2. Bea
“What about you, pretty girl?” Ezra asked with a smile. It was charming and playful, a contrast to the other beta who was a huge flirt.
“I’ve got a small shop in town with my friends,” I said, keeping it simple.
They must have picked up on the fact that I was trying to be vague and just nodded once, a smile on their lips as they looked at each other and took a drink of their beer.
“Noted, Goddess,” Apollo said, clinking his bottle to my glass. They were amused by the mystery I was giving them but I needed to make sure to protect myself.
“Can I just be blunt?” I blurted out with zero finesse.
Honestly, I just found this whole song and dance tiring. I wanted to have a fun night, not get to know them on a deeper level.
‘No strings’ was safe.
“Of course,” Ezra said firmly. “We want you to be yourself.”
“Then let me be clear, and I don’t mean this to be rude, just honest. I’m not looking for something permanent here.
I don’t need a pack to come sweep me off my feet.
I don’t need to be fixed or courted or any of that.
I am out tonight to find a little stress relief and a good time, nothing more, nothing less. ”
Was I crazy or did Corvin look disappointed? I wasn’t trying to ruin anyone’s night, but it would be a whole lot worse if I kept this from them. I took consent seriously, that included my one-night stands. They should know exactly what they were getting with me, which was nothing more than tonight.
Maybe it wasn’t conventional. Hell, maybe most omegas weren’t as blunt as I was, but it had to be done. I couldn’t risk giving myself to anyone else.
I’d endured enough disappointment in my life. It started with my family and ended with Cameron. It took me longer than it should have to give into Taryn’s attempts at friendship. Now she and Dani were the only real family I needed.
The kind I got to choose myself.
“So, you’re saying that I get to have a literal goddess in my bed tonight, but I won’t be able to see you again?” Apollo confirmed. When he said it like that it sounded so shitty but he had it exactly right.
“Yes,” I agreed. “I’m genuinely not looking for anything more than that. I’m sorry. I understand if you want to back out now.”
They weren’t reacting, their faces unreadable masks as they considered my words.
“What happens if we all end up at the bar again together after tonight?” Ezra asked, his beer bottle still paused halfway to his mouth.
I considered his question for a moment, unsure how to answer. Would I risk being with him again if I had a good time? There was attraction here, but I wasn’t positive that was enough to change my usual game.
“I guess that depends on how good tonight is,” I finally answered, giving him a smirk and taking a sip of my cocktail.
“Why don’t we get out of here and find out?” Apollo challenged. I glanced at the others to see if they were all on the same page.
They made it clear that they were a pack and I didn’t want to do anything until they were ready. I was hardly the only one that mattered in this equation.
“What happens if we aren’t ready to let you go after one night?” Corvin asked. His voice was low and controlled now. I hated that I was making them uncomfortable. If they walked away, I’d understand.
I considered it for a second so I didn’t insult him more, but eventually just shrugged and went for the truth. “It’s tonight or nothing, alpha.”
The two betas were looking at him now, seeing if he was going to let me call the shots and fight his instincts, or if he was going to turn me down.
For some reason, my omega liked these men. She was practically ready to bend over on the table and present for them, but that didn’t mean I was. One of us had to protect our heart.
The silence was stretching on a little too long now and I let out a sigh.
“I’ve said my terms. If you’re not interested, we can both move on and find someone else to spend our night with,” I offered.
The alpha let out a growl before Ezra smacked him. Corvin cut off the growl and downed his beer instead.
Corvin nodded once like he understood.
“Fine,” he managed. “If this is all I can have, then I want it.”
My body immediately reacted, my thighs clenching together at the growl and his tone.
“After a dance,” Apollo corrected. “I deserve at least one dance with the Goddess and then we can leave.”
At this point, I’d already had two strong cocktails, so I agreed easily. Apollo stood up and held out a hand for me. I slid my hand in his, letting him pull me to my feet. A shiver ran down my spine at the contact.
Clearly, my omega really needed tonight if she was reacting like this to the first men she met.
The song transitioned into one that was upbeat and full of energy as he found a place for us to dance among the small crowd. Apollo quickly spun me around before pressing his body to mine. One hand rested on my hip, the other ran down my arm to find my hand, his fingers tangling with mine.
He guided me through the movements, though he didn’t need to. I had enough rhythm to keep up.
