“Yeah,” Oli sits a little taller, eager. “I’m free all day.”
“Good.” Rhett touches the knot on his tie, making sure it’s centered. “Obviously, you’ll be posing as a member of my pack,” he continues, voice tight. “Relax, blend in, and don’t say too much.” His eyes narrow at Oli’s face, his brow furrowed. “Do you have a suit?”
Oli snorts, rolling his shoulders. “I don’t have shit.”
I give him a sympathetic smile, trying to hide the excitement growing in my belly. The young alpha looks damn good in jeans and his black t-shirts, but a suit? That might kill me.
“I’m sure I have something that will fit,” Rhett says, and I quickly agree. They both have a very similar build. Both are around six foot four with broad shoulders and trim waists.
“I’ll find something,” I assure my pack alpha.
“What about the etiquette?” Autry jumps in, bright-eyed and eager to help.
Oli tilts his head to one side. “Etiquette?”
“Things like how to introduce yourself. The right fork for the salad? Stuff like that?”
He shrugs, frowning. “Nope, I don’t know any of that.” He almost looks embarrassed, and I hate that. No one should have to know this kind of useless shit.
“That’s okay.” Charlie steps up beside Autry. “We’ve got all day. Autry can teach you, and Myrick can dress you. I can even help you practice your small talk.”
Oli gives a slow, lopsided smile—warm and a little surprised, like he’s not used to people offering him this kind of help without strings attached. “That would be very helpful,” he says, voice low before dropping his gaze to his lap. “Thanks.”
“I’m sorry, Autry,” Rhett leans into the omega’s ear. “I’llhave to finish your nest tomorrow.” He kisses her cheek. “I’ll get it done first thing. Promise.”
“That’s okay,” Autry says gently, her expression softening for her alpha. “I really don’t mind.” She presses a kiss to Rhett’s lips, then turns to Oli. Her posture is relaxed, hands loosely clasped in front of her, a small smile tugging at her mouth. “If you’re ready, we can get started.”
Oli’s gaze lingers on her face, his expression softening into something else entirely. It’s still warm, but there’s a tenderness behind it now—something deeper, quieter.
My body goes tight once again, and I look at Rhett. But he’s staring at his phone, not seeming to notice.
Do I tell him that this flirty young alpha seems to be staring longingly at our omega?
Do I care?
Do I want to encourage it?
Yeah. The second this party is over, I need to have a very serious conversation with Rhett about our pack dynamics. It's very clear that there’s something building between Oli and Autry, and while it would kill me, if Rhett doesn’t want him to join our pack, we might have to cut all ties with the young alpha.
The Dining Room
Autry
“Wait.”Charlie lifts his fork and knife, eyebrows furrowed. “So crossing them means I’m done eating…but if I jab the knife into the fork’s prongs, it means Idon’tlikethe food?”
I nod, already laughing from the look of shock on his face. “Exactly.”
Charlie groans, dramatically dropping his utensils onto his plate. They hit with a clang. “Who the hell goes to someone’s house and tells them the food sucks—with theircutlery?” He cuts an exhausted look at Oli. “Who even invented this crap?”
“Assholes,” the alpha mutters dryly. He’s definitely getting grumpier the longer we sit here. He’s managed to memorize the forks, but his expression tightens every time he glances at his cluster of glasses.
“Can we clear these off?” Oli nudges three of the crystal glasses away from him, eyebrows drawn. “I’ll drink water.”
“Can’t do that,” I say, perched next to Myrick at thehead of the table. “Unfortunately, rich people treat matching glassware like a personality trait. If you don’t have four different wine glasses, how will anyone know you're emotionally distant and terrible at making eye contact?”
My silly joke earns me a small smile from the alpha, but that’s it—I'll take it.
“So, like… will someone ask me what kind of wine I want, or will they just pour it?” Charlie picks up the tiny sherry glass, turning it in his hand. “Because I wouldn’t know a good wine from grape juice.”
