“How did you—you know what? You’re right. Let me get a strawberry daiquiri.” Who cares if it looks silly in such a fancy restaurant? If they didn’t want people to order it, they shouldn’t have put it on the menu.
As soon as we finish ordering our food, I notice the way his eyes scan our surroundings.
“Are you really the owner?” I blurt, even though it’s obvious now that he isn’t.
That deep rumbling laughter I heard earlier tumbles from his lips, causing my toes to curl. Ah. So, this is the man who found me so entertaining earlier. Interesting.
“Nope.” He pops the p before the sexiest smirk tips his lips to the right.
I laugh.Goddess, this alpha. I slide my left foot against his calf playfully before placing it back on the floor. “Where have you been hiding my whole life?”
Thorne relaxes against his seat, looking unfazed by my obvious flirting. Slowly, his foot slides forward and presses against mine. I smile against my glass. If anyone were to glance over, our whole interaction might look innocent. Maybe even professional, with Thorne in such a fancy suit. But under the table, it’s as if we share a secret.
“I live in a small town a few hours from here. What about you? Are you from here?”
I nod, though I’m a bit disheartened by the fact that he doesn’t live closer. “Yeah. Born and raised.”
“It’s nice here, but a little too busy for me. City life always felt like a fun vacation, but my heart belongs in a tight-knit community.” His chocolate-brown eyes sparkle. “There’s something special about being able to walk down the street and be greeted by your neighbors.”
My mind wanders to my favorite TV show I was watching with Nora. How many times have we wished we could just run away to a town where everyone knows everyone? Where everyone accepts everyone. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to find something like that,” I reply. “Minus some creepy cult.”
Thorne barks out a laugh. “Of course. My town is quite…magical. Creepy cult not included.”
The server returns with our drinks. I take a sip of my daiquiri and moan. Strawberry flavor bursts on my tongue. It has just theright balance of sweet and tart. “Oh, goddess. I could kiss you for suggesting this,” I say, taking another sip. “That jackass made fun of me when I told him I wanted something sugary. He said it would ruin my appetite.”
“Fuck, what an asshole. What were you even doing with that guy?” Despite his words, Thorne’s tone isn’t accusing. Rather, he sounds amused, almost as if he’s glad he replaced the jerk. Well, if that’s the case, I’m glad too.
I groan. “Honestly, it’s kind of an embarrassing story.”
“I won’t judge you, and I have all night if you do?” He says it so casually, I know he means it. So far, Thorne is unlike any alpha I’ve ever met. He’s protective, patient, and funny.What’s the freaking catch? He has to be married or something. Goddess, please don’t let him be married.
“Okay, Alpha,” I tease, loving the way his eyes darken at the title. “If you want a story, I can give you one.”
Chapter two
Thorne
“So, let me get this straight,” I say, placing the napkin on my plate. Hayden finishes his last bite before doing the same. The past two hours with this omega have sped by. It’s like the moment we started chatting, we just…clicked. Hayden shared his string of dating disasters and his search for an alpha to meet his family. All the while, he recounted each date with alittle extra flair and a smile on his face. He’s an absolute riot. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much.
Hayden smirks, waiting to hear what I’ll say next. His foot casually grazes my calf, a move that he’s been doing all night, and one I’ve been returning.
I lean forward, tempted to tuck his beautiful black hair behind his ear. “Every Christmas, your mother makes you go on vacation with your family. Only to try to set you up with some random alpha, hoping the two of you will what? Hit it off, and go make a bunch of babies?” I tease.
My thoughts stray to my mother, and I silently chuckle. She would totally do the same thing.
Hayden laughs, a wide grin on his face. Every time he aims that smile my way, my inner lion sits up with interest, swishing his tail. I wasn’t lying when I called him pretty, but I didn’t expect such a sassy and smart omega.
It’s refreshing.
As the next alpha in line to lead my Pride, omegas throw themselves at me willingly, and without my mother’s help. It’s exhausting. Every one of them treats me the same; never making eye contact, never speaking out of turn, always waiting for me to talk first. None of them ever opens up or shows me their true selves. It’s like they’ve forgotten I grew up in town with them andhave no memory of who they were before I became some prize to win.
On some strange level, I can relate to Hayden. All the omegas I meet just fake everything with me. It’s as if they only show me the omega they think I want to see.
Unfortunately for them, I’m saving myself for love. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a virgin, far from it. But I’m the rare type of alpha to make sure I’m in a relationship before jumping into bed. I believe in love and fated mates. I’m not so sure I’ll ever find my fated, but I know what love looks like. I see it with my parents every day, and I know that’s what I want.
“I didn’t say she forced me to go on vacation. The vacation part is fun. I love seeing my big Filipino family for the holidays. But these alphas? They are so freaking full of themselves; flaunting their achievements like verbal aphrodisiacs, hoping to get me into bed.”
I laugh. “Okay, noted. Don’t try to impress you with all my achievements.” Honestly, I love that he isn’t easily impressed with money or pretty words.
