“Okay, now can I try your red velvet cake ice cream?”
I gave her a spoon of that, and again, she moaned. The man gazed at her, licking his lower lip like he wanted to be the spoon in her mouth.
Yuck. I could vomit right there. That actually might make them leave. Then again, who wants to clean that up?
By the time the horny couple left, they had bought a pint of both flavors and two slices of cake. Okay, they weren’t so bad, but I did escort them out and locked the door behind them. Now I had to be quick because I was supposed to be at a dinner by 8pm, and it required me to be glamorous, so I had to go home.
I did my best to clean up and count the money, making record time. Leaving the store, I headed to my car parked in the back lot. Lila’s Love was located in the Charles Village area of Baltimore City, near other restaurants and not too far from the Baltimore Museum of Art and Johns Hopkins University. It was actually a lot of the students in the city who put my place on the map, so I always gave student discounts.
The block was relatively busy for a Friday evening, and I could hear the faint sounds of music from the restaurants. Winter was closing out, so it was still cold, and I zipped up my puffy jacket as I headed to the car. There were a couple of other cars back there from the other shop owners, but I was alone. Well, me and the huge rat that just ran in front of a truck.Eww.
I quickened my pace and hopped in my car but not before I saw what looked like a human-shaped shadow move between two other cars. I didn’t bother calling out. I didn’t need to speak to anyone out there in the dark.
As I started my engine and put on my seat belt, my mind went back to the creepy guy. Something told me this was not just an odd encounter. Nothing was random anymore. Not in my life.
* * *
Iwalked into the upscale rooftop restaurant in the luxury area of the city by 8:30pm. They were probably already eating, but I knew they would wait for me because I was starving.
I’d never actually eaten at the place, but I’d heard great things about it, so I was ready to grub. I tugged at my blue halter dress. It flared out at the waist so it would cover any food baby I grew as I ate. I was still cute, though. I’d paired the dress with mesh, peep-toe ankle boots and pulled my honey-blonde curls to the top of my head with a few ringlets coming down around my face.
I felt confident and sexy as I walked further into the space, looking for my friends. I was a successful single woman living her best life. Or so that was the mantra I told myself every day. This was especially important because some days, I didn’t feel that way. Especially being single longer than I had expected. However, dating in this town, especially at thirty-one, was as fun as getting a root canal. And to make it worse, here I was, going to dinner with my best friend and her many men.
“Lila!” a familiar voice called to my right.
I turned to see my bestie, Billie Bellamy, standing up and waving a hand in the air. She looked gorgeous, sitting at the large, circular table near the wall between her men. Her coily hair was pinned to the side, and she wore a purple, off-the-shoulder form-fitting dress. Somehow the girl had gotten happier and more stylish since giving into her omega status and finding her alphas. I was really happy for her. And, okay, a tad jealous.
I was just a beta, although my magic made me far from normal, I still didn’t have men chasing after me because I was a rare and prized being. Omegas were the prize possession of society. Rare beings that enhanced powers and were the perfect mate to the alphas. Alphas were slightly larger in number than omegas and were the top of society when it came to their physical form. They were larger, stronger, and more desirable than any other being. Supernatural or otherwise. People yearned to be with an alpha or an omega because of their sexual prowess. Omegas had their sexual heats that could last days, and alphas could go into ruts that lasted a night. Both made them extremely horny and primitive, ruled only by their bodies. They were supposed to be amazing sex partners. While one didn’t have to be an omega to fulfill an alpha, the goal was to have one. It was the reason why many omegas became part of an alpha pack that could share him or her.
Getting claimed by an alpha could also make you stronger, although not as powerful a pairing as an omega and alpha union. Regardless, the bond was special and magical. I’d been jealous of the kind of union Billie now had with her men. She could feel them emotionally, even speak to them telepathically. And they loved on and spoiled her to no end. I had no idea what it would be like to feel that cherished. I’d never had love even remotely like that. Omegas were supposed to be physically weak, but Billie was strong. She’d fought hard to not fall into the trap that society had placed for omegas. Some societies assigned omegas to alphas. There were even groups out there that would steal omegas and traffic them. It wasn’t a safe place, but she was cared for now. That did give me some peace of mind for my friend.
I walked to the table and only then noticed an empty chair beside her. “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t expect to work tonight.”
Billie gave me a tight hug. “No worries. You’re a boss bitch who owns a business. That’s what happens. We only ordered appetizers, so it’s fine.”
I sighed in relief and sat down beside her. “Thanks for leaving me the seat next to Bill, guys. I know that wasn’t easy,” I cracked, looking around the table.
Billie’s alphas were a pack of beautiful men. She’d only known them for a little over two months now, but they’d proven themselves. They were well-vetted by her father before his death, and I trusted them to take care of her. They’d done a good job so far.
Kai, an incubus demon, who we first met, sat on Billie’s other side. He tipped his head to the side, wiggling his fingers at me. “Hey Elsa, been a while,” he stated. He was in his human form with medium-length black hair, playful gray eyes, and a body full of tats and piercings.
I rolled my eyes. “Please stop calling me that.”
“What else do you call an ice mage?”
“Lila. Ms. Ramirez if you piss me off,” I cracked. I reached over for the bottle of wine to pour myself a drink, but hands shot out in front of mine.
Daniel Choi, the leader of their group and a fae, grabbed the bottle and my empty glass. He poured my drink and handed it over to me with a wink. He was always such a gentleman. Tonight, he looked as classy as always in a dark gray vest and slack combo with a patterned black shirt underneath. His short black hair was expertly coifed. I couldn’t recall ever seeing him not put together, even when we fought to rescue Billie when she was kidnapped by demons. The man barely had a scratch. It could have been fae glamour. Billie mentioned he used magic to hide his true appearance, although she seemed quite impressed with his original fae form.
We soon ordered food and continued our chats while eating. I always felt like I should be a sixth wheel when out with Billie and her four alphas, but I never did. They were all so good at including me. Still, I never forgot how much they adored only her.
I glanced over to Billie. “So, living together still everything you hoped and dreamed?”
She leaned into me. “They’re messier than I thought they would be. I feel bamboozled.”
I waved a dismissive hand at her. “Eh, but you have a cleaning service. Small price to pay for living with a bunch of guys who treat you like a goddess.”
Kai pointed at me with an appreciative smile. “She gets it. I’m feeling undervalued.” He gave sad, blinking eyes at Billie. He was such a con.
