11. Juno

JUNO

“So who’s coming to pick you up?”

“Isaac. The prime alpha.”

Juno was feeling out of sorts in a black cocktail dress, red lipstick and hair in a sleek low bun. She had ordered it because it was both long-sleeved and high-necked, thinking she would feel more comfortable being a bit more covered up. Too bad it was sinfully short and outrageously figure-hugging to compensate.

“Fuck me, I can’t wear this. It did not look like this on the model in the picture,” Juno swore as she glared at her reflection.

“Well it should have. They would have sold many more,” Hazel said, adding that she’d kill Juno if she changed and bury her in that dress. “It’s even black, Junie. It’s perfect!” She clapped her hands gleefully as Juno cursed some more.

The two of them were currently waiting in the lobby at the entrance of the Omega Village, the only place alphas were allowed.

“He’s not one of the ones you had a scent attraction to, was he?”

Juno shook her head and Hazel’s eyes narrowed. “And he is aware and won’t push things?”

“Yes! I swear. We’re on the same page.”

“Ok good.” She seemed satisfied. “Weird though, usually primes are the hottest alphas in their pack. Based on my extensive research,” Hazel tittered.

“Dunno what to tell you, Hazel,” Juno shrugged.

“Obviously, I mean from reading Page Slick,” Hazel corrected lightly. “And from banging them,” she added a moment later.

Juno giggled helplessly, thankful for Hazel’s moral support. It did a good job at keeping her distracted from the fact that her butt was going to fall out of her hemline.

They both flicked their heads around upon hearing the squeak of the lobby door opening. Isaac stepped through, wrapped in a tailored-to-perfection dark emerald suit paired with a black shirt, left open at the neck. He greeted the doorman amicably, tilting his head towards Juno in response to his inquiry.

Hazel grabbed Juno’s arm urgently and spun her so they were face to face. “Juno, are you blind and just haven’t found the time to break the news to me yet?” she asked, her tone simperingly sweet.

“What? No?”

Hazel shook her slightly, her voice growing more and more high-pitched. “Because that is a fuck-me-daddy alpha coming towards us and you failed to tell me?”

The strangest sensation of jealousy spiked at Hazel’s description of Isaac but Juno quashed it immediately. “I-I don’t see him that way.”

Hazel stared heavenward, eyelids fluttering. “Don’t see him that way. Lord have mercy on this child.”

Isaac had almost reached them when Hazel stepped forward purposefully.

“Hello, Isaac is it?” she asked brusquely, with zero trace of the flirtatious omega Juno was familiar with. “I’m Hazel. This girl is my best fucking friend. Where are you planning on taking Juno tonight?”

To his credit, Isaac seemed to take the sudden appearance of a strange indignant omega with ease. “Hello Hazel. I’m glad Juno has such a good friend to support her. I’ve made reservations at Babylon.”

Hazel’s demeanour changed markedly upon hearing the name of one of the most high-end, intimate restaurants in the city. “Babylon, huh?” She elbowed Juno, mumbling out the corner of her mouth. “Not a date my ass.”

Juno had to claw herself out of whatever grave Hazel had dug for her. “I know it’s not a date,” she assured Isaac hurriedly. “I mean, it is but—”

“A platonic one.” Isaac briskly finished for her.

“Yes! More akin to a, to a—”

“A business meeting.”

This was going very well. “Yes. Perfect. A business meeting.” Juno realised she’d forgotten something very important. “Hi Isaac. Should have said that first. It’s good to see you again.”

His expression softened considerably. “Yes, you too, Juno. You look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Juno blushed. “I love the green on you.”

Hazel’s gaze darted between them like a Wimbledon match. “Ohh, I see. You’re both in denial,” she declared conclusively, folding her arms and leaning against the wall. “That’s hot. Wonder who’s going to crack first. I wish I could bet on this with someone but somehow I don’t think Doorman Dan over there will be a taker.”

Both Juno and Isaac stared at her like she had just announced she had a family of mice living in her hair.

“Is she usually…?”

“No, but the evidence is building.”

“Ahh.”

Hazel pinched the bridge of her nose and Juno only just caught her muttering something about idiots.

Juno felt the need to clarify something further with Isaac. “I’m not, by the way. In denial.”

“Oh, I know. Me neither.”

“I mean, we barely reacted to each other’s scents.”

“It’s true, we did not,” Isaac acquiesced.

“You’re with Miles.”

“I am with Miles.”

“Probably don’t have the right parts for you anyway,” Juno added with a nervous giggle.

“Well…no that’s not the issue.”

“What?”

“Hmm? We should…”

“Yes. Reservations. Let’s go.” Juno looped her arm around Isaac’s proffered elbow, noting that his scent, while obviously not attractive, was nevertheless extremely decadent. She turned to say goodbye to Hazel, who was looking at them like she expected them to start stripping off right there in the lobby.

“Good night you two.” Hazel gave them a dainty wave with her fingers. “Have her back by midnight. Or don’t.” She shrugged, flouncing off before either of them could reply.

Isaac cleared his throat. “Shall we?”

Juno dipped her head and allowed Isaac to lead her off into the night.