There was something insanely hot about dancing this close. Every sway of my hips moved with his, our bodies so close that I could almost get a tease of his scent. Something rich and sweet but too subtle to make sense of.
Damn this bar and their scent purifiers.
That was coming from the girl who purposely hid her own scent. All anyone ever got off of me was the perfume I wore. The shampoo and body wash I used were de-scenting, some of the strongest I could find. It would take hours to even get a hint of what I had hidden under those layers.
“Do you want to get out of here?” I asked. Maybe I was crazy and we were rushing it, but if this pack was willing, who was I to turn that down? I’d made my point clear and they knew exactly where I stood, which meant I could have a guilt-free night of fun.
“Yes,” Apollo groaned, dragging me back to the table. “She’s ready to go.”
“How about our place?” Ezra suggested. “You can follow us there. Do you need to text your friends and let them know where you’re going?”
It was sweet that he offered. A pack that was willing to make sure that I felt safe and cared for was the exact kind of pack I’d want if I were to ever commit to one.
I also wasn’t about to admit to them that I didn’t have anyone to text. I mean, sure, I had my besties, but I’ve never been one to text them with details about each night out.
Plus, the granny mafia knew exactly who I was with. That was enough reassurance for me.
“Don’t worry, the local Granny mafia knows exactly who I’m with. Dolly wasn’t kidding about those threats, either.”
“Perfect,” Apollo grinned. “What are we still doing around here wasting time, then?”
We didn’t run into anyone on our way out, which was a miracle in a town like this. I didn’t need the grannies speculating which of the three was better in bed. Loudly. To the whole establishment.
“Where are we headed?” I questioned when we stepped out into the evening air. I took a deep breath before looking at each of them.
“We’re just down the street. If you’re alright with walking?” Apollo offered, holding his hand out to me again.
I only hesitated for a moment before I put my hand in his. Just like last time I felt a jolt at the contact. Maybe I shouldn’t wait so long between nights out, clearly I was desperate at this point. That wasn’t a good look on anyone.
Apollo tugged me closer, tucking me into his side. He still smelled like the clinical descenting spray that flowed through the bar. Underneath it, I could detect a hint of… chocolate?
Would it be weird to ask them to wash it off before we did anything so I could smell them? My omega perked up at the thought but if I wasn’t willing to do the same for them it was out of the question.
“This is where we work,” Corvin said as he gestured towards the firehouse.
“Impressive,” I said as I took in the large building. “You’ve got an important job.”
“We like to think so,” Apollo said, giving me a wink. “Are you impressed, Goddess?”
I swear everything out of that man’s mouth just sounded like pure sex. I had a feeling he was the type that would flirt with literally anyone.
A pang of jealousy hit me and I froze. Why did that bother me?
My omega immediately hated the thought of anyone else getting close to this pack. Which was way too close to ‘strings’ for comfort.
They stopped walking at the brownstone directly next to the firehouse.
“Wow, this makes for a quick walk to work in the morning, doesn’t it?” I teased.
“That’s exactly why we chose it,” Ezra grinned. “This place is our life, may as well make it a little easier, right?”
“We’re there enough that it’s nice to have a break once in a while. We can run back for lunch and get back if an emergency hits. Willow Lake is small enough it’s generally all hands on deck,” Corvin explained.
“I can’t tease too much. My apartment is only a block away from work, which I also did on purpose. Not that Willow Lake has a lot of options,” I laughed. It had been a battle to find a decent place in town that wasn’t either outdated, or too big for just me.
“What did you say you do, again?” Corvin asked.
“I didn’t,” I said, giving him a grin and letting it drop.
“Leave a lady to her mystery,” Apollo said. “It’s more exciting this way.”
Corvin did not look convinced, but he also didn’t argue. I had a feeling it was going to drive this alpha crazy. He was going against every instinct he had.
The front door was painted a deep scarlet, the red standing out under the bright light that hung over it. They kept the porch clean and tidy, small flowers lining either side. I could appreciate a pack that took pride in the things they owned.
Unlike Cameron, who simply destroyed everything and everyone in his path.
Ezra stepped forward and unlocked the door, holding it open for the rest of us. Apollo led me inside.
It was nice and clean. The industrial look continued throughout, black and chrome fixtures, and exposed brick walls. I was never one for traditional things, and this was perfect.