CHAPTER ONE #2
“Yeah, that’s what I hear," Gabriel responded lightheartedly. "I just stand in the back of the room and look intimidating, so at least I won't have to mingle, and who knows, maybe something will happen, and I'll get to kill someone.”
“You can only hope," Daley said in all seriousness but with a smile still playing around his lips. "Call me when you return the games can go long, and I'll save a place for you."
“Thanks, I’ll do that.”
The cocktail hour began at seven thirty with dinner at eight thirty.
Victor wanted to arrive around eight. Gabriel was the only guard accompanying them to the banquet.
Victor did not see a need for more. The function was low-key, with mostly local political figures attending; unlikely any issues would arise, and if they did, he felt well able to handle them.
The minute they entered the ballroom of Westgate Hall, Gabriel felt a heaviness in the air.
It didn't strike him as a problem, so he noted it and went to stand by the doors where he had a clear view of the entire ballroom.
Victor and Jaden began to mingle, and Gabriel kept his eyes on them and those around as well as scanning the room periodically.
There was another coven present as well as two wolf packs. He recognized James Fowl, the Garmr Pack Beta; he brought a guard with him and a delicate little omega. The other pack was from Naperville, and Gabriel was surprised to see them since they usually keep to themselves.
He cataloged the room, becoming familiar with everyone present, and then he noticed another omega standing off to the side, leaning his shoulder against the wall and staring out at the activity going on in the room.
His attention kept going over to James and the little beauty he had on his arm.
Gabriel wondered about the relationship between the three but considered it not a threat, so he moved his attention around the room once again.
Gabriel found that his gaze kept going back to the omega leaning against the wall. The draw was obvious since he was a handsome young man with wavy blonde hair styled perfectly around an angelic face. The question that remained was why the handsome, elegant young man was alone.
The cocktail hour ended, and the dinner began, and still the omega remained off to the side, not actually participating.
He held a glass of something and stood by the arch that led down the hall to the bathrooms and the kitchens.
He was trying very hard to blend into the wallpaper while still remaining present.
Victor and Jaden were seated at the mayor’s table as well as James and his companion. The conversation appeared cordial and pleasant but not overly warm. Vampires and wolves get along because we have to, not because we want to. Getting along was good for business.
A waiter walked up to the omega and said something to him and pointed to the other end of the room.
The omega nodded and started moving in that direction.
Why did they want him to move? He wasn't in anyone's way. Gabriel thought as he saw the way the omega was desperately trying to stay invisible. He found himself getting worked up over the rudeness of the waiter and immediately stifled the feeling. The omega’s feelings were of no importance.
He was walking in Gabriel's direction, and he felt himself stiffen at the proximity. He was even more handsome up close; he stood tall, and his movements were graceful and refined. His expression held tension and sadness beneath tight control.
Gabriel watched him walk by, not close but close enough.
Gabriel caught his breath, averted his eyes, and kept his face neutral, not wanting to draw attention to his observation.
The omega moved swiftly to the opposite wall near the exit.
He stood still, dropped his gaze to the floor, and crossed his hands in front of him.
Gabriel took it all in and analyzed the emotions rushing through him.
Gradually, the truth of the situation settled in.
The little omega standing by the wall was his beloved.
His scent was muted, but it was not strong enough to shield him from his vampire beloved.
Gabriel wondered if he recognized him, but he gave no indication that he had.
Victor and Jaden were enjoying the dinner and making nice with those who deserved it.
Victor had the skill to be discerning but not ill-mannered when socializing.
The banquet was important for seeing and being seen, but he doubted they would stay after the speeches.
The crowd thinned considerably after the speeches, with those who stayed beyond reeking subtly of desperation.
He secretly took a photo of the omega and sent it to the tech department and asked for everything they had.
He did not give details as to why he wanted the information, and they did not ask.
The omega was keeping an eye on James, and Gabriel wanted to know the relationship there.
Perhaps he was an assistant who was dragged along for purposes unknown, but he gave off a feeling of pain and sadness, which was odd.
James and his omega companion were quite provocative in the way they behaved for such a public event.
It bordered on improper even though they tried to be secretive.
The long looks and the sensual touches indicated that their evening had not yet truly begun.
James had a reputation for tasting omegas he didn't keep them long, and he always had another in the wings, it would seem.
It was rumors, but considering what he'd been looking at all evening, he would have to say that the rumors were correct. But the handsome omega was eating it up, so whose business is it except their own?
He took a glance over at the omega by the exit, and he had not moved for over an hour, and he continued to stand stock still with his eyes downcast except for when they were looking at him.
Gabriel noticed him looking over and then quickly looking away.
There had to be a spark, at least a faint knowing of their connection.
IT sent back a report, and he glanced at it quickly, getting his name at least. Ben Dalton was his name.
He'd leave it at that for now he would read the report later. He was charged with guarding his Coven Second and his beloved, and that was his duty for the evening. He knew the omega’s name, and he had his scent, so finding him would not be a problem.