9. CAMILA

Chapter nine

CAMILA

I'm shaking an Omega's hand, giving him my name—the same Omega who just made me orgasm on the dance floor. The same Omega who's currently looking at me like he wants to take me apart. The same fucking Omega who saw my damn list.

My cheeks heat as I try to untangle myself from him but he isn't letting go. Embarrassment ruins the sex high as I bury my face into his chest. Sasha Fox isn't just beautiful. He reminds me of Reid, an elegant Beta with a lean body and muscles lining his arms and chest. Sasha is a few inches taller than me and despite his designation, he's stronger than I am.

And yet, I don't feel forced to be here in this moment. I'm sure if I asked, Sasha would release me in a heartbeat. He's pushing my boundaries but he isn't forcing them. Case in point the way he asked me multiple times if I was okay, if I wanted more. God, I've never been so forward in my life. I can't even blame the tequila. I'm a quiet drunk, usually.

If I wasn't so horrified about our first meeting, I would continue to ogle him a little longer.

"Camila, buttercup, it's fine. "

I don't budge, unable to believe that. My throat tightens as I try to gather my emotions, hoping and praying that Sasha won't actually catch me crying. That isn't my go-to emotion but all of this shit is a little overwhelming. "I just… I need a minute. Please." Sasha releases me slowly, dissecting my expression. It's strange to be under his spotlight, to have an Omega's full attention on me. My cheeks heat again as I clutch my purse at my side a little tighter to keep it from falling again.

"Will you be back?" Sasha asks. Such an innocent yet loaded question. I don't know what to say to that. "I want you to meet my Alphas, officially, Camila."

My eyes widen as I stare at the beautiful Omega in front of me. Reid and Violet have told me at different times that Omegas, once they find a mate, move quickly. They are territorial of their mates and I've seen it firsthand when Ethan was first dating Reid. There might have been two weeks before Reid was fully bonded into that pack. He doesn't regret it but that's too fast for me.

Too much.

To go from nothing to three men? That's what Sasha is offering, right?

"Hey, Camila, hey. We don't need to rush this. Goddess, you're adorable. Come here." His arms wrap around me again and it's like his presence clears the unrest and anxiety in my head. "I knew you were mine the moment Amiri started talking about the Beta at the coffee shop but sucking your scent off Kolsen's lips sealed the deal. You're mine, buttercup, ours. "

I shiver in his hold, believing those words and yet still needing a moment to gather my thoughts. He kisses my forehead before he points to a door across the room. I scurry across the dance floor, head tucked as I speed toward the women's bathroom. It's just past the bar, a long hallway separate from the chaos of the club.

I let myself finally take a deep breath, my skin flushed with heat as I think about Sasha and his Alphas. The lingering desire has skyrocketed to absolute need, my pussy clenching around the ghost of Sasha's fingers. This has to be the alcohol because the feelings swirling around in my chest are impossible. I just met these men. Swallowing down those thoughts, I push into the bathroom and set my purse on the edge of the sink before liberally coating my face with water until my face no longer feels hot.

"What am I doing?" I ask myself. "Why am I even here?" My eyes scan my form, the rosy cheeks and dilated pupils. The ghost of Sasha's touch is everywhere, his thick scent wrapping around me like a warm blanket. There's hidden notes of rum and coffee from his Alphas, a mixture that has me darting my tongue out to lick my lips to taste more of it. Heat bleeds through me as the flavors explode on my tongue and I grip the edge of the sink, my thighs pressing together.

Highly. Inconvenient.

My phone buzzes and I pull it out, Reid's name rolling across the screen. "Hey," I say lamely.

"Hey, yourself. You okay? Violet and Sofie have been looking for you. Said you disappeared with a Beta over half an hour ago."

My face warms again and I sigh, realizing that that might be a permanent state of my cheeks for a while. "I'm good. I'll come over in a little bit." That's not convincing at all but how do I explain that I found my mates over the phone? And that they're the owners of the club? No doubt my luck will run out and there's someone in the stalls listening in to spread rumors later.

I dry myself off and gather my belongings before heading out of the bathroom only to run into Teo. His eyes light up as his hands fall to my arms, a smile spreading across his face. "Camila!" He slurs. "Just looking for you." My disinterested groan is the wrong response as he tugs me against the opposite wall, barring my escape. A quick nut shot might work again but the way he's angled with his hips away from me means my short legs might miss.

"That's nice. You should go find your fiancé."

"No, no," he hiccups. "You… my Beta."

I narrow my gaze at him, wondering what game he's playing. There's absolutely no reason for me to agree to his proposal and for him to find me while he's drunk and leaning to the right is pitiful. It makes me think that I'm more than just a pack Beta to him but he's got his head stuck so far up his own ass that he can't see it. Too bad that I've already moved on.

In less than twelve hours, I've been showered with more attention than Teo has given me over the past three months. Choosing my mates whom I barely know over this bastard seems like a wise choice. "What do you want, Teo? Like, truly ? Because you seemed awfully happy with Penelope wrapped around you earlier. Asking me to be your pack Beta is an insult ."

He shakes his head and then stumbles forward, my face scrunching up in disgust. He smells like tequila. God, if he throws up on me, I will throat-punch him. "Still love you, Camila."

Well, this is embarrassing. I'm also not falling for it. The version of me three months ago might have fallen over backward for this confession but now? Teo can go to hell, especially when one of his hands raises to caress my face. I'm faster, jabbing at his neck so that he jerks back, coughing and sputtering. His expression darkens, his aura thickening until I know he's about to rage. He rushes toward me, my bag flying across his face to throw him off guard. That grants me a frustrated growl as he staggers back and I thank God that he's as drunk as he is.

