Page 70 of Big Knot Energy (Shadowverse)

It was early, but there were a few groups at some of the tables, others sitting on the stools at the bar. Aryn was tending bar tonight and was one of my favorites. She was so pretty and funny and was a freaking alpha. Afemalealpha. She and Amir tended to get quite a few stares due to their rarity.

Aryn was not only super sweet and funny, but also as tall as Amir and just as protective as the rest of my pack. We had formed a quickfriendship and I found myself hoping she would find a pack of her own soon. I wanted her to be as happy as me. Hell, I was a big ol’ bubble of joy these days and wanted the entire world to experience the rainbows and unicorns I swore I felt every day.

“Your sexy ass omega coming in tonight?” Aryn asked as I approached and turned my cheek for her to press a kiss.

I’d grown so much more comfortable with physical affection, so much so that I even looked forward to the gentle touches from Aryn and the other servers as they came or left. Hugs, brushes along my shoulders, pecks to the cheeks.

They were all careful to avoid leaving their scent on me, though. Being as all the servers were betas like me, I wasn’t sure why them scent marking me would have been an issue, but I could understand why the alpha bouncers avoided transferring their signature to me, even my clothing.

Not Aryn. After kissing my cheek, she ran