Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Sharon

The deep throb of the base was a constant pulse, like a second heartbeat reverberating through my chest. It had begun before the first guests even arrived and continued as the room filled with men dressed in sharp suits. Most were alphas, although a few betas mingled amongst the larger dynamic, and many seemed to sport golden skin, with dark hair and eyes that gave them an exotic look. I'd caught snippets of another language being spoken here and there in the room, but I hadn't been able to pinpoint exactly what it was.

"Take this to the stage and make sure they don't need anything else. Alex has finally arrived, and they'll be gathering up there soon."

I met Emily's eyes as she placed a bottle of amber liquid on my tray. The fancy glass didn't have a label, because rich people were too good for that apparently. The party had been going on for over an hour already and I'd begun to wonder if the guest of honor was ever going to show since the throne had remained empty, but I was surprised to be the one sent to the stage.

"Are you sure you don't want to take it? I can cover the floor. Or I can find Sarah."

Once people had started arriving, the two waitresses had divided the floor in half, each taking a section, and leaving me to float around the room to catch anyone they missed. The other waitress who'd been supposed to help never arrived, but we'd managed to keep things under control so far.

"No, the stage is yours tonight. They shouldn't be too needy, so you can still float and help on the floor when you're free, but they're your top priority."

A sparkle of nerves danced through my stomach but I shoved it away. It wasn't like I was some newbie. I could handle one table, even if it was up on a stage, in view of the entire room.

"If you say so. Anything I should be aware of?"

The tilt of her lips and brows changed as she lifted her own tray, an amused glitter in her blue eyes.

"Don't be afraid to have fun. These parties are held in private rooms for a reason."

She disappeared back into the theater before I could process her cryptic remark. I'd been a bit nervous at first, but thought I'd hid it well, and the only thing I could think of was that it had been more obvious than I'd thought. Once I'd realized all three of us were omegas and the partygoers mostly alphas, there had been a moment when warning bells went off in my head, but nothing unexpected had happened. I'd told myself to relax and pasted on my usual smile and had even started enjoying working the floor. I just needed to settle into the new experience.

Before I could lift my tray to follow, my phone vibrated against my leg. I pulled it out of my apron to see a message from Cadence.

"Everything going okay? Do I need to send Leo down?"

I huffed before typing out a response and tucking the phone back into my apron. I loved that she was checking in on me, but I knew she had more important things to worry about.

"You know your alpha isn't going to leave your side. Everything is fine, and with what they paid me to be here, I doubt there's anything that would make me leave. You don't have to worry."

I missed having my friend at Frankie's, but I was happy for her. And maybe a little jealous that she'd found herself a hot alpha sugar daddy.

Smiling as I used my hip to bump open the door to the theater, I looked around at all the expensive suits.

Maybe I can find myself a hot alpha sugar daddy tonight.

I slipped between the massive bodies crowding the room, thankful for the scent dampeners used in the club. There were enough alphas in the room there was no way to completely block out their pheromones, but at least it wasn't overwhelming the way it would have been otherwise.

There were already people on the stage when I reached it. Two alphas reclined on the couch to the left of the mock-throne, and another stood in front of the table, blocking my view of the chair. All I could see of the man of honor was a hand curled over the end of the armrest, sporting a shiny watch probably worth more than my entire apartment building if the rest of the people in the room were anything to go by.

My natural instinct was to tuck my head and avoid eye contact, but I'd learned that was a terrible way to make tips, and while I might not have been working for them at the party, I wasn't going to give inferior service. The atmosphere was infectious, and the thought that tending bar would be more fun and lucrative had started creeping in again. I didn't want to ruin any chances I might have earned, because I'd be tempted to leave Frankie's for The Warehouse if given the chance.

I slowed my steps as I passed behind the standing alpha, waiting for a break in their conversation before moving forward to place my burden on the table. Smiling at each of the men, my breath caught when my eyes finally landed on the alpha seated on the throne.

No wonder Emily said I wouldn't want to leave.

