CHAPTER TWO #2
“Which assignment did you take, the Blood Rose or the waterfront with humans?” Gabriel asked as he poured his friend a whiskey and handed it to him. They sat together in the living room.
"I went to the waterfront. The Blood Rose is a little too posh for me, and I’m not great around large groups of people in a social setting, as you know." Gabriel laughed.
“You’re just a little rough around the edges; nothing a little etiquette training wouldn't cure.”
"I prefer clean combat, a battle where everyone knows the score, not a social engagement that requires sensitivity and understanding." Daley defended.
"You're good," Gabriel said. "Not everyone is built for socializing."
"So how was the banquet?" Daley repeated. Gabriel looked at him silently, staring for several seconds before responding. Daley sat up and placed his drink on the table, sensing something important.
"I found my beloved." He stated and held Daley's gaze. He was silent for just a beat, and then a smile spread across his face, and then that was followed by a frown.
"Why are you here?" He asked, drawing his brows together. "Why aren't you with your beloved?"
Gabriel gave him the whole story and shared what the IT department had given him. "I couldn't do anything there in the ballroom. I had a duty, and I think he was there with a purpose as well."
“Did he recognize you?”
"I don't know he made no indication of such. He was wearing a pretty powerful scent blocker, but where beloveds are concerned, there is little that can disguise their scent.”
“With so many powerful people present with scents that can choke a room, he may not have picked up on you.” Daley always knew the right thing to say. He claimed to not be social, but the man was more sensitive than he gave himself credit.
"That's possible. I noticed his heart and pulse rate picked up when I walked by him on the way out.”
“What’s your next move?”
“I’m going to his hotel room. IT said he checked into the Parkway an hour ago.” Gabriel finished his whiskey and stood. “It’s time we met properly.”
“It damn well is.” Daley heartily agreed.
***
Ben followed ten feet behind James and his omega date. The banquet was ending, and only a handful of people remained. James smiled at Ben when they stood outside waiting for his car.
"Find your own way home, Ben. Caleb and I have plans. We're taking the long way home, and I plan to fuck him raw in the backseat. I might even let the driver join us. If it's Rex, we will definitely let him join. I love to watch Rex hammer inside a willing ass. He is pure debauchery.” James took Caleb’s face between his palms and kissed him seductively while Caleb rubbed his crotch against James’ thigh.
Caleb had no idea the night that lay before him. James wasn't joking; it was very likely that Caleb would be asked to accommodate Rex's cock before they ever reached the pack house. James had no qualms about sharing his men, all except for Ben.
There was nothing to be gained by giving James everything he wanted, and yet each omega performed as if they thought there was something in it for them. Even as the terrible rumors circulated, each one thought they were the one and that James would choose as his forever mate.
Thankfully, his car arrived, and they got inside.
Before leaving, James leaned out to address Ben, "The other car has already left, so take a ride share or something.
" He closed the door, and the car sped away.
Ben watched as the car disappeared into the night, and he took a long cleansing breath.
James thought he was being cruel, but Ben was relieved that they had left him behind.
He glanced up the street and noticed a nice hotel down the block and headed in that direction.
Ben got a room at the Parkway Hotel, a suite on the fifth floor.
He needed some time alone away from James' constant harassment in order to think and clear his mind.
His life as he was presently living it was untenable; he had to do something.
There had to be changes, or he was going to lose his mind.
The vampire guard was his Fated mate, and he wanted to do something about it, but he didn't know what he could do.
Ben had no power or ability to contact the Coven, and maybe he didn't want him.
The guard might have known and simply ignored him.
If he tried anything, James would find out, and his life would get exponentially worse.
He sat down heavily on the edge of the bed and dropped his head into his hands.
Now that he was alone and everything was quiet, all he could think about was the guard.
He wanted to know his name at the very least. Damn if he hadn't been wearing that awful scent blocker, the vampire would have surely recognized him. He was tearing himself apart at the thought that his mate had been so close and he’d done nothing about it.
There was movement at his door, and he turned to look at the closed door and waited.
Then there was a knock, and he knew what it was he felt it in his bones.
Ben stood and moved towards the door with an anticipation that consumed him.
It had to be him. Ben looked out the peephole, and there he was, all tall, grand, and glorious. He came for him.