Chapter Three
Oren
I hadn’t made it to the club the night after the will clients.
Just as I was about to go out the door, another partner had poked his head in and asked for a short meeting.
Of course, I said yes. I was still proving myself here, and saying hey, I need to go flog an omega would not have gone over well.
And although things would have still been hopping at Crowned when I finally finished up at eleven, I just didn’t have the energy.
And I had an early meeting—so I went home to bed.
This would not always be the case, I promised myself as I crawled between the sheets, eyelids already closing.
One day, I’d have time to enjoy myself. Wasn’t it the reason I was doing all of this?
To be able to move home to my little beachy island town?
And Crowned would be there when I got there.
From what I heard, it was only growing in popularity every day.
Finally, on Friday night, I made sure I got out of the office in time to pop home for a shower and fresh clothes.
Whether I played or just visited with some of the other alphas, it would be a good chance to clear my head and remember that work was not the only valid part of life.
Important, sure. But all work and no play and all of that.
My club clothes were way at the back of my closet, the result of not having used them much, but lunchtime workouts at the firm’s on-site gym made it possible for me to still fit in them.
My suits might be tailored, but my black leather pants were intended to look nearly painted on. I could sit in them—barely.
Entering the foyer, I could feel tension oozing out of my muscles. I hadn’t been aware of it, not much, anyway, but I promised myself to go more often. It would make me a better lawyer, right?
Or at least a happier one.
I handed over my phone, a strict policy in order to protect the privacy of those who might not want their personal lives splashed all over someone’s social media. People of all walks of life belonged, some prominent members of the community, a few famous enough that even I recognized them.
My device would be locked safely away until I was ready to go. The subbie who manned the front desk gave me a friendly smile. “Have a nice evening, sir.”
We’d played together once right after I joined, and while it was nice, I rarely repeated a session with anyone. It could imply more than I intended it to, and I never wanted to mislead. “You, too, Sasha.”
“Alpha Gatlin and Alpha Evander are in the conversation area tonight,” she offered helpfully as I reached the doorway.
“They’re both off on the same night?” Surprising, for the head of security and chef, both also owners.
“Yes, sir.” Another smile before she turned her attention to a couple coming in through the front door. “Good evening.”
The two alphas in question had been a big reason I decided to join Crowned to begin with.
After moving to town, where I’d known nobody, I’d found a mention of an upcoming munch in a lifestyle newsletter and decided to attend.
It was held at a local twenty-four-hour diner.
While not specifically a Crowned event, there were a number of members there, and I enjoyed the evening of conversation and good food so much, I accepted an invitation from Gatlin to visit the club.
Evander, I met on my first night here, when I complimented the delicious appetizers and he came out of the kitchen to thank me personally.
A play session with a male omega topped it off.
It was a magical night and left me feeling relaxed and much lighter than when I walked in.
And promised myself I’d come at least once a week.
Okay…that hadn’t happened, yet, but as I moved deeper into the club, I renewed my vow.
Sure, I was saving up for an early retirement or at least to have enough money to be able to go into practice on my island, but my tendency to look toward the future without enjoying the present was how so many in my profession developed health problems. Even shifters who were immune to so many diseases could be affected by stress.
I found my friends seated in the conversation area just off the main floor.
Comfortable couches and chairs surrounded low tables where members could enjoy food and drinks and talk about whatever they wanted.
One of the few places where we could be ourselves and discuss what we had in common. Or…anything.
“I can’t believe my eyes.” Gatlin stood up and reached out a hand, shaking mine. “I thought you had just decided to pay membership fees for the honor of belonging, since you never take advantage of the facilities anymore.”
“It’s not that bad.” I plopped down on the sofa next to Evander and greeted him as well. “You’d think I was kidnapped by aliens.”
“Well, we wondered.” The chef, dressed in black jeans and a leather vest, held a lowball glass. Scotch. Always his choice on a night off, I understood. “So, no aliens?”
“No, just work.”
“It’s going to kill you,” Gatlin said, sitting in the leather armchair to my right. “Life is too short. Even for wolf shifters.”
“When you’re right…”
A server showed up then, and we paused our conversation long enough for me to order a bourbon water and refills for my friends.
Looked like it was a talking rather than a scening evening.
Most of us would not have more than one drink before binding a submissive omega to anything…
or whatever their thing was. And I didn’t mind, really.
I added an appetizer platter, and Evander made some changes to the standard version—the improvements to what was already tasty the advantage of hanging out with the chef—before we resumed our conversation.
Moments later, glass in hand, I relaxed, listening more than contributing, just enjoying being here.
Our position gave a good view of the St. Andrew’s cross where an alpha I hadn’t met was playing with a sexy sub about half his age.
But their chemistry was crazy good, and that always made the watching even better.
As I enjoyed the passionate play, an omega crossed my line of sight.
He had an air about him that caught my attention, and his tight-fitting jeans and T-shirt showed off a body any alpha would love to caress.
But when he turned in my direction, and I zeroed in on his face, most of it was covered by a mask.
On my feet, instantly, I started for him, intrigued, but before I reached his side, he’d melted into the crowd.
On a busy night like this, it wasn’t hard to lose sight of someone.
He could be in another room, as well, and I checked all of them that had peepholes or windows in the door—a few were completely private with no way to see.
Finally, I returned to my friends to see the appetizer platter had arrived and was half gone.
I had no appetite for food anymore anyway.
Just for the omega. Several other alphas had joined the group, but none of them knew much about the omega.
They’d seen him and thought he came about every so often and played with different alphas, always wearing his mask, but didn’t know much else.
Of course, Evander or Gatlin could have found him in the member roles; I’d never ask, and they certainly wouldn’t offer.
Crowned was indeed famous for respecting the privacy of those within its walls.