I'd be the first to admit that I tended to prefer the alphas who were probably better given a wide berth. The cocky ones, who knew they looked good and could have what, and who, they wanted. The alphaholes my mamma warned me about, but I drooled over anyway.

I was an omega, after all.

The alpha was sprawled on the throne as if he truly was a king overlooking his subjects. His golden skin was burnished as if he'd just returned from a trip to the tropics where the sun had gently caressed his flesh, but hadn't dared to burn it. His black hair was slicked back from his face but looked like it would fall about chin length, the waves in it telling me it was likely curly when it wasn't tamed with a generous about of gel. His eyes appeared just as dark as his hair and the thick stubble gracing the lower half of his face, enhancing his sharp jaw and full lips.

He might as well have a neon sign above his head, flashing Bad News. Stay Away.

I had never been good at listening to warnings.

My core clenched and my nipples pebbled inside my bra as I sucked in a breath, trying to find his scent amidst the tangle permeating the area, but I wasn't close enough to figure out which of the flavors invading my lungs was his. The pheromone blockers didn't seem to extend to the stage and there were too many alphas close by.

I finally managed to peel my eyes away from him and get my brain working again, but there was no ignoring the tension that coiled in my lower belly.

"Good evening, alphas, I'm Sharon, and I'll be taking care of you tonight. I've got a special bottle just for you. Would anyone like ice, or is everyone drinking it neat?"

I was familiar with the lingering gazes of men, but there was something about being the focus of these particular ones that had the hair along my arms standing on end. I'd always tried to ignore my more submissive instincts, but a quick glance at the alpha on the throne and the hunger in his gaze had me ducking my head even as my core gave another desperate spasm.

"Some ice would be nice."

"Aww, c'mon, pussy. You'll ruin it."

The two alphas on the couch drew my attention as they bickered. I did my best to smile and pretend like slick wasn't seeping into my panties, but the urge to run was growing overwhelming, and they'd given me the perfect excuse to escape.

"I'll go grab a bucket for you then. Anything else?"

I avoided making eye contact as I glanced around, but I felt the heat of their regard. All four were alphas who would turn anyone's head on their own, but only the man of honor had me on the verge of panting, and he hadn't said a word yet, nor had I caught his scent.

"Not unless you're on the menu."

I shivered as the husky rumble poured over me, and there was no denying my panties were wet. The omega part of me was screaming yes, but I buried that hussy and reminded myself it was better to play hard to get, especially if I wanted him to chase.

Pretending I wasn't more affected by him than I had ever been by an alpha, I cocked a brow and smirked as I finally met his gaze again. The hunger in those dark eyes almost stole my breath again, but the chuckles of the other alphas reminded me I was still working and needed to keep my shit together.

"Your tastes seem a little fancy for me to qualify. I'll be back with the ice in a minute."

I turned and walked away before he could say anything else, holding my breath to keep my back straight as I wove between the clumps of people beginning to dance. A few more women had arrived, each polished and perfect looking, and most appeared to be omegas.

That inner part of me that was more animal than anyone would admit snarled, wanting me to turn around and go back to the alpha on the throne. Instinct pushed me to take the chance while I had the alpha's attention, before one of these others stole it, but I still had a job to do even if I was tempted to entertain the thought of playing along with him.

I tried to take calming breaths as I found a small ice bucket and filled it behind the bar. Two men had arrived to run it once the party started, but both were busy at opposite ends, taking orders and filling glasses. Being betas, I hadn't even spared them a second glance, having too much alpha eye candy to distract me.

My racing heart finally slowed, the heat under my skin fading. The only explanation for the way I'd reacted was that since the scent dampeners weren't sprayed above the stage, and with my cycle due in a couple weeks, I was more susceptible to the pheromones of the alphas who'd surrounded me. They had certainly seemed more dominate than most, acting as if being the center of attention was nothing new to them.

Pulling in a steadying breath, I left my tray behind and headed for the door to the theater, reassuring myself I had everything under control.