Chapter 15
A CLASH OF ALPHAS
“What the everloving fuck,” Hades growled.
Rage burned through him like a roaring blaze, threatening to erase his good sense. Who the fuck said that kind of shit to another person?
And who the fuck dared to say that to Hades’ omega?
Were there no one else to answer to, Hades would’ve put his fist through Ballus’ face, through his skull, and it still wouldn’t have been enough.
“I thought he was sick?” Aaren yelped.
Reluctantly, Hades took a closer look at the other alpha. Ballus was squinting, with dark circles under his eyes and his nose red.
“Might still be,” he muttered, quietly and too far away for Ballus to hear. “But that’s no fucking excuse to say that shit to you.”
Aaren turned, sending him a panicked look. “Don’t—”
“I won’t,” Hades said, clenching his fists. “And I’m not happy about it.”
Ballus looked suspiciously between Aaren and Hades. “Who the fuck is that?”
Aaren straightened his shoulders, raising his voice. “Weren’t you sick? I made food for you, it’s in the fridge!”
“It’s cold,” Ballus said sullenly.
“Wow,” Aaren said.
Olson was staring at Ballus with barely concealed disgust. Hades felt the same.
“So? Where is my free lunch?” Ballus asked loudly.
“I ate it!” Aaren lied. “It’s not yours!”
“The hell you did, you fat-ass,” Ballus said, sneering.
Hades’ knuckles itched so badly, he had to clench his fists and focus on his promise. “Get in the kitchen, sweetheart. Out of here so you’re not a target.”
“But he’s my mess,” Aaren groaned. “I’m so fucking embarrassed.”
He made to step forward, toward Ballus, like maybe he wanted to drag Ballus out of the bar to hiss at him.
“Sweetheart,” Hades said just loud enough for Aaren to hear. “You look like you’ve just been thoroughly kissed and fucked. Don’t get too close to him right now.”
Aaren froze, his ears turning bright red.
Olson straightened to his full height, sending Rex a glance.
Rex narrowed his eyes but settled back on his barstool, sitting out of the confrontation.
Olson turned to Ballus. “I’m sorry. Did you read the employee contract before you made your assumptions?
” he said coldly. “Employee meals are not transferable to anyone else. Even if they were, my employees get first dibs on their food. Whether or not you think they should eat it. That’s not something you have the right to decide. ”
Ballus sneered. “Who are you? I want to speak to your manager!”
Aaren cringed. Gods, this really was humiliating. Hades felt so sorry for him.
“I own this bar,” Olson said loudly, to the cheering of some patrons. “And I would like you to remove yourself from the premises.”
“You? An omega? Owning this bar?” Ballus scoffed. “All you’re good for is bending over—”
Hades was moving before anyone else did. He grabbed Ballus by the arm and dragged him to the front door, shoving him onto the street.
“Who the fuck are you?” Ballus shrugged off his grip and whirled around with a snarl.
Hades could think of ten different ways to knock him unconscious, and a few more to stop his heart, right here.
“I’m the co-owner of the bar,” he said calmly, his pulse thundering with violence.
“Unfortunately, verbally abusing my employees and co-owner is a violation of our terms of service. Why don’t you take ten, and cool off elsewhere? Before I have to call the police.”
Ballus scowled and eyed Hades venomously. Hades stared back, letting his bloodlust show on his face—the cold stare of a man who wasn’t afraid to end Ballus’ life.
It would be so fucking easy.
Ballus seemed to understand. He backed away with a hiss. “You’re fucking insane. I didn’t want that omega’s food, anyway.”
Hades didn’t waste his breath on a reply. He stood and watched until Ballus disappeared off the street, thinking of several more ways to end him.
Olson stepped onto the sidewalk next to Hades, one eyebrow raised. “Thanks. I would’ve been fine handling it.”
“You’d never get him to back off if he believed you’re the sole owner of this place,” Hades muttered. “He would come back and cause more trouble for you and your employees.”
“I do have procedures in place for that, you know,” Olson said wryly.
