go containers, so I pull them out. There’s also an electrolyte drink. Score.
The to-go containers have an Indian curry, and it smells pretty spicy, but I’m hungry. I put it on a plate and start the microwave.
Across from the kitchen, down in a sunken room, is the white baby grand piano. It overlooks the city.
My microwave beeps. I take out the hot food and try a few bites. And devour the whole thing. But between that and the drink, I start to feel more awake. And I can’t stop staring at the piano.
I didn’t bring any of my music. I’m already sitting in front of it, though. I lift the lid and finger the keys. I have some parts of Chopin memorized and itching to come out.
It’s midday. No one is around. It shouldn’t be a problem.
I don’t start out quiet. I start out at concert level.
Like I’m racing out of the gate. I’m alone, after all.
Full access to this beautiful instrument that most likely never gets any use.
The kitten jumps up and walks up and down the piano’s edge.
I hit the keys like I’m trying to command them to bend to my will.
Chopin’s angry and chaotic music floods the suite like a broken dam.
I let myself go. God, I love this. This is why I don’t fear change.
Why I pack my bags at the bend of the course.
Why I never resist the call. Because here, I am in the most luxurious hotel in Cash City playing Chopin to the world.
I’m on top of the world.
By the time I’m done, I’m out of breath with a smile wide on my face. My shirt has fallen off my shoulder, exposing my arm.
“God, that was annoying,” a female voice says from behind me.
I turn to see a couple sitting on the couch.
The man’s arm around the woman. He’s shirtless, with only his underwear on.
She’s slightly more dressed, wearing a short, loose dress and no shoes.
Her hair is mussed, and her legs are tucked underneath her.
Her face is giving me disdain and disgust.
I can spot a pick-me from a mile away.
The man’s face is emotionless. His eyes are set wide apart, and he has that “crazy eye” look. His lips are thin, and when he opens his mouth, his smile is wide and bright. It’s actually too wide and bright, so it borders on insane. He’s got roughed up black hair. It’s Freddie Wong. Duh.
“Hello,” he says to me. Ignoring the woman cuddled up next to him. His voice is deep and sexy. A bedroom voice. She rubs his leg, and he grabs her wrist.
I raise my eyebrows and look around for anyone from Pack Meier. I come up short.
“Hello,” I finally reply.
“Who are you?” The girl asks, as obnoxiously rude as you can imagine. I fix my shirt, and the man’s eyes track my movements. No one here is particularly dressed.
“She’s my half-brother’s omega,” the man answers for me. Brother? He must mean Shadow. It’s easy to see once he says it. Different faces. Same, everything else.
“Ewe,” she says, and that’s my cue to leave.
I cannot stand when people act like immature dicks to people they don’t know.
She’s clearly a beta. Don’t ask me how I know.
It always feels like I’m being reductive, but it’s true.
Shadow’s brother is an alpha, through and through.
His size, his confidence, and his voice all lead to that conclusion.
I close the piano and stand before Freddie tries to stop me. “Don’t go. I was enjoying the music.”
“Where is Pack Meier? Aren’t they supposed to be with you?” I hate having to speak to new people. Especially around this woman who’s already champing at the bit to find something to criticize me on. Like she’s my mother.
Freddie makes me wait a moment before answering. Making me make eye contact first. “You have a sweet voice, Omega. It’s tender.”
He says it like I haven’t heard it a million times my entire life.
“Ondine. My name is Ondine. And you must be Freddie.” I pointedly ignore Miss Loose Dress.
“That I am. Your alphas are close by. After Jake stole you away to fuck you down the hall, we got a tip that the police were releasing the man who tried to kill my father. The man who was hired to kill him. We were able to nab him just as he left the station. Your alphas have the piece of shit now. Getting what information they can out of him.”
Aren’t the Meier Pack security? Why are they kidnapping people? And then getting information out of them. Perhaps I don’t really know what these men do.
I decide just to ask. He seems forthcoming enough. “Is that one of the services you require of them?”
He clicks his tongue and then says, “I would have been there with them, but Cynthia wanted to spend some time with me.” He turns to her and smiles, but it’s a weird smile. It doesn’t look right on his face. “And I can’t resist. I haven’t seen her in years.”
Cynthia preens under his attention. I resist the urge to gag. I have to try really hard because they start making out.
She moans, and he groans.
I try again to make my escape, but Freddie continues to talk to me like he didn’t just stop to shove his tongue down this woman’s mouth and slide his hand up her dress. “Don’t leave. Come join us, Omega.”
I shoot him a death glare, but he’s not looking at me. He’s looking at Cynthia.
“Let’s all have some fun together.”
“You pig!” She stands up and hits him with a pillow.
Freddie has a shit-eating grin. This is clearly a sore spot for the woman. She hits him again. “I’m leaving, Freddie! You know how much I hate omegas. They are disgusting sex slaves. And she’s your brother’s!” She hits him a third time and then exits down the hall.
Oh, this is fun.
Love being in the middle of whatever the fuck this is.
I’m staring at him, and he stares back. “I thought you’d been living at a monastery.”
He looks surprised. “You don’t think monks can fuck?”
I feel like I walked right into that one.
Cynthia comes stomping back from the hallway.
She has a blazer on over her dress and is tying on her heels while also trying to walk.
She’s telling off Freddie for being a pig and a fuck boy, and inconsiderate.
And gross. So gross. He’s gross for suggesting they have sex with an omega.
Apparently, I’m a “sopping wet, brainless half-girl.”
I can’t even be mad, because there was a time when my friends and I said all those same things about omegas.
They don’t often talk about it, but they can’t always determine if you’ll be an omega until you suddenly perfume when you’re 21 years old.
And then you have to face the fact that you might have been a bitch.
Thankfully, the cat doesn’t agree with me, because he uses this time to jump out from behind a chair and scare Cynthia to death. Nearly. I clap my hand over my mouth so I don’t burst out laughing.
Freddie doesn’t hide his laugh, though.
“Fuck you and fuck your cat!” she shouts on her way out. Thankfully, there’s a vestibule by the elevators, so the door closes quickly with her gone.
“God, she’s a bitch,” Freddie says, but not to me. To himself. He scoops up the cat and praises her for her bravery and prowess. “Come on, Ondine. Let’s hang out. I want to talk to you.”
God, I don’t want to hang out with Freddie Wong. I want to put pants on and maybe go out for a tea. I bet the restaurant here has great tea.
I keep walking away from him.
“Hey, stop,” his voice softens, “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
I tug on the hem of my shirt. He’s still making me uncomfortable. “Freddie, I’m not about to get involved in your business.”
“I like the way you say my name,” his deep and throaty voice is back suddenly.
I roll my eyes and leave the room. I get back to where Jake had me.
All three of the Meier alpha’s bags are in this room.
I put on my pants. Get a proper bra on. Then put Jake’s shirt overtop.
I brush my hair and put on a touch of makeup.
I grab my satchel and head out. Freddie stops me in the hall.
He’s come from the other way and has clothes on.
“Wait, stop, where are you going?” He nearly grabs my arm.
“To check out the restaurant. I don’t know. I’ll be back.”
“Let me go with you. It’ll be my treat.”
“I was just going to charge the room anyway, so it will be your treat no matter what.”
He widens his grin. His eyes are so wild looking. If you didn’t know he was feral, you’d know with that smile.
“I’m definitely coming then.”
I shrug. If one more fucking alpha demands my time, I’ll…do absolutely nothing about it. Fuck me.
Freddie opens the door for us. Pushes the elevator door button. Leads me in and then leads me out. He nearly takes my hand twice, and I have to jump away. He looks a bit embarrassed but shakes it off.