Chapter 2
NAOMI
They just... stared. The one with the dark cropped hair and sharp features, military posture, had his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
The other one, the tattooed one with light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, was leaning against the bar with a casual ease that somehow made him more intimidating, not less.
"Don't look," Kira hissed.
"I'm not looking." I whispered, though I couldn’t keep my eyes off of them.
"You're absolutely looking."
I forced myself to turn away, taking another sip of my drink. My heart was racing for no good reason. They were just Alphas. Attractive Alphas, sure, but still just Alphas. Predators in expensive clothes. Men who were used to getting what they wanted.
"They're coming over here," Kira whispered, her eyes going wide.
"What? No!"
But she was right. I felt them before I saw them coming this way, the way the crowd unconsciously parted. The weight of their presence. Then they were there. Standing in front of us like they'd materialized out of nowhere.
Up close, they were even more overwhelming. The dark-haired one was massive, taller than I’d expected at least 6'4", shoulders broad enough to block out the world behind him. The tattooed one was slightly shorter but no less imposing, his hazel eyes sharp and assessing.
"Ladies," the tattooed one said, his voice smooth and dark like whiskey. "We don't usually do this."
"Do what?" I asked, keeping my tone flat.
"Approach women here in the club." He smiled, and it transformed his face from dangerous to devastating. "I'm Kellan. This is my brother, Rowan."
Rowan nodded once, his dark eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. There was something overwhelming about this one. Maybe the fact that he hadn’t spoken a single word yet, but I knew he was going to be trouble. I couldn’t determine if it was the good or the bad kind yet.
"We own Obsidian," Kellan continued. "And we'd like to invite you upstairs. Private room. Drinks. Conversation." He paused. "No expectations."
Beside me, Kira made a sound like she'd been punched.
I just stared at him. "Why?"
Kellan's smile widened. "Because you're the first woman in years who's walked into this club and hasn't tried to throw herself at us."
"Maybe I'm just not interested." I deflected.
"Maybe," Rowan said, speaking for the first time. His voice was rougher than his brother's, gravel and smokey. "Or maybe you're smart enough to know that desperation isn't attractive."
"I'm not desperate," I said coolly, trying not to display how affected I was by him. "I'm just here for a drink. With my friend. On my birthday."
Something flickered across Kellan's face. "It's your birthday?"
"Yes."
"Then let us buy you a drink," he said. "Consider it a birthday gift from the house."
It was a smooth recovery. Professional. But I could see the calculation behind it and the way they were both watching me, studying my reactions.
All the attention that they were giving me had my body responding in a way that betrayed my goal here.
I didn’t want one Alpha, let alone two. Besides, they were looking at me like I was dinner and they were ready to devour me entirely.
"Thanks, but no thanks," I said. "I'm not really in the market for…" I gestured vaguely at them. "Whatever this is."
Kira kicked my ankle under the bar. I ignored her.
I understood that this was a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ but for someone who was actually interested in exploring this with them.
Again, I didn’t want anything to do with their Alphaness.
They could take all of this energy and give it to someone who cared.
Sure, I was attracted. Yes, they smelled amazing.
It didn’t take away from the detest that I had toward their kind.
Rowan's expression didn't change, but something shifted in his eyes. Surprise, maybe. Or respect. Good, because I wasn’t the type to lie down and do whatever they wanted.
"Fair enough," Kellan said. "But the invitation stands. If you change your mind." He pulled out a black card and set it on the bar in front of me. "Second floor. Private suite. We'll be there all night."
Then they were gone, disappearing back into the crowd with the same predatory grace they'd arrived with. I stared at the card. Matte black with silver lettering.
OBSIDIAN - PRIVATE ACCESS
"What the fuck was that?" Kira breathed.
"I have no idea." I exhaled, glad to breathe air that wasn’t tainted by them.
"Naomi. They never do that. Never. I've been coming here for months and I've never seen them approach anyone. Not once."
"Well, they approached tonight. And I turned them down." I picked up the card and slid it across the bar to the bartender. "I don't need it."
"Are you insane?" Kira asked.
"I'm smart. Those two are dangerous."
"They're Alphas. Of course they're dangerous. But they're also hot as hell. And…" She paused, searching for words. "They're them. Do you know how many Omegas would kill for what they just offered you?"
"Then one of those Omegas can have it. I'm not interested in being another notch on some Alpha's bedpost."
Kira looked at me for a long moment, then sighed. "Okay. Fine. But for the record? I think you're making a mistake."
"Noted."
“Are you not at least a little tempted?”
I swallowed, unwilling to lie to her.
“I’ve never scented a man that smells so damn good, let alone two of them. They smelled like what anyone would want to come home to every night. The perfect freaking nest. However, I can’t let myself get pulled into a ten car pile up in the middle of a gridlocked interstate. No, thank you.”
We ordered another round. I tried to focus on my drink, on the music, on anything except the prickling awareness at the back of my neck that told me I was still being watched.
It was like I could feel their eyes crawling all over me.
Like I was being summoned by a deeper need or calling that was pulling me toward them.
I lasted another hour before I couldn't take it anymore. The energy around me seemed to be crowded with their essence and I couldn’t breathe without feeling them.
"I need air," I told Kira.
"You okay?"
"Yeah. Just… It's hot in here. I'll be right back."
I made my way toward the back of the club, looking for a door, a window, anything. Found a hallway that looked promising and followed it past the restrooms toward what I hoped was an exit. Instead, I found stairs. Leading up to the second floor.
No. Don't.
But my feet were already moving. Climbing. Like my body had made a decision my brain hadn't approved. The second floor was quieter. More private. The doors here were solid wood, not frosted glass, and each one had a discreet number engraved on a brass plate.
I should have turned around. Should have gone back downstairs.
Instead, I found myself standing in front of the door at the end of the hall.
No number. Just that same silver lettering from the card that read PRIVATE.
I raised my hand to knock. The door opened before I could.
Rowan stood there, his dark eyes unsurprised. Like he'd known I was coming.
"Changed your mind?" he asked.
"I…" I swallowed. "I don't know what I'm doing here."
"Yes, you do." He stepped aside, gesturing me in. "You're here because you're curious. Because you want to know what it feels like to be seen. To be chosen."
"I'm here because it's my birthday and I've made a lot of questionable decisions today already," I said. "What's one more?"
Kellan's laugh came from inside the room. "I like her."
"So do I," Rowan said quietly.
He held my gaze for another heartbeat, then stepped back fully, making space. I could still leave. Could turn around and walk away and pretend this never happened. Instead, I stepped inside. The door closed behind me with a soft click. And just like that, everything changed.