Chapter 1

Chapter One

CERENITY

C lub Serene is busy tonight. Looking around at the writhing bodies on the dance floor, grinning patrons, and busy bartenders, I find myself proud of what I've built over the last five years.

"Business is good," Augustine Dray says behind me, his large hands engulfing my waist.

Inhaling deeply in surprise, I'm reminded of the alpha scent blocking spray that I use daily before walking out the door. Each spray lasts for three days, but I'm a little obsessive about the stuff.

My mother lost her mind to alphas, I never want to find my scent match or to be driven mad from their presence. If I can't smell them, then it's easier to be able to stay in control. I've been using my spray for years, specifically since the day I presented as an omega at seventeen.

Leaning into my best friend, I grin as I look up at him. His hair is tousled over his forehead, since he doesn't use any product in it, because he's always running his hands through it, and his white teeth are even more brilliant against his tanned skin as he grins back at me.

"Friday nights are always busy, Auggie," I tell him, needing to yell so he can hear me.

"They're here because you've created something amazing," he rumbles into my ear, making me shiver.

We've flirted for the past six years, when we met at a mixer. My friend dragged me to it, and it's the last one I ever attended. The way the alphas' eyes stared predatorily at the omegas, like they were a juicy steak for the taking made me very uncomfortable.

Augustine growled at a group of alphas that surrounded me and were posturing to get me to take them home with me. The flier for the mixer promised it would be a safe environment, but clearly lied.

Augustine scared them off before dropping into the seat across from me, looking a little tense, but gave me the most gorgeous lopsided smile. He made me feel safe, and we spent the rest of the day hanging out even after the mixer, which is how we're now still platonically attached at the hip.

The mixer solidified my decision that I am perfectly happy being alone. I have a few acquaintances that I'm friendly with and Auggie is my best friend. I'm good. I have toys to weather my heats. I've never had a knot that's not silicone before, and I doubt that I ever will, though I know it bothers Augustine.

Pulling my mind away from such depressing thoughts, I turn in Augustine's arms.

"Need me for anything, or do you want to take me out on the dance floor? I need to let loose," I tell him with a wink.

Augustine stares at me for a moment with his intense green eyes, and I know it's because he tracks my heats. It would be creepy if we weren't roommates, and I kick him out for a few days during it to spend the night at a hotel.

At least, I think he stays at a hotel. I don't usually ask how he spends that time. For all I know, he could be shacking up with a girl. I always feel bad about it, but it's for the best. His alpha tendencies wouldn't allow himself to hear me in distress, which would make him rip the hinges off my closet.

I have few things that really show off my omega tendencies, but my closet is a huge one. I spend a lot of time ignoring my designation until it rears its ugly head. I split the large room into two parts, one houses my clothes and the other is my nest.

We'd probably never get the deposit back on our apartment if we rented, but I don't really give a shit. The bathroom is an en suite, and something Auggie insisted I needed.

"As if I could say no to an invitation like that," he teases me with a smirk, jerking his chin toward the dance floor.

Holding in a girly squeal that would probably make me lose the confidence of my employees, I stalk through the club. I'm known for being a hardass while being fair. Most people forget I actually am an omega with my funky hair, tattoos, and no fucks attitude, but I unfortunately smell like an omega.

I hate wearing descenting lotion, because it makes my skin crawl. It feels as if I'm losing a part of myself whenever I do it. Augustine knows this about me, and simply tells me not to spend so much time denying who I am.

There are bouncers all over the club, it's not as if anyone could get away with something here without someone seeing.

Holding this knowledge close to my heart, I enjoy the way people move for Augustine and I as we head into the sea of bodies dancing. My heat isn't due for at least a week, so I don't know why I feel off. There's all of this energy trapped inside of my body, and the only thing that helps is to dance.

I know other people would say I should fuck it out, but I'm a virgin, and I'll probably die one as well. I just can't find myself trusting someone enough to give them my body, even outside of a heat.

I can't let myself think that way about Augustine, even as his arms pull me into his body, allowing me to dance with abandon, knowing I'm protected. My muscles turn languid as the music moves through me, my hips swaying to the DJ's beat.

I only employ the absolute best talent, which means sometimes I'll give an unknown person a try, because I've heard that they can bring it. There's a passion flowing in their veins crying out for a chance.

The crowd sings the lyrics of a popular song, and I drop my head back to sing as my body moves. Auggie and I listen to a lot of music together, so he belts out the lyrics as he dances with me.

My best friend is an alpha with brown hair and green eyes, enough muscles to make me feel tiny, and he's six-foot-three. The well trimmed scruff he has along his face and upper lip brings more than a few women sniffing around him at my club, but he ignores them all.

My heart always beats a little faster when this happens, because I know he'll eventually find a beautiful omega who will give him everything I can't.

