17. Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
River
I was used to people wanting to talk to me, but never before had I hated it as much as I did this evening.
Ember had been lost in the masses and I’d felt my heart beat out of sync as I tried to find him.
It wasn’t until I told them all to give me some room, blaming my dragon on feeling suffocated.
Thankfully, they’d listened and backed off, well most of them had.
I’d spotted Ember immediately once they’d dispersed and my poor heart was still hurting from the sight of him hiding all alone and scared.
The happiness that flowed through our bond now was a soothing comfort as we walked hand in hand down the street.
Many gawked at the clear display of our claim on one another.
I’d never touched an omega in public before and neither had my brothers.
My claim on Ember was therefore evident as we continued to stroll towards my favorite tavern.
The Dusty Lusty came into view. The flower beds outside were blooming with vibrant red begonia flowers. The whole stone front was covered in ivy, reaching all the way up to the third floor.
“This is it,” I declared, gesturing excitedly to the tavern.
“It looks so cozy, even from the outside,” Ember gushed, clearly picking up on my happy emotions.
“It’s wonderful inside, too,” I added, opening the front door and scenting the amazing aromas.
“River!” Dusty cheered, the big alpha skirting around the bar to greet us. “I thought you’d died!”
I scoffed. “Way to be dramatic about it.”
He just beamed. “Well, you did stay away for over a week, I thought you’d found another tavern to please with your charming looks.”
“I would never!” I gasped, making both him and Ember laugh.
“Oooh, who do we have here?” Dusty smiled, holding out his hand to Ember. “I’m Dusty, River’s oldest friend, and you are?”
“Ember,” my mate replied, shaking Dusty’s hand. “I’m his omega.”
Dusty’s eyes widened and then a full-blown grin took over. “It’s a true pleasure to meet you then! I can’t believe River is finally a taken man!”
“You better believe it,” Ember grinned, his gaze meeting mine with a claiming sort of intensity.
“This calls for a celebration!” Dusty declared, running over behind the bar.
Dusty truly was my oldest friend. I’d grown up leaning on him.
He was a bear shifter, and his human form matched it, with his huge build and hairy chest and arms. He was also the kindest alpha in town, offering safe housing for omegas in heat.
It was what the third floor was primarily used for.
He had alpha friends he trusted and called to help the omegas if they wished for it.
It was one of the biggest reasons for my weekly visits here.
I wanted to support his tavern as best as I could and the food tasted amazing, so no complaints from me.
“Is he okay?” Ember whispered as we both stared at Dusty scrambling around behind the bar. We heard several glasses break before Dusty returned with fae wine and two crystal glasses.
“Follow me!” he declared, shaking his hips as he narrowly made his way between the seated guests who were all eating happily.
I was thankful my favorite table was free, the one with a clear view into the back garden.
It was a booth type of seat, making it private and cozy, the sconces turned low to create ambiance as well.
“Thank you, Dus,” I said, squeezing his shoulder. “We truly appreciate it.”
“I’m just so happy you brought Ember here so I could meet him,” Dusty grinned, shooting Ember a wink. “I’m sure he will keep you busy now, but I do hope to still see the both of you monthly, if not weekly.”
“I wouldn’t mind coming here once a week,” Ember smiled, looking around at all the décor and small details with excitement.
Dusty placed the glasses and wine, then rubbed his hands together like he was plotting something. “You won’t regret it! I’ll be back with the meal of the day, if you don’t mind salmon?” This question was directed at Ember who shook his head with a small smile.
“Never tried it,” my mate replied.
“We’re going to change that then!” Dusty declared, running off again.
Ember and I sat, facing each other, both with a clear view of the bar where Dusty was scribbling down our order for Coco, his best chef.
“I like him,” Ember grinned.
“Good,” I returned his grin. “Dusty is amazing, and if anything should happen, you can always go to him.”
“That’s nice to know, though I hope you aren’t planning on leaving me alone.”
“After everything that’s happened recently, I have a hard time even not touching you,” I sighed, grabbing his hand so they lay intertwined on the table.
Contentment filled our bond, both of us reveling in the smallest touches. It felt nice, wholesome in a way, that we could be so happy just sitting here together holding hands.
“Have I told you how handsome you look tonight?” My omega purred, rubbing his foot along my leg under the table.
“No, but I do love to hear it,” I purred back, rubbing his wrist with my other hand. “You look good enough to eat, and I plan to after this.”
“Oh, do you?” he grinned, arousal flooding our bond.
I nodded, biting my bottom lip.
“How do you plan to eat me?” Ember asked, batting his lashes.
“With my fangs,” I grinned, showing off my white teeth in a huge grin.
My omega giggled, making my heart soar. “Then I guess you’ll have to catch me first, alpha.” He shot me a wink and fuck it was hot.
I groaned. “How am I supposed to control myself when you tease me so?”
“Hmm,” he tapped his chin with his pointer finger, like he was truly thinking it through. “I guess knowing how wet I’ll be by the time we get home will help. You’ll be able to just tear my pants off and sink into me, claiming me against our bedroom wall.”
I gulped, then took a big sip of wine, feeling my heart flutter with a mix of love and hunger for my omega. He kept showing me more and more of himself, trusting me enough to be himself around me, and I was now hard as a rock because of it.
“River?” Coco’s voice broke me out of my horny haze, making me stare at her with wide eyes as I remembered exactly where I was. “Can you please get Dusty out of my kitchen?” she sighed, looking like she needed a break.
“Of course!” I said, giving Ember a smile. “I’ll be right back.”
I walked in and found Dusty in the middle of something… “Are you making a cake?” I asked, tilting my head.
Coco scoffed beside me. “No, he’s messing up my kitchen!”
Dusty just smiled at us. “Look! I figured out how to add color to the icing!”
“It looks like blood!” Coco scolded, and I had to agree. How did he get the red color to be so rich?
“Maybe you should leave the cooking to Coco, Dusty. Don’t you think?”
My friend sighed. “I just wanted to make something special for you and Ember.”
“I know, but the wine was more than enough,” I smiled, eager to get back to Ember.
“Um,” Coco said, staring out into the bar area. “Is that alpha talking to your mate, River?”