LUCAS

 

“You looking at me?”

“So what if I was?”

“I don’t like it when people look at me. Don’t disrespect me like I’m your Omega dog.”

“I can look at you however I feel like it!”

“Are you threatening me?”

“If you wanna call it that, then I am!”

It wasn’t any different from a normal night at Sawyer’s. Two Alphas going at each another just because of a misunderstanding. The space was big enough to house some of the biggest packs in Dirge but that didn’t stop them from fighting over it.

“You know the rules! Take it outside!”

Sawyer shouted over everybody. The two Alpha wolves about to go at one another obliged. Despite the savageness they had within them, they managed to keep it dormant long enough to step outside.

Nobody paid attention. They didn’t care. The scene at Sawyer’s was wild as Alphas everywhere carved-out a spot for themselves. Another night in Pandora, another night of indulgence.

“Lucas! Get to work!”

Sawyer’s was so crowded, I had to squeeze between everybody. I did as much as I could. I cleaned tables. I poured drinks. I washed glasses. That didn’t stop my boss from yelling at me.

I told myself that the night would end eventually. The Alphas would scurry out and the toll of liquor and debauchery would be tough for even them to handle.

“Just a few more hours,” I sighed to myself. “Just a few more hours and you’ll get through this.”

I was behind the bar counter, rinsing a fresh set of mugs off. I kept my head down to avoid making any eye-contact with the Alphas. I didn’t want to give them any incentive because I was an Omega.

“Hey.”

I looked up and saw a man standing at the bar counter. I immediately realized the mistake I’d made.

A man with long, dark hair and striking green eyes. He wore a vest, indicating he was with one of the motorcycle clubs in this part of town. I didn’t pay much attention to them because they were all just as violent as the next.

He stared at me, the muscles of his arms bulging as he leaned across the counter.

“What’s your name?” he said.

“…Lucas.”

“Lucas,” he repeated my name with an obvious lasciviousness in his eyes.

I put my head down and ignored him as I did my work. But he persisted.

“I haven’t seen you around here before,” he said. “I don’t see many Omegas working at Sawyer’s.”

“Yeah, well, I guess he made an exception for me.”

“I’m glad he did. I think he hired you just for me.”

I didn’t respond. I kept washing the mugs while I prayed that he would go away.

“Please…” I whispered to myself.

“What’s wrong, Omega? Shy? That’s all right. They’re all shy at first. But once I get them to talk, they learn their place.”

I couldn’t believe I was waiting for Sawyer to come looking for me so he could yell at me. I would have done anything to avoid having to deal with the Alpha standing in front of me.

“Why don’t you take a break?” he said.

“I can’t right now. I’m gonna be busy all night. Maybe you should find someone else.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve already made my decision. You and I are doing something… tonight.”

There was no way out for me. But somehow, a familiar voice filled my ears as if answering my prayers.

“I think he made it quite clear to you he’s not interested.”

I turned my head up and saw him standing there. Him. Donovan. The jaguar I had just spent a night with.

He stuck out like a sore thumb in his expensive suit. But I would have recognized him from his smell, his cologne somehow overpowering his jaguar scent.

Donovan confronted the Alpha, who was now standing up straight and staring back at the jaguar who was so defiant with him.

“Who do you think you are, Mr. Fancysuit?”

“I’m just an ordinary man,” Donovan responded. “A man with better hearing than you. The Omega said he’s not interested. I suggest you move on.”

“I move on? Or else what? What do you plan on doing?”

Donovan glared right back at the man. Stone-faced with narrowing eyes, Donovan wasn’t about to back down.

“I’m an Alpha,” he said. “And I’ve had a long day in Pandora. You don’t want to deal with me. Not right now.”

The other man clenched his jaw. I could see him holding back as he seethed. Somehow, he regained his composure.

“I won’t forget this,” he said as he pointed a finger at Donovan.

“I hope you won’t,” Donovan replied.

The man walked away. Instead of one Alpha talking to me, I had another one. At least Donovan was somewhat more agreeable.

I put my head down and went back to work washing glasses.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, not looking at him.

“You said you worked at Sawyer’s. I thought I would stop by and pay you a visit.”

“Really? You just happened to be wandering around Pandora and you decided to stop by?”

“I’ve had a very busy day. I’ve been to a lot of different places.”

“And you’re still here.”

“I’m still here.”