For now, I drink him in, admiring the way his black shirt stretches tightly along his shoulders and chest, and how sinful his legs look encased in his dark wash jeans. Fuck, he's going to make a girl really happy one day.

I need a drink, but I refuse to imbibe while working, so I dance with Augustine until I'm exhausted and sweating.

"Let's get you some water before you pass out, dancing queen," Auggie says in the shell of my ear.

Goosebumps erupt over my skin as I nod, turning to head off the dance floor. My long blue hair is up in a ponytail, the curls flowing down my back as I walk. I'm dressed for comfort, knowing I'll be here until closing, the ripped black jeans and black crop tank-top a staple in my closet.

There's always a knife in my back pocket ready to be wielded, making me think I may have inherited some of my mother's paranoia. It's yet another thing that keeps me up at night, the nightmares from some of my mother's worst episodes growing up.

I don't know if she always had this break in reality in her mind due to some family history I'm unaware of, or if the trauma caused this. I can't exactly call up any living family members either, because my mother cut all ties with them when they refused to pay for her schooling.

They didn't think she needed it as an omega.

God, this society is so fucking broken. Most universities aren't set up to be able to support omegas and alphas attending a space in such close quarters, which is when nonconsensual sexual relations occur.

The administration tends to turn a blind eye on it, making parents worry about sending their kids to school. Aisling and Wren, the omegas who are setting up The Omega's Haven, are doing such amazing work to put in place resources for all omegas.

They're feisty, smart, and dedicated. I'll throw my weight behind them all day long to make this happen. If my mother and I'd had somewhere to go, then we probably wouldn't have spent our lives on the run.

The what ifs are enough to drive a girl crazy.

At the bar, I raise a finger patiently, knowing my bartender will get to me as soon as possible. I don't need special treatment just because I'm the owner, nor do I expect it. My gaze drifts over the club as I turn to survey the area, feeling Augustine's protective presence as I do.

There's a man leaning threateningly over one of my dancers, making me frown. He doesn't look familiar from my vantage point, and I know all of our regulars. They also fucking know I won't tolerate abuse of my employees or anyone in my club.

This is a safe fucking place to come let off some steam and have a good time, as well as make a damn living. Róisin has been working as a cage dancer for the club for the last few months, and they begin dancing in the next five minutes or so.

I pay her well for losing herself to the music as she dances and entertains the throngs of dancers below her. She must be on her way to her cage, as it's behind the pillar where she's being pushed into.

Tensing, I swallow hard, waiting for someone to notice. It's busy, and this asshole is taking advantage of her skimpy clothing. I can see from here the way she shakes her head before trying to escape, and as the alpha pinches Róisin's breast, I'm done waiting. I can tell he's an alpha due to his size, even with my nasal spray.

Turning away, I boost myself up onto the bar, crawling until I can lean over to grab a bat that I keep there. While I may have my knife in my back pocket, that's a bit much for what I have in mind. I'd rather give him a good old fashioned beat down.

"Cerenity? Do we have a problem, Sweetheart?" Augustine drawls.

"Yep," I grunt, realizing he probably can't hear me while I'm upside down, even with great hearing.

Pulling myself up, I show him my trusty weapon, Menace, which makes him smirk as he helps me back over. Do I need help? No, but I don't mind it when offered.

Especially from him.

Glancing over my shoulder at the nearest bartender, I wink at Alan to let him know I may need a little backup to throw him out. This is one of those instances where being short doesn't help me, but I'll twist his arm behind his back and crab walk the fucker out if necessary.

Alan nods, already moving to find a bouncer or two.

I'll need to find out why Róisin wasn't escorted out here. On a night this busy, it's pretty normal operating procedure, but now I'll possibly have to beat the shit out of someone who doesn't understand the word no.

Striding across the room with Auggie at my back, I inhale as I get ready to get loud.

"Hey!" I yell, my voice rising over the music. The alpha scowls over his shoulder at me, but my employees aren't here for that kind of entertainment.

Even if they were, it would have to be consensual, and Róisin's panicked eyes and shaking head run over and over in my mind right now. Not in my club, never on my watch.

"What do you want, bitch?" the alpha snarls. He's wearing a really nice suit, making my lip curl. The dickhead must think having money also means he can touch whatever he wants.

Cute.

Rage flows through my veins as I remember how rich my sperm donors were, and how they mistreated my mother. My fist clenches as I get a hold of my anger. I need to channel it, deal with this guy, and then hit the gym that's open all night after the club closes.

I have anger management issues, but beating the shit out of something or someone usually helps.

"I want you to back the fuck up," I growl, shoving the business end of Menace into his ribs. "You're making my employee uncomfortable, and I believe that she already told you to leave her alone. Now, kindly get out of her way so she can do her job."

See, I can be nice.

"Do you know who I am, cumrag?" he roars.