“It’s not just that. I was afraid Rex would jump in if Ballus started to threaten you; Rex is not the best at deescalating.
I didn’t want that fucker to insult him on top of everything.
” Rex was amazing, and a devoted alpha, but he couldn’t string the right words together for this situation. Hades was protective of him, too.
Olson’s gaze softened. “Thanks. I mean it. This isn’t the first time some asshole has made trouble; it won’t be the last, either. I have security in place for that.” He gestured at his bouncer, Derek, who nodded at them.
Hades sighed, some of his anger fading. “Sorry. It’s just... Aaren.”
Olson sighed too. “I completely understand. After his shift tonight...”
“I’ll see if he’s willing to come home with me,” Hades said. “I don’t like the idea of leaving him alone with that jackass.”
“Same.” The tension left Olson’s shoulders; he looked weary for a second. “Thanks for looking out for him.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Hades cleared his throat.
“Ugh!” Olson flipped him off. “Not you too!”
Hades laughed. “You just look so horrified every time that happens. Sorry?”
“You’re not sorry at all,” Olson growled, elbowing Hades as he disappeared back into the Wine Shack.
Hades glanced around to make sure Ballus wasn’t coming back. Then he nodded at Derek and trailed in after Olson.
Things had returned to normal in the bar. Hades found Aaren in the kitchen flipping burgers. At a warning look from Olson, he remained on the threshold of the kitchen instead of stepping in.
For a while, he watched Aaren, moving out of the way when Emmy came along to pick up the prepared food.
“Hi hi, Aaren’s alpha buttmuffin!” Emmy said brightly. “Did the pickup lines work?”
Hades huffed. “Yes, they did. Thanks.”
Emmy crowed triumphantly, punching the air.
Aaren glanced over at the sound. It was the first time Hades had seen his face after Ballus, and what he saw broke his heart.
The spark in Aaren’s eyes had dimmed. The corners of his lips were downturned, and he looked dejected.
Hades wanted to go over and gather Aaren into his arms; he wanted to brush his scent all over Aaren and tell him he was perfect. “Sweetheart. Don’t listen to a single word that jackass said. He wanted to hurt you. Don’t let him.”
Aaren blinked slowly. “Really?”
“Yes. Since when were his words that important to you, anyway?”
“They’re not! But he said those things in front of you.” Aaren sagged.
“I don’t care about his opinions. But I do want to punch those words back down his throat,” Hades said. “Someday, I’d love to see you stand up to him, but not anytime soon. I want to help you with that.”
Some of the brightness returned to Aaren’s face. “Really?”
“Absolutely,” Hades said with great conviction.
Aaren seemed to cheer up then, turning back to the stove. When there was finally a lull between orders, Hades leaned against the doorjamb. “Hey, sweetheart.”
Aaren looked up, drying his hands on a towel. “Hmm?”
“Would you like to sleep over at my place tonight?” Hades wet his lips. It wasn’t a sure thing, since Aaren still seemed to have some sense of duty toward the jackass, but... “I don’t feel comfortable with you being alone with him. He was aggressive tonight. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Aaren rocked on his feet, chewing his lip. “Just one night. Plus I think he’s still full of germs.”
Hades snorted. “Yeah, he was sniffling as he retreated.”
Aaren laughed. Then he fidgeted. “Do you think... Maybe we could stop by his house so I can grab my important things? So he doesn’t throw them out if I’m not there.”
Hades hesitated. “I’ll park on the next street and go up to the door with you. If he’s asleep, I’ll help you carry your things out.”
“Okay.” Aaren bobbed his head gratefully.
Hades hated, hated that Aaren was stuck working around this situation. But Aaren was nearly his. As long as he remained patient and helped Aaren, he would get Aaren out of this mess sooner or later. “I’ll see you when you get off?”
“In both ways?” Aaren tried to look innocent, but there was an undercurrent of mischief in his smile.
“Of course,” Hades purred. He blew a kiss, watching as his omega blushed and ducked his head. So adorable.
It wouldn’t be long now, until he could pin Aaren and claim Aaren as his.