Chapter 2

Two

JADE

" Y our mom really wants you to mate up, huh?" said Vanessa.

My mom constantly glanced my way every few seconds while we stood off the dance floor in the ballroom. Her hawkish gaze was watching to see if any alpha would approach me.

"She does," I said.

For some reason, the alphas weren't approaching, and I wasn't wearing something ugly either. My dark purple floral dress hugged my breasts, showing off some cleavage, and it was honestly the best thing I had to wear today. Vanessa looked stunning in her silver dress that clung to her curves, her red lipstick accentuating her red hair. She was my brother's mate and had a pack of seven men.

Yep, seven .

While I had none. It sure was depressing as hell if I thought about it too much.

"I feel nervous about tonight," said Vanessa.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I'm a bundle of nerves for you. I have a good feeling you'll find your mate."

"That's not happening," I said. "How're the children?"

"Lyra organized a little daycare here at the palace, so I dropped them off there," said Vanessa.

Lyra was the princess of Howl's Edge and also a close friend of ours now. I met Lyra through Vanessa. And I had met Tiana through Keera. We were a tight-knit group of ladies, and I would volunteer several times to help babysit for them. So it was nice that Lyra had someone from her palace handle it for tonight.

"I want to see Gabe and Lacy later," I said.

"Of course! They won't stop talking about you," said Vanessa with a smile. "They miss you."

At that moment, Alex came up to us, his eyes on his lady. A pang went through me as I longed to have that type of connection an omega had with her alphas.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, bowing his head and sweeping his hand with a flourish to Vanessa. I smiled when I saw Vanessa blushing, even after two years of being mated to her pack.

"Sure," she said, placing her hand in his, and he kissed the top of it dramatically. Then he looked over at me and shook his head apologetically.

"Sorry, I didn't say hi. Hey Jade, how are you?" he asked after ignoring my existence for an entire five minutes.

"I'm great, and yourself?"

"Doing great. Gabey and Lacey miss you," he said, sweeping an arm around Vanessa's waist.

"I know. Vanessa mentioned it. I can't wait to see them later," I said, noticing they were itching to get close from how they looked at each other, his hand around her waist. "Have fun dancing."

"Thanks," said Vanessa, looking at Alex with heart eyes.

I watched as they joined the other packs on the dance floor. They were either coupled up with omegas or meeting each other for the first time. My mother was near the drinks, talking to other moms and occasionally looking in my direction. I wanted to disappear so bad. Standing off to the side alone did not look good for an omega.

I might as well get auctioned off.

A tall, distinguished-looking alpha was approaching my way, and I tried not to make eye contact. But it was too late, and he was already standing before me, his hand outstretched with a smile on his face. He had straight gray hair, swooped back, revealing sharp brown eyes. A tinge of arousal went through me as I gazed at him. I never imagined I'd have a thing for older men, but here I was, swooning over this one.

"Would you like to dance?" he asked.

"Sure," I said. I could feel my mother's gaze on me, and I knew she was probably excited to see me accept a dance from an older alpha. He gripped my hand as he led me to the dance floor. His other hand draped my waist when the next song started.

"I'm Bruce. What's your name, may I ask?"

Gosh, he was so polite and soft-spoken. I didn't know what to think.

"Jade," I replied. His lips turned up in a smile.

"Beautiful name," he said.

His compliment made me blush like a schoolgirl, and I was easily perfuming now. My omega scent of apples was escaping the scent blockers that I rubbed all over my skin. It's been a while since an alpha held me so close. His scent of sandalwood and leather ignited my senses as we twirled on the dance floor.

"Thank you," I said. "How old are you?"

Damn it .

I wanted to slap myself in the face after asking that question. It was so rude, and I just never seemed to have a filter.

"Forty-three," he said, his eyes twinkling. "Do you like older alphas, or do I scare you?"

"You don't scare me," I said. "Sorry about that rude question."

"Not many omegas are as blunt as you," said Bruce, chuckling. "It would take much more than that to hurt my feelings, beautiful."

"It's not often that I meet someone as charming as you," I said.

"You flatter me, but I have to say you have some good moves on you."

"I like dancing alone in my apartment," I said.

"I've been to a couple of these dances, but I don't think I've seen you before," he said, his hand pulling my waist closer to him as he dipped me.

"I come here every year," I said dryly.

He laughed out loud at my humor. Most people took it personally and didn't find me funny, so this was nice for a change. Someone that got me.

"I'm glad to have met you," he said when the song ended. "Would you like to grab a bite after the dance?"

I pulled away when the dance ended, surprised he still wanted to talk to me afterward.

"Maybe not tonight, but another time?" I suggested.

I liked him, but I never took things too fast like that. I needed time to lay in bed that night and daydream about him. I wanted to get hyped with the girls and tell them before I met up with him again.

He nodded eagerly. "Let me give you my number."

After exchanging phone numbers with Bruce, I decided to touch up my makeup in the bathroom. And also to escape my mother's curious gaze. Yep, she was definitely going to interrogate me. Fuck my life.

The hallway was large and elaborate as I walked down the regal purple and red carpeting, admiring the colors. The walls had paintings of past alpha kings of Howl's Edge. The deeper I walked down the massive hallway, the quieter it was from the mayhem at the ballroom. It was a welcome break, especially for me.

The bathroom was spacious, with ten stalls spread out from each other. A woman was in there washing her hands, leaving as soon as I entered. I set my clutch down on the counter and washed my hands as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A few strands of hair came loose from my high bun, but otherwise, it still looked good.

I actually met an alpha today who liked me and took the time to talk to me. I wondered if he had a pack. Like a hot pack.

Damn , I should have asked him. But that would make me look desperate. Bruce was a pretty decent alpha, and I already enjoyed being around him.

Upon leaving the bathroom, I heard an obnoxious male talking loudly next to the door. Annoyed, I turned to look at him. He was an alpha wearing an immaculate black suit, glaring at his phone as he hung up. He looked towards me, and I quickly started to walk away. I didn't want his attention on me at all.

But that didn't work when he started calling out for me.

"Hey," he said. Oh my God, what did he want?

I stopped and turned to face him.

"What is it?" I asked rudely. He didn't need to shout at me and release whatever anger he had toward the person on the phone at me. He made his way over to me, staring at me up and down. He had shoulder-length messy black hair and stark emerald eyes. The unstable but handsome as fuck guys. Just my type , I thought sarcastically.

"You fit the requirements," he said, his eyes wide as he gazed at my cleavage. I took a step back, and he stepped towards me in the dark hallway.

I was so confused. Was he out of his mind? I was ready to scream if I had to. But no one would hear me over the noise of the ballroom.

"What requirements?" I asked, my voice coming out in a squeak.

He pulled out a card inside his jacket and handed it to me. It was pink and flowery with the words Enchanted Nests on the front.

"I run a dating agency for omegas to match with wealthy alphas," he said. His words were tumbling out in a rush from his excitement. "We made a match, but their omega ducked out at the last minute. I'm about to lose a great deal of money, and you fit their requirements."

"Listen, I'm not looking to get matched," I said.

"You're unmated," he said, cutting me off and sniffing the air for my scent. "It's free for omegas to join. Just think about it, okay?"

He nodded towards the card in my hand and walked away toward the back entrance. When he opened the double doors, a powerful gust of wind hit me, raising my dress around my knees, and I watched as he disappeared into the night. I shook my head as I tucked the little card into my clutch. I sure as hell was never going to call and get matched up to a random group of alphas.

Did he think I was that desperate?

But the little voice inside me begged me to take any offer.