Auggie starts to yell, while I lose myself to the red haze of anger as I swing down with my bat on his knee, making him crumble. I vaguely watch as Róisin ducks under the alpha with the over inflated ego's arm, and then I strategically beat the tar out of him, until he's screaming on the ground.

I'm wearing my favorite black combat boots tonight, and can't help myself from stomping on his tiny dick. Smirking as he screams, I step back and nod at my bouncers.

"Please take the trash out for me," I grunt. Swallowing hard, they nod, picking up his arms and legs.

The music is still raging on, which are my instructions in the case that this ever happens, so there are minimal gawkers. My lips part in a feral grin as I look over the people who are staring at me, and I'm intensely grateful that my hair stayed out of my face. The asshole has a few broken bones and a bruised dick, but I didn't make him bleed much, so I consider it a win.

"Club Serene is a safe place for my patrons," I call out to them, making sure they can hear me. "This alpha broke our rules, and was harassing one of my cage dancers."

Eyes move to look up to see Róisin dancing overhead, and they nod. She's already a favorite at the club, and the faces around me look angry.

"Thank you for taking the time to take out the trash, Cerenity," one of the girls in front of me says, snagging the hand of one of her friends. "Now that the coast is clear, let's go dance!"

Taking a moment to breathe, I gaze around at my surroundings. Auggie is livid next to me, interrogating the bouncers about why they didn't notice that, and as the manager of the club, it's well within his rights to do so. They appear angry and chastised, nodding their heads at whatever he's saying.

Xander stalks back in with Blake on his heels, looking worried as they approach us. Touching Augustine's elbow with the hand not holding the bat is enough to pause his next words, I wait for the bouncers who threw the alpha out to report to me.

"We may have a problem," Xander grumbles. "Can we talk in your office? I also think we need to make sure everyone is moving through the club better."

The bouncers to my right know they're in deep shit, standing taller. "I'm so sorry, I'll make sure I'm walking a wider band around the club," one of them says. "Róisin shouldn't have been cornered like that, either. She didn't want to wait for me to come out of the bathroom, and went ahead of me."

"If the cage dancers are walking the club floor, hold your bladder or clamp down on your fucking sphincter," I growl, not waiting for an answer as I jerk my head for Xander and Blake to follow me to my office. The other men know they fucked up, and I don't give very many second chances.

I have a reputation in Minneapolis for running a tight, neutral establishment. I don't care if you're in the mafia, a police officer, an alpha, a beta, or a Goddamn kangaroo, you'll treat everyone here with respect. It's the reason why my club is packed every night that we're open, and people keep returning.

Turning into a hallway away from the club goers, I walk back to my office, placing my thumb over the lock to open it. Auggie's hand shoves it open as I walk through, flicking on lights as I move toward my desk.

Facing the alphas as they enter, I raise my brow as I drop the bat in front of me.

"Give it to me straight, gentlemen," I murmur.

Xavier sighs as he closes the door behind him, holding his wrist behind his back. The alpha has been out of the military for years, if he's falling into this habit, I really am in deep shit.

"First, I want to apologize for the lack of security presence on the floor," he begins. "This shouldn't have happened, and then you wouldn't have had to handle things the way you did. While throwing out the injured alpha, he spouted off a lot of nonsense, but he mentioned his name. It's Arthur Bailey, who is one of Tommy Madden's made men, in the British mafia in Chicago."

"What was he doing at my club in Minneapolis?" I ask. This could be really bad if Tommy decides to retaliate, though he was at my club a couple of months ago for the Omega's Haven fundraiser. His best fighters fought for the charity, and then donated all of the bets placed.

It was extremely generous of them. I think one of his men is Wren's brother, which is why he extended the favor.

Still, just because he's willing to do something nice, doesn't mean he's not going to snap back because I beat the shit out of one of his men.

"No idea," Xavier grunts.

"Some of their business does bleed outside of Chicago at times," Blake says softly. "Regardless, please watch yourself when you're outside of the club. They're vicious about taking care of their own."

"Thank you, Blake, I'll do that. Now, what are we going to do about security on the floor?" I ask.

If we're going to be here, may as well make it into a productive team meeting.

Forty minutes later, I'm really fucking thirsty and need to work out some energy. Dancing helped, but my anger feels right on the surface tonight.

Auggie stops me as I begin to follow my security team.

"You okay? Need to go a couple of rounds in the ring?" he asks.

"Yes please," I say. "I'm twitchy as fuck, and need to punch something. As soon as I know the club is locked down for the night, we can leave together."

Augustine and I tend to drive together to work, because it seems silly not to when we're going home to the same place. The only time this isn't the case, is if one of us is running errands beforehand. After tonight, I'm sure he'll be a little extra growly about making sure I stay safe.

