Page 13 of The Beta's Bargain

The longer they stare at me, the more my cheeks heat, and the harder it is to keep still. My skin twitches, and I want nothing more than to step back and let the line of workers absorb me into their ranks.

There is something personal and predatory in the way they are watching me. Like I’ve already done something wrong. Which I guess I have. I stifle the urge to laugh again and fix my gaze on the wall behind them.

I’ve served glasses of wine in the most daunting of settings. These alphas are just men. They bleed like the rest of us. Breath in and out, Nyxie.

They arrange themselves around the room, two of them moving and watching us like we’re cattle. Simon and Elaine take up spots on an equal distance apart in the middle of the empty space in front of us. Perfect little management robots. A throat clears, and my gaze darts back to them, the alphas, who are now stopped in front of us like they’re about to give us a speech. The alpha with the blond hair is leaning against the wall, absolutely content with his lot in life. Not participating at all.

A frisson of anger ripples down my spine, and I suppress it quickly.

“Welcome to the Treyfield Empire’s first annual Omega Meet.”

My eyes widen, and I stare at the arrogant man in front of me as he speaks. Omega Meet?

“My name is Falcon Treyfield. You’ll recognise my name as my fathers created many of the department stores you now shop in. The Treyfield name has a hundred years of history behind it, and today, we’re adding one more.”

The olive-skinned alpha walks with polite aggression, gesturing with his hands. “My name is Silas Hastings. My family has been in hotels even longer than Treyfield’s been in shops. When we came up with the idea to have a retreat that caters to matchmaking omegas and packs, we got excited. People will be able to see what we really care about. What we are…” he waves his hand in a circle, “passionate about. We hope you will enjoy the energy and do us proud.”

“And I’m Grayson Waters.”

Murmurs explode. I hold my tongue, staring at the man against the wall.

“My family is in technology and now owns the largest research laboratory on the planet. We believe in giving back to the community. We believe in giving happy endings.”

I snort.

The three alphas snap their heads towards me like I’ve shot a flare into the room. Panic turns my blood fizzy. I hold my breath until they look away.

“There can be no mistakes.” Falcon says. “No errors. The next few weeks must be perfect. You must be perfect.” He saunters up and down the line. I see men and women alike suck in their stomachs and straighten up. He comes back this way and stops right in front of me. “I will allow no distractions.” He turns his head really slowly and meets my eyes.

There’s this magnetic pull towards him that tries to grab hold of me, but I push it aside and embrace the anger. This man encompasses everything I’ve learned about alphas working for them. Rude. Arrogant. Entitled.

I’m just a beta. I’m not a distraction. I’m nothing to this man. So I smile faintly, letting him see that I’m not cowed.

His eyes flash, and for a moment, I get this idea that I've just woken a sleeping titan.

“Every alpha wants an omega to join their pack. And every omega wants an alpha pack to call their own. So, this weekend has been opened to packs and omegas specifically selected by a team and invited to participate.”

He doesn’t mention betas at all, and I hear him loud and clear. Serve our drinks, bring our food, don’t talk, don’t touch, don’t look. Be there, and don’t be seen or heard.

I swipe my expression clear and stare at the door with an acute expression of boredom.

“This is a charity event.”

I bark out a laugh before I can stop myself.

The atmosphere turns dangerous before I even smother the sound. Grayson Waters pushes off the wall and stalks towards me. He looks like a shark. I can even see his gleaming white teeth.

“Something funny?” He raises a brow in challenge, and I’m just too tired to resist.

“No one in this building needs this kind of charity. So you may as well call it what it is.”

Simon hisses, but I don’t take my eyes from Grayson.

He smiles and holds up his hand, stopping my boss in his tracks. He leans in close so only I can hear him. “There are two people in this building who need charity.”

I stiffen. “If you feel a need to threaten someone, please, look me in the eye when you deliver it. I promise I’ll respect you more.” And then I panic because I need this job. Why did I say that? “Alpha Waters.” I lower my eyes and dip my chin, but the movement is sarcastic and the tone bitchy.

I’m dead. Actual stone cold dead. I can’t believe I just said that.