3. At the Tavern

Max

It had been a verylong day.

Luna Calia was on edge and weirdly aggressive all day. Her behavior didn't sit well with my wolf. He'd usually be furious with such a disrespectful tone—especially from an omega—but he was just as concerned as I was. Hell, even Demi didn't laugh as much today. The sweet beta did everything she could to ease Calia's temperament, but nothing she did worked.

"Why the long face?" A busty beta with yellow blonde hair sidled up next to me at the bar. A large mug of ale blanched on her tiny tray.

"Evening, Lindsay." I thanked her as she set down my drink. I'd already had three pints. I should probably slow down, but I was tired of worrying about things I had no control over.

A barking laugh erupted somewhere behind me, and I glanced up at the long mirror over the bar. It was busy tonight. The long tables were filled with young alphas, laughing and drinking. Stretching their legs after a long winter.

"You look intense today, Max," she said. I had known Lindsay since we were pups. We never had a love affair or anything like that, but we were friendly enough. "How are things?"

"Good," I lied, taking a long pull of my drink. The bitter liquid slipped down my throat, cooling my belly and settling my nerves.

"There's a lot of worry between those eyes for being good." Lindsay settled a hand on the curve of her hip.

"It's just the way my face is." I took another sip.

"Listen here, Alpha." Lindsay leaned in, giving me a full view of her impressive cleavage. I glanced away. Not interested in her like that. No. My wolf longed for one pretty blonde in particular, and no one else would do. "I've seen that handsome face a thousand times over the years," Lindsay continued, "and I know worry when I see it."

"Handsome?" I snorted. "That's a new one."

"Really?" Lindsay's voice pitched higher, surprised.

"Yup." I set my mug on the dark bar. "I've been called a lot of things. Ugly. Scary. Repulsive. But never handsome."

"You forget I knew you back before you got those scars." Lindsay slipped a finger down the deep scar along my cheek. It wasn't a lustful touch, but a sweet, gentle gesture. "You were always a handsome boy," Lindsay smiled. "And I always hoped you'd look my way, but you never did."

"You were too good for me." I played along with her charming game.

Lindsay tipped her head back, letting out a vibrant laugh. I snuck another quick glimpse of her tits. It was hard not to. They were bursting out of her too-tight dress. "I"m a twenty-eight-year-old beta that serves drinks at a run-down tavern, Max." She smiled wide. "I'm not too good for anyone."

"I take it things ended with Barrett?" I forced myself to look at her face.

Lindsay rolled her eyes. "The bastard left me for a beta that was ‘more respectable'." She groaned loudly. "Why is it alphas have no problem fucking a lowly bar-maid, but the second he thinks about having pups, he suddenly wants someone virginal and boring?"

"Boring?" I raised my eyes at her choice of words.

"Okay. Maybe she's not boring. But still. My point stands. I'm good enough for him to use to settle his nerves and warm his cock, but not good enough to meet his mother?"

I chuckled, careful not to say much else. After all, virgins weren't boring for most alphas, but I believed the number of partners a person had doesn't mean they'll be a bad mate either. In fact, I liked the idea of a mate with some experience under her belt. There was no need for gentle and coy when you"re with someone that knows what they like.

My mind drifted to Demi as I took another drink.

The sassy beta was a wild woman with a smart mouth. Was she just as intense in the bedroom as she was in real life? Would she talk dirty? Would she demand my cock or whimper like a virginal omega?

My cock plumped as I imagined wrapped her long, golden hair around my hand. I wanted to tug, forcing her head to one side as I fucked her into a pile of sex-soaked sheets.

"You okay?" Lindsay's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Yes." I cleared my throat roughly. "Long day." I downed the last of my drink.

"It looked like you disappeared for a second there." Lindsay stared at my face as if trying to make sure I was okay. It was kind of her, but I needed her to leave so I could adjust my cock. It was pushing hard against the front of my pants, my belt pushing deep into my shaft.

"Let me have another." I pushed my empty mug toward her.

"No problem." Lindsay smiled warmly, before sauntering away. I stared at her plush ass, admiring the way her tight dress hugged her curves. There was no denying that beta was a good-looking woman.

"Max." Kade slapped my back as he plopped onto the barstool next to me. "How are things?" The older alpha gave me a tired smile. Kade was always a friendly alpha. He was strict with the younger guards but easy going around the senior staff. It made it easier to go to him with problems concerning security.

"I'm good," I said. "And you?"

"Good."

It was an obvious lie. Neither one of us was good. I had an ill omega on my hands, and he was helping Davon with a colony of orcs not far from our borders. Admittedly, negotiations for peace had to be going somewhat okay. After all, the orc attacks had slowed to almost nothing since Davon started talking to their leader. From what I understood, things were going slow as the language barrier made things difficult at best, but they were still going.

"Can I get a pint?" Kade said to a passing waitress. She nodded at him, then rushed off to get his drink. "Long day?"

"Aren't they all?" I said, looking past a group of rowdy young alphas. The tables near the back were empty, cast in long shadows. It made me think of Demi coming here last night. I hope she doesn't do that again. She's too delicate to be exposed to the fuckers that frequent this place.

"Here you go, boys." Lindsay appeared, with two heavy mugs. She gave me a quick wink as she set them down.

Kade picked up his drink, then spun on his barstool, scanning the room. "How was the Luna today?"

I jerked, surprised that he"d ask that in such a public place. "Why do you ask?"

Kade cut me a tense look, then he leaned in and whispered, "Davon mentioned her health to me. He said she's been off. That last night she was burning up with a fever."

Anger cut through me and my wolf snarled. "That would have been important for me to know this morning," I snarled at the advisor. It was a mistake taking it out on him, but I couldn't help it. I already had one too many drinks. "I need to know these things to do my job well."

Kade nodded, giving me a sympathetic look. "I don't think Davon intended to share that information with me either." He sipped his ale. "He was stressed, and he blurted it out. I think he's scared."

"Has he brought in a healer to look her over?" I asked, concerned that he hadn't already.

"Apparently, Calia is refusing to be examined." Kade narrowed his eyes as if frustrated. He would never criticize Davon out loud for how he tended to his mate, but he clearly felt the same as me. Annoyed. "Is there something going on between you and Lindsay?" Kade's sudden question caught me off guard.

"What?" I looked over my shoulder, following Kade's gaze. Lindsay giggled, chatting up a very drunk alpha with thick red hair and a pushed up nose. She could do better.

"You and Lindsay." He motioned to her with his mug. The movement made his drink slosh over the sides. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"She's just a friend," I turned back around, staring at the tight row of whiskey bottles behind the bar. The dark liquid inside shimmered like gold.

"You know," Kade's voice lifted, more friendly. "It's not healthy for an alpha to go too long without a release."

"I'm not looking for that kind of companionship," I said into my half-empty mug.

"Thirty years old is still young, Max." Kade stood, downed the last of his ale, then slammed the mug onto the bar. "You're allowed a bit of fun." He tugged at his belt, pulling a few coins from his pockets. "Luna Calia will be just fine." He paid for his drink, then patted my shoulder. "Davon won't let anything bad happen to his mate."

I stared at the older alpha's back as he moved through the tavern.

I hoped he was right about Calia. I had grown almost fond of the feisty omega, and I'd hate for anything bad to happen to her. It would kill Davon, and more than likely destroy our tiny village.

"Anything else?" the barkeep asked, gathering my empty mugs.

A single bottle of whiskey caught my eye. It was a warm golden yellow. The same color as Demi's hair. "That one." I pointed at the bottle. "Give me a shot. A double."

I had no idea how much time had passed or how much I managed to drink. All I knew was that I felt good. So good that I wanted to do something a little bold and maybe even reckless. I wanted to march to Demi's cottage behind the packhouse and kiss her deeply. I needed to taste her sweet breath and feel her long hair tangled in my fist.

But she'd never go for a lug like me.

Demi was a lady through and through. Well-read and posh. She could easily be a Pack Alpha's mate or even a queen. She would look gorgeous in a crown, and only a crown. Long, golden blonde hair, exposed lush curves, and those pale green eyes. I'd gladly let her command me.

I sighed, ignoring my throbbing cock.

Even in my fantasies, Demi was too good for me.

Stumbling out of the washroom, I curled my hand around the empty bottle of whiskey, tipping it up to get the last few drops.

"Closing time, commander." The barkeep wiped the counter as I leaned against the bar.

My wolf yawned long and loud within me, telling me it was time to go.

"Alright." I mumbled, then swayed.

"Careful!" Warm hands smoothed around my middle, slipping over my abs and up my chest. It felt so good to be touched.

"Lindsay?" I squinted at the beta's face, struggling to focus. Yup, I had way too much to drink.

"Let me walk you to the alpha den." She wrapped her arm around my waist, holding me tight. She smelled good. Almost too good.

"I'm an alpha," I said firmly, trying to stand tall. "I would never let a beta walk me home. I walk you home." I had no idea what I was saying.

"That's fine." Lindsay gave me a friendly smile. It made her brown eyes twinkle in the dim light. She was very pretty. "Nothing would make me happier than for a big, sexy alpha to protect me from the shadows."

She was teasing me. I knew that. But I still liked it.

"Okay." I rested my hand on her hip as she walked me toward the door. Without meaning to, my hand drifted, over her impressive curves and down to her plush ass. "You feel good," I mumbled.

"Oh, you are looking for trouble tonight. Aren't you?" Lindsay giggled, pushing open the heavy tavern door. I shoved hard, holding it open for her.

The wind cut through the square, making the beta shiver. I wrapped my arms around her, and she snuggled against my chest. She was so soft and warm. My drunken gaze moved on its own, settling on her impressive cleavage. The plump mounds made my mouth water.

Fuck, it had been so long since I had enjoyed the touch of a woman.

"Lindsay." I leaned down, inhaling her faint beta scent. It was a gentle aroma. "You smell good."

Lindsay sighed, her breath slipping to almost a moan. "You are very drunk, Max," she said matter-of-factly, but she was still smiling. She was flirting back. "But if you don't stop being so charming, I might just let you take advantage of me." My wolf stirred with a deep, primal need, and my cock plumped.

A few yellow strands of hair danced around the beta's pretty face. I brush them away, caressing her cheek. "Fuck," I growled deep in my chest, "I love blondes."