The next two hours fly by, and then we're leaving to head to the gym, knowing the club is shut down properly.

A yawn escapes me as I pick up my water bottle to take a sip, making me roll my eyes.

"I may not last long tonight, but I want to spar at least once," I admit.

"Yeah, right," he teases me. "As soon as you get moving, the adrenaline will kick in and I'll have to carry you out of there. This isn't my first rodeo, Sweetheart."

My heart flip-flops at his easy term of endearment, and I force myself to shrug as if I'm indifferent. We both keep our gym bags in his truck, so it'll be easy to change. Once we arrive, I grimace as I dig into my bag to pull out a quick descenting perfume. It's expensive, but I like it more than the lotion, and it does the trick of neutralizing my scent.

I know better than to sweat in a gym filled with alphas, because my pheromones are thicker than usual.

"I hate when you wear that stuff," Augustine groans.

"Do you know how many fights you'd get into if I didn't wear this?" I ask him, smirking as he nods. "It doesn't last as long, and I'll shower it off when we get home. Right before my head hits the damn pillow."

Quickly spritzing my skin, I watch as Augustine crinkles his nose. God, he's such a baby. I'll have to give myself another quick spray once I'm in my gym clothes.

"Alright, let's go while I have the energy," I tell him.

Getting out of the truck, we walk across the parking lot to the gym and sign in. Augustine gives zero fucks, following me into the bathroom after checking to make sure it was empty, and changes in the stall next to me. He's so protective, which I know has to be from his alpha instincts.

You can't fight biology.

Throwing our bags into a locker, we head out to spar in one of the private rings available for gym members. I'm a decent fighter, but I try not to let too many people know this. There's too many punks who decide that they want to mess with the cute little omega, and I'm trying my best to stay out of jail.

After stretching to ensure neither of us will strain something, we both tape up our hands and begin. The world drifts away, along with all of its annoyances, till the world pinpoints to Auggie and his next move.

Over and over we go, each of us winning a round as we spar. I may be small, but I'm fucking scrappy, and I rarely play fair. Breathing hard, Augustine taps out first.

"At this rate, we'll both be face planting into our pillows," he teases me. "Let's grab some milkshakes on the way home and call it good."

"Why do you know all of my weak spots," I moan as I nod in agreement, slowly removing the tape from my hands.

Augustine gets his off faster than I do before helping me unravel the bright tape. Thanking him, we suck down water as we leave, and I can feel fatigue starting to drag at my body as we pick up our gym bags from the locker room.

"Don't fall asleep on me yet," Augustine says, snickering. "It's a good thing you can sleep in tomorrow and that it's an admin day. The club is closed."

Waving goodbye to the beta manning the desk, we leave the gym, walking to the truck. The all-night diner is down the street, and the cookies and cream milkshake hits the spot, injecting sugar into my veins.

"Can we get pancakes for breakfast?" I ask suddenly, really wanting them now.

Glancing at me from the corner of his eye, he nods as he continues to drive, drinking his own apple pie caramel milkshake. It's odd that he always chooses that, when my scent is apple pie.

It's why my mother always insisted on making it for me on my birthday, other than it being one of my favorite desserts as well. It's one of the only good memories I have about her.

"Yes, we can," he says, amused by my cravings. "Do you want to go to Craven Ridge Diner? We can go for a run beforehand."

"That sounds amazing," I say with a sigh. The diner is just outside of the city, and there is a beautiful state park that features the pancake establishment. It shouldn't be busy on a Monday either.

It's the perfect way to start the week.

"We'll swing by the apartment to shower and change, and then I have to work on some accounting."

I don't trust people to do my books, so I do most of the administration work myself.

"Perfect. The dancers will be working on some routines tomorrow, but it shouldn't disturb you," he says. "I have some errands to do tomorrow too, so please don't leave without me."

"But Daddy," I whine, enjoying as the tips of his ears turn red. "What if you get caught up in your stuff, and I finish up early? I'll probably go straight home to nap anyway, and you know I can take care of myself."

"Cerenity," Augustine growls. While the spray helps keep alphas' scents away, I still want to submit when he growls at me like that.

Swallowing hard, I tell my greedy pussy to calm herself down. Sucking on my straw, I decide a very cold shower sounds perfect before bed. I can't use my toys, because Auggie shares a wall next to my room, and I'm not quiet enough.

Roommate problems, for sure, but he's the best person to share an apartment with, so I can't complain.

"I'm open to renegotiating in the morning," I tell him with an innocent smile.

I'm very good at negotiating, so I'm not worried as he nods. My sugar rush rides through me to carry my energy through getting home, pulling off my clothes in my bathroom to shower, and tossing on a comfortable hooded T-shirt before I pass out.

The shirt is giant on me, and I'll deny that it's Augustine's if ever asked, but it's comfortable.

Even if I can't smell it.