"Don't touch me, asshole. You made your choice. Everyone at church saw you choose Penelope. You don't get to come back to me after all that. It also happens that I don't really like you so all those pent-up feelings need to find somewhere else to go." God, it feels so great to get those words out but staying here any longer isn't going to help me. Teo probably won't even remember this conversation.

I spin on my heel, sighing as I realize Sasha is standing there, rage lingering in his expression. He really doesn't resemble an Omega and with the fierce look on his face, he reminds me of a feisty little Alpha, one that has his sights on Teo. "Is this him? That Teo guy?" Sasha spits out. He stalks toward me, his attention shifting to my face as his fingers grip my chin. Despite the tense situation, his touch is soft just like his Alphas. "Did he touch you?"

"No. He tried and I throat-punched him. I would really not like to be here right now and if you touch him, he has enough connections to make everyone's lives a living hell." It's his parent's money but Teo doesn't really have rules when it comes to finances—case in point the entire room he rented for tonight.

I push against Sasha's chest, trying to get him to understand that a fight with Teo isn't worth it. Teo's still growling and I twist around to see the drunk Alpha taking small steps forward. "Get your… hands off my- "

"She is not your anything as I've been told. I've also been told that you have a fiancé somewhere in this building. I would suggest sticking by that Omega's side rather than Camila."

Teo grunts. "First name basis? You get around-"

My body freezes as Teo takes another step forward before crashing into the wall. Sasha chuckles and releases me before walking over to my ex-Alpha. "I feel like your words are meant to hurt but with the Alphas she's chosen in your stead, I do have to say she's upgraded. Now, next time something nasty comes out of that mouth of yours, you can find your way out of Temple. Permanently."

"Camila is-"

Slap. I stare in horror, watching a red print slowly start to form on Teo's cheek. He slumps against the wall and slides down to his ass, his energy gone as the alcohol steals what's left. Sasha bends over, his next words barely above a whisper but I hear the threat in his voice. "I don't think I like her name on your lips." Sasha marches back over to me, throwing out his hand for me to take.

My breath hitches in my throat at the unspoken promise he's offering.

"I don't bite, buttercup. Not unless you want me to and to be honest, that's more of Amiri's thing." I swallow nervously and take his hand, Sasha pulling it to his lips for a soft kiss. "I got you. I'm going to take you somewhere a little quieter so we can talk, alright?" Sasha leads me down the hallway, away from the main part of the club until we reach what looks like the entrance to an apartment. He uses a badge of some sort to let us in, the space opening up into a foyer that contrasts the small hallway outside.

Neither of us speaks until he's stuffed me into a rather large armchair, our hands still intertwined as he crouches in front of me. My gaze flits around the room, a simple elegance covering every surface. The cream walls and marble floors don't scream money like I thought they would. It reminds me of Zana's house, a warm, homey feeling but with the added scents of Sasha's Alphas.

Being inside Sasha's house is an honor and while it is custom to offer respect to an Alpha, it is the Omega who chooses who can come and go into their private spaces. My mother was the same way but Dad usually ignored her wishes. Ethan loves everyone but there's been a few that he refuses to have in the house which says a lot given my brother's personality.

"Would you like me to take you home?"

I frown and look down at him, finally getting a good look at the Omega that is finding his way into my heart. The bright lights bring out his gorgeous bronze skin and green eyes staring back at me. Tight curls cover the middle of his head, the sides shaven to complement the sharp angles in his face. My gaze continues lower, falling on the metal chain around his neck, accompanied by his Alphas' bites on either side but it's the metal through his nipples that catch my attention.

"You can touch, buttercup."

I'm not used to being given permission but I can't stop myself from reaching forward and fingering the loose chains around his neck. Sasha shudders beneath my touch, still holding onto my other hand as I tug just the slightest bit. The chains tighten, curiosity taking over my rational mind as I pull harder. Sasha jerks forward as the chains tighten further, his eyes darkening with pure desire. His scent blasts through the room as I hold onto his collar, both of us breathing heavily and unable to snap out of the moment.

"Keep holding me like that, buttercup, and I'm going to want to do very, very dirty things to you." His gaze dips to my thighs, heat rushing through me at the thought of his fingers inside of me again. Or his tongue. Or God, his cock. "Fuck, Camila, I can smell you. You're not as innocent as you look, are you? That list of yours, goddess, I want to help you check off every. Last. One." His words come out in a purr, my legs parting of their own accord.

My panties are soaked with my arousal, a whimper tearing from my throat when an added scent enters the room. Gray eyes meet mine, Amiri standing at the edge of the room as he surveys the scene. This could make or break the moment. Sasha's Alpha could veto my presence in their apartment or decide that I'm not worthy of being their mate. After all, I only acknowledged their existence this afternoon.

Sasha hardly misses a beat. "Mmm, Ames can watch or would you rather him taste you?"

The slow whine that passes through my lips gives them both the answer they're looking for. This is more than the tequila. Is this what it feels like to be around mates? The unbidden desire to please and to be pleased? To want pleasure? To crave it?

Amiri stalks forward, shivers crawling up my spine at the dark look in his eyes. He hovers a few inches away before leaning over to attack my lips, a hand slipping around the front of my throat to gently stretch me upward. I'm fully extended, my fingers still tangled in Sasha's collar as Amiri thrusts his tongue into my mouth. There is no mistaking this Alpha's dominance, no contest as he demands that I submit.

For the first time, I lean into his gentle but firm touch and give him what he wants.

My submission.