I looked up at him. He was smirking. He had a certain charm to him. I guess if you were as rich as he was, it affected your demeanor. I wasn’t in the mood to smile back but I wasn’t about to try and get rid of him. Not after he saved me from the encounter I just had.

“What are you really doing here?” I asked.

“As I said, I came here to see you.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Because I enjoyed our time last night.”

“I’m glad you did.”

“And I know you did, too.”

I felt my face beginning to blush. How fucking embarrassing. I’d been approached by more Alphas than I could count. Donovan had a way about him that was different from all of the rest though.

He smirked, knowing that he was right. I shook my head.

“It was our arrangement,” I said as I regained my composure.

“Then I suppose you would be interested in making another arrangement with me.”

I gritted my teeth. It was obvious what he was getting at. I had to give him credit for being so blunt about it. That’s all the credit I was gonna give him.

“I’m not a prostitute,” I said. “You can’t just pay me to bend over and have your way with me.”

“Of course not. I’m paying you for so much more.”

“Really? And what are you paying for exactly?”

“Your company.”

“I don’t see the difference.”

“There is a difference. And if you’re willing, I’ll show it to you.”

He made a compelling argument. I had a good time. The money wasn’t bad either. Not to mention not having to wake up in Pandora.

Despite all that, I still shook my head.

“I can’t,” I said.

“And why not?”

“I heard about you. You had a run-in with the Black Stone earlier today.”

“The Black Stone?” he said, raising an eyebrow at me.

“The motorcycle club. A bunch of hyenas who take pleasure in doing whatever they want.”

“That’s interesting you would hear about that.”

“Word travels fast around Pandora. And I don’t know much about the clubs in this town, but I know that you don’t wanna mess with hyenas. Seth is known to be volatile.”

“Seth?”

“The leader of the club. The bald one.”

“Seth… Right… Well, I can assure you, I’ve taken care of matters.”

“What did you do, throw a bunch of money at him?”

He didn’t respond immediately. He just raised an eyebrow at me with that same damn smirk on his lips. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that’s what he did.

“I’m not leaving here tonight without you,” he said.

He was so persistent.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” he said.

The only thing stopping me was my pride.

But I convinced myself. If I were gonna bend over for an Alpha, at least it was the same one.

“Five pieces of gold,” I said. “You want to see me again, I raised my prices.”

“Done.”

“But I want it paid in silver.”

“Silver?”

“Walking around Pandora with gold is a good way to get yourself in trouble. People can smell it on you.”

“They sure can…”

He looked around the bar. There was a noticeable amount of people who’d taken notice of Donovan. None of them had taken a chance to act. Not yet, anyway.

“Very well,” Donovan sighed as he looked back at me. “Fifty pieces of silver. Are you sure you’ll be able to carry all of it?”

“Don’t worry. I have a place to hide it. Just make sure you have it.”

I finished rinsing off the mugs. I didn’t have any work at the moment. Thankfully, Sawyer was busy with some customers, so he didn’t have a chance to reprimand me for doing nothing. I took a moment to lean forward and settle my arrangement with Donovan.

“Fifty silvers,” he said. “Do we have a deal?”

“Deal.”

“Good.”

He looked so satisfied with himself. I suppose that was appropriate, considering he’d convinced me to sleep with him again.

He straightened up and did the same to his tie. At this point, he’d gotten the attention of most of the room. Donovan looked around at all of the people observing him and smiled.

“It looks like you’re pretty popular,” I said.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve had a room full of people staring at me. I imagine a jaguar can be quite a curiosity.”

“I suggest you wait for me outside. I don’t get off for a few hours.”

“You’ll be getting off in a few hours,” he said. “I can promise you that.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to fight a smile from coming to my face. I couldn’t deny that being with an Alpha, especially one as well-built as him, was an enjoyable experience. That still didn’t stop me from trying to hide my blushing cheeks.

“I’ll be waiting,” he said. “My car will be out front.”

He walked out of the bar with the swagger of a man who was as affluent as he was. Nobody bothered making a move and he left without anybody else making a scene.

“Hey!”

My boss’s voice interrupted the fantasies I was having while I watched Donovan leave. I turned to my boss and saw him standing there with his hands on his hips, grumpy as he always was.

“Go clean those tables,” he said. “They’re spilling all over the place.”

I gave him a nod and got back to work.

Just a few more hours left…