Chapter 10
Keld
Eyes like shallow ripples on warm sand. Freckles spattering delicate skin. Light, silky hair.
Grayson Miller.
For a moment, they just stared at each other in shock. Another human poked his head over Grayson’s shoulder. “Dude, move.”
His eyes were deep brown and matched his slightly wavy hair. He frowned over at Keld, an expression Keld was not accustomed to seeing from Omegas.
“Gray? That’s not…” The human’s voice dropped to a whisper. “…him is it?”
So Grayson had already told his friends about their disastrous date. What had he said? Did he paint Keld out to be some asshole who insulted perfectly nice Omegas then stormed out on their date?
Because that would have been accurate.
Grayson nodded mutely. His friend’s expression hardened and he pushed his way past the taller man.
“Take the stairs, asshole.” The man glared up at him without even a hint of fear. Keld liked this one. His lips curved and he raised both palms. He backed away from the two Omegas, toward the stairwell. Grayson’s eyes had fallen to the floor, and he was now staring intently at his shoes.
Some part of Keld thought he ought to apologize, but what would he even say?
“Sorry for acting like a dick, I wasn’t properly socialized as a child.
” His legs carried him up the stairs without much conscious thought.
The odds of him even running into Grayson again had felt astronomical when Keld walked out on their date.
And in a cruel twist of fate, Noivux had immediately brought them right back together.
The ancient Alpha god was no longer worshipped, per se, but the Mer still liked to blame him and the three other deities of old when things didn’t go their way.
Keld paused just outside his apartment door and rubbed a hand over his face. “Fuck.”
∞∞∞
“He lives in your building?” Zasia’s jaw hung open, a forkful of fried kelp halfway to her mouth. Keld had managed to keep her nose out of his business for an entire week, and for that, he felt he deserved a medal.
The pub bustled with Friday night activity, mostly humans blowing off steam after a long week.
The table of Ikatere employees were some of the only Mer in the room.
Omegas shot glances at them as they passed, nostrils flaring as they caught the mingled scents of all four Alphas.
So far, none had been brave enough to approach, though Keld suspected that would change as the night progressed. Alcohol always made humans braver.
“Dude.” Eksal, another member of the accounting department, shook his head in exasperation. The Alpha had been working under Keld for a few years now—at least long enough to be intimately familiar with his dating history. “What the hell did you say to the poor guy?”
Keld grimaced. “I’d rather keep that to myself, thanks.” The other tables were occupied by humans, who likely couldn’t understand the rapid Loaish conversation in their midst, but Keld didn’t feel like repeating his words in either language.
“That bad?” Zasia sighed and shared a knowing look with Eksal. At least, she tried. It was hard to tell where Eksal was looking with his solid black eyes. The unnerving trait was shared amongst most deep sea Mer.
Keld’s boss, Loriun, glared at him from the head of the table. “You know, my Omega blames me for your appalling behavior.”
“How does he—” Keld groaned. “Duion Seyez.”
“That’s right,” Loriun growled. His scarlet ear fins flicked irritably. “Turns out the kid has a spectacular memory and quick thumbs.”
“So that’s why you’re here, Loriun?” Zasia teased. “Got kicked out?”
The vivid Mer sagged slightly. “Sort of. Beau said something along the lines of, ‘Why are you always here?’ then told me not to come back until nine.”
Zasia’s grin widened. “Wow, you really are a family Alpha. Pissing off your postpartum Omega by existing. Congratulations.”
Loriun let his narrow chin fall into his hand. “I’m not a fan of this part.”
Eksal patted the CEO’s arm. “It’ll pass. He’ll be thrilled to see you by the time you get home. How’s the nymph?”
Loriun brightened a bit. “He’s perfect. Neither Beau nor I have slept since April 14th, but it’s worth it.”
Keld raised a brow. “Yeah… Sounds great.”
Loriun jabbed a finger at him. “You can’t even get past the first date, I don’t want to hear your critiques.”
“Ouch.” Zasia laughed. “I’ll take that as a sign to order a round of gose.” She waved the human server over with a dazzling smile. The poor Omega man looked like he’d been struck upside the head as he shuffled toward their table.
“Four gose and…” Zasia glanced back at the three males. “Some hongeo?”
“Hell yeah,” said Eksal.
The fermented skate was a human invention, though apparently it was only consumed in two small countries—Korea and Iceland. Most humans found the powerful ammonia flavor difficult to handle. Mer, on the other hand, found it intoxicating.
Keld supposed it was similar to humans ingesting alcohol—disturbing to the Mer, fun for the humans. True to form, the humans near their table wrinkled their noses in disgust as the hongeo was placed between glasses of gose and seaweed dishes.
The ray-like creature was neatly sliced and arranged on a bed of thick kelp. Keld could practically see the fumes wafting up from its aged flesh.
Eksal rolled up the sleeves of his black dress shirt, and speared a slice with one long, ebony claw.
He tossed it in his mouth, flashing sharp, predatory teeth—another distinctive trait of deep sea Mer.
Unsurprisingly, they had the most difficulty finding human mates.
Although, there was an odd sect of human females that sought them out specifically…
“Damn, that’s good.” Eksal stabbed another. “Been too long.”
“Don’t let me eat too much,” Loriun muttered, leaning over for a piece. “Beau will be furious if I show up drunk.”
“You got it, boss.” Keld closed his eyes as the acrid burn of ammonia washed over his tongue. It drifted up his nostrils and flooded his gills, giving the world a hazy edge. Delicious.
“Feeling loosened up?” Zasia asked. She hadn’t touched the hongeo yet, opting to watch Keld closely instead.
“Yep.” Keld sat back in his seat. “Very.”
“Great, now tell us what happened on the date.”
Keld curled his lip at her. “Not that loose.”
“I’d start talking if I were you,” Loriun suggested. “Otherwise we only have Duion’s side of the story, and let me tell you, it’s not flattering.”
“The real story isn’t flattering either,” Keld grumbled. “I was a dick, okay?”
“Why?” Loriun pressed. “Not your type?”
Keld’s mind conjured an image of the Omega against his will—that creamy skin, stippled with freckles. His light, silky hair falling in his beautiful eyes. His tall, slim form and delicate hands.
“He was afraid!” Keld blurted out. “He was scared of me.”
Zasia blinked at him, baffled. “Why?”
“Not just me, Alphas in general.” Keld sighed. “He’s new to the island, never been around Mer, works with Alphas who are all worked up because their mates are in pain…”
Loriun winced. “I didn’t think of that.”
Keld sat upright. “Did you yell at him?”
“No!” Loriun said defensively. “He wasn’t there for the birth. His shift started later. I just… may have spoken a little harshly when he came in to check on Beau and Makai.”
Eksal choked on his hongeo and started laughing.
“So, if you look at the big picture, the bad date is actually your fault,” Keld pointed out.
“That is not—” Loriun halted mid sentence, eyes fixed over Keld’s shoulder.
“What?” Keld whipped around.
To his horror, a familiar figure sat perched at the bar, his slender fingers tapping a wine glass.
Grayson Miller. Again.