Page 100 of Alpha Awakened

Outside Tulsa, Oklahoma

The party was held at Vaughn’s mansion on the outskirts of Tulsa. The home was sleek and modern, every inch of it stark white with curved, futuristic lines. To Hazard, the mansion appeared wildly incongruous to the rugged natural beauty of the forest surrounding it. Lights blazed from all the windows, sparkling in the still waters of the small reflecting pool centered in the front drive.

Ice pulled up to the valet station in the long black Cadillac that the requisitions department had obtained to further their ruse. A valet in a white jacket came over to open Ice’s door. Ice thanked him, then went around to the passenger side to assist Hazard exiting the vehicle. After handing Ice a claim ticket, the valet drove the car away to be parked.

Hazard walked up to the mansion at Ice’s side, the alpha’s hand lightly resting at the small of his back. Ice passed their counterfeit invitation over to the doorman and they were allowed to enter.

Inside, they were shown to the ballroom. It was as big as Hazard expected, with more white on the marble floors andpatterned wall paper. The chandeliers were Avant Garde art pieces but to Hazard they looked like tortured hunks of junk.

Guests milled around, talking, laughing, all dressed in their finest expensive tuxedos and long, beaded evening gowns. Some sat conversing at round top dining tables, while others spun around on the dance floor. This crowd of shifters didn’t wear blockers so the room was clouded with scents. Although some wore perfumes or cologne to enhance their natural pheromones.

Hazard wrinkled his nose. After so much time in the military, he wasn’t used to being around this many unblocked shifter scents. He would need a few minutes to adjust. Realizing that Ice had probably never been in an environment like this, he quietly checked in on him. The multitude of scents and pheromones had to be bombarding his senses.

“Are you okay?”

A muscle flexed in the hard line of Ice’s jaw before he answered.

“I’ll be fine.”

Hazard took that to mean that the smells were indeed bothering him, but like a true solider, he was going to ignore it and push through. They moved deeper into the ballroom where a passing server offered them drinks. To keep up the image of a couple out enjoying a party, Ice took two flutes of champagne from the tray, offering one to Hazard.

“Thank you,” he said politely.

Hazard took a sip of the bubbly liquid. His eyes darted to look everywhere but at Ice. He had to keep reminding himself now wasn’t the time to put space between the two of them. As they walked, he was stiff even though he knew that he shouldn’t be. They needed to appear as relaxed as every other couple there. But he was still embarrassed over his heat and couldn’t loosen up. His howling for Ice echoed in his head on a repetitive loop, making his gut clench with mortification. Why couldn’t hehave been satisfied riding a dildo for three days? If he had, he wouldn’t be here now, feeling awkward as hell.

He didn’t realize how deep he’d fallen into his thoughts until Ice snapped his fingers in front of his face to get his attention.

Abruptly jerked out of his daze, Hazard said the first thing that popped into his head. “Next time say abracadabra when you snap at me and I’ll do a little trick.”

At his quip, Ice’s eyes widened slightly behind his mask. Hazard instantly realized his mistake when he noticed the two alphas standing next to Ice. They must have come over while he was zoned out. They both had frowns on their faces as they looked at Hazard. An omega in this group of shifters would never smart off at their alpha the way he just had. Hazard immediately put on a contrite face and tone.

“I’m sorry, alpha.”

A displeased growl rumbled in Ice’s chest. Ice cupped his jaw, thumb roaming up to stroke the skin right beneath the edge of his mask. Hazard didn’t have to fake the little gasp he let out at the soft touch.

“Watch your mouth, sweetheart,” Ice said with a sharp hint of warning in his voice.

Hazard lowered his lashes. “Yes, alpha.”

One of the alphas grunted with satisfaction.

“Love seeing an omega put in his place.”

Ice threw the alpha a smug look. “He acts up some times but only because he knows I enjoy correcting him.”

Hazard offered his partner a sweet smile and batted his eyelashes in his best imitation of an obedient, lovesick omega.

“Anything to please my alpha.”

“That’s more like it.” Ice politely smiled at the two alphas. “Excuse us.”

He led Hazard onto the dance floor. A slow song began to play, a raspy voice crooning vocals accompanied by a mellowsaxophone. Ice pulled Hazard into his arms. Hazard put his head on the alpha’s shoulder. Ice took one of Hazard’s hands in his own. He put the other low on his back, guiding him in the dance. To anyone watching them, they must look like any other couple who wanted to snuggle while they danced. But Ice took advantage of their closeness to whisper a question into Hazard’s ear.

“Do you want to get us taken out back and shot like a couple of rabid racoons?”

“No.”

“Then you need to loosen up before someone finds out we don’t belong here.”