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“Alpha Frost,” Arden said formally, his voice laden with steel. He probably also noticed the alpha staring at me but didn’t feel the good intentions as clearly as I did.
Alpha Frost flicked his gaze to Arden, seemingly remembering he was in the room. Like I noticed earlier, he was young, maybe 20 at most. He was tall but on the thinner side for an alpha, almost lanky. It was hard to tell if that was just his build or if he was still growing into his frame. He had smooth brown skin, just a few tones lighter than Arden’s, with slightly slanted hazel eyes. He had a smattering of dark facial hair, like it was still growing in. His silky black hair was slicked back and off his face, but it likely fell close to chin length. He really was a handsome man, and honestly, I wished I felt some sort of attraction toward him, but I was just numb.
“Alpha,” the younger man said, directing his attention toward Arden. “May I have a moment to speak to Omega Strongfire?” He indicated me with his hand, as Lyric and I were both technically Omega Strongfire. Usually in situations like that, it would be acceptable to use our first names, even in a formal setting like this, but I guessed Alpha Frost was trying to be extra polite.
It didn’t stop Arden from stiffening up and taking a protective step in front of me, partially blocking my view of the alpha.
“For what purpose?”
The younger alpha’s jaw ticked but his tone and stance remained respectful. All the laws and customs that guided high-society culture could be overwhelming, and I was glad that as an omega, I could usually get away with staying quiet and keeping my eyes averted. It didn’t mean I followed that, but most people counted that as acceptable behavior.
It was different for alphas, though, and I was racking my brain, trying to figure out what formula the two alphas were following. I didn’t know anything about Alpha Frost, but being that he was a guest and Arden was technically staff, I assumed that he outranked Arden. However, there was something in the ridiculously long etiquette books I was given when I first moved to Orion’s that stated that an alpha acting as a bodyguard or guardian of a high-ranking omega must receive the respect normally granted to the alpha in ownership of said omega. So, since we belonged to Orion, who outranked this man, then he had to defer to Arden. At least, I was pretty sure how that worked.
“I just want to make sure he is okay. After earlier.”
Arden opened his mouth like he was about to refuse, but I lightly touched his arm, bringing his attention to me.
“It’s okay. May I please speak to him? I know he was concerned.”
Was it a rule somewhere that all alphas needed to have intense eyes? Despite mine and Orion’s being so similar, there was an edge to his gaze I’d never have. Don’t get me started on Emerson’s. It felt as if he were staring right into my soul as he watched me with his gray-blue eyes. Arden was always a little bit softer than the other alphas I knew, but as he watched me now, it was clear there was an edge to him as well. I tried not to squirm.
“Fine.” He glared at Alpha Frost. “Two minutes and right over there where I can still see you. He cannot be seen with another alpha unsupervised today, and I won’t allow it for his safety anyway.”
I flinched. Arden wasn’t being cruel, even if his words hurt, and he wasn’t wrong. My reputation was in tatters. If wandering eyes saw me in what could look like a compromising position again, that was it. The pressure on Orion to disown me would be tremendous. I knew he’d do anything to avoid that, but he might not have a choice. I needed to be extremely careful.
Alpha Frost nodded sharply and indicated a slightly more private spot near the lobby. Arden and Lyric would still be able to see me, but they wouldn’t hear what we were saying. Also, we were out of the direct path, making it harder for prying eyes.
I followed the alpha, but once we were out of the way, I just felt awkward. The man didn’t make me feel uncomfortable or fearful, but he was still an alpha, watching me intently, and today had been rough. I wrapped my arms around my body protectively as I waited for him to speak.
He didn’t though. He stayed quiet for long enough that it became uncomfortable. What was he waiting for? Should I say something first?
“Um—” I started.
That seemed to jump-start the alpha. He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
I looked up, meeting the kind alpha’s eyes. I was incredibly lucky that he was the one who walked in. It could have been disastrous if it were anyone else. I shuddered just thinking about it. But not only was this alpha keeping his mouth shut, according to Orion and Arden, but he made sure to seek me out and check on me. For the first time since the incident, I started to relax.
“I’m okay, alpha. I apologize that you walked in on that. I know it was entirely inappropriate. I appreciate your discretion.”
The alpha waved my apology off. “Please, call me Gideon.” That was new. Before Orion, I wasn’t even sure alphas had first names, as they would have never allowed me to use them. Now, it seemed everyone was changing. “You also don’t need to apologize to me or thank me. I never give into the pressure from those old birds. The rumors are bad enough. They don’t need any more fuel for the fire.”
He smiled warmly at me. I wished I could say I reacted to him the way I did to Emerson. Gideon seemed so kind, so sweet. I didn’t know his lineage, but he was likely from a good family or at least worked his way up into this crowd. He was much younger than my fated, a much more appropriate age for me, and he wasn’t unattractive. And yet—I felt nothing for him.
“As long as you say you are unharmed and safe, I will let it go and allow you to go back to your protector. I just needed to hear it from your mouth without others nearby.”
I glanced over at Arden. He hadn’t moved from his spot, but with the way he was glaring in our direction, I thought maybe he thought he’d be able to hear us if he stared hard enough. His arms were crossed over his massive chest, and I could just feel the energy vibrating off him. He was likely seconds away from stalking over here and dragging me away from Gideon. I smiled. It felt good to be cared for, even in a paternal type of way.
“Thank you, Gideon. I am safe and unharmed.” Sore, but I welcomed it. It was likely the only token of Emerson I’d ever receive and I would mourn it when it was gone. “What you saw, it was sort of a misunderstanding. Not what you’re thinking.”
Gideon shrugged. “I honestly don’t know what I saw. But I will leave that to Orion to figure out. He seems to have your best interests in mind.”
I smiled at that. “He does. He is a good brother and a good alpha.”
Gideon snorted. “I don’t think most of society would agree with the last one, but I do.”
That was true. My brother had been bucking traditions left and right since coming into his own in society. As much as he tried, he wasn’t very good at staying under the radar.
Gideon shrugged and glanced back at Arden. “Well, I must be going. I’ve reached my limit with events like this. But I hope to see you again, Omega Strongfire.”
