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“Just ask your sister for her advice,” Tanner suggested.
“No!” I whined. “I need to be able to dress myself. That’s a basic life skill. And the flowers are sweet peas. They match my scent. It’s beyond romantic,” I sighed.
“Kara smells like strawberries and whipped cream.” He had such a dopey, happy face. I was so happy for him. I was happy for both of us!
I finally decided on a long, green, velvet dress. It had another high neck and three quarter length sleeves. I’d worn it before, for one of my father’s events, and always received compliments. Hopefully I’d get a few tonight too.
We stopped by Kara’s dorm to pick her up on our way to the Cocoa Cotillion, and I was glad for the chance to spend some more time with her. She and Tanner were really hitting it off, and if she was going to be Tanner’s omega, we needed to get along. No matter how much he loved me, if it came down to me or his omega, she would always win.
“You look absolutely edible tonight, girl.” Tanner drooled over Kara as he helped her into her coat, and I cringed at his compliment, but when the scent of strawberries hit me with her arousal, I realized she was soaking it all up.
“Thank you, Alpha. You’re looking handsome yourself.” She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and he grew six inches taller. My heart swelled for them.
“You look beautiful tonight too, Mia.” She couldn’t see much of me under this coat, but I appreciated the compliment anyway.
“And I keep meaning to tell you,” she continued as we headed across campus, “I am such a big supporter of your father.”
“Oh, really? Thanks. I love hearing that.”
“No, I’m serious.” And by the look in her eye, I could tell she meant it. “His new policies on omega rights literally saved my cousin’s life after she was bonded against her will.”
“What!” You heard stories of these things but never from someone you knew.
“She ended up re-bonding with one of the officers that helped her. It was so romantic. The journey wasn’t smooth, but Governor Torres’ laws made it a little easier for her. Thank goodness.”
“I will let him know. He’ll be so pleased to hear it made a difference.”
“Mia hopes to make a difference too,” Tanner said proudly as we made our way up the icy steps to the student union. “Working with nonprofits and charities and shit.”
“I’m sure Governor Torres will be very proud of a daughter working with charitiesand shit,” she teased, smacking Tanner on the arm.
Thankfully the event coordinators sectioned off a portion of the Student Union for a coat room tonight. While we were freezing on the walk over, there was a fire roaring in the union’s fireplace, and dozens of alphas and omegas were milling about, so we quickly ditched our coats.
In the middle of the space was a large temporary hot chocolate station, and we walked over to check it out. There were several different flavors of cocoa and an endless array of toppings and mix-ins. It reminded me of the coffee shop’s topping bar but on steroids.
“What can I get for you, m’lady?” Tanner asked.
“I’d love—”
“Dark choco—”
Kara and I had both started to answer and both drew up short.
“I’m so sorry,” I apologized to Kara and took a step back. “He was obviously talking to you. I’m gonna go grab a cup from the other side of the bar. I’ll see you two later.” I hurried away as quickly as I could, knowing that my scent had started to sour with anguish. Tanner wasn’t only mine anymore. I needed to remember that. I could easily hear them calling for me over the soft, festive music, but I kept walking. This night, this whole Season, was for them. I needed to find my own alpha for the evening.
As if I had summoned him, Grant strolled up as I was finishing topping my cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate shavings—a classic combo.
“Good evening, beautiful omega. You look stunning in green.” I did a little spin for him, showing off my dress, and he gave an appropriate little clap of appreciation.
“Good evening to you too, Grant. Thank you so much for my flowers. They are beautiful. How did you even find them this time of year?”
“Oh, um—”
“They were from me.” Grant and I both turned to see Will standing behind us, and I swear my soul left my body. Will was wearing a tuxedo, anddamn, he looked good. He had styled his hair, so it was neater than usual but still soft and curly. He held out a hand for me, and before I knew what I was doing, I placed mine in his.
“You sent the sweet peas?”
“I did. I hope you like them.” Oh, those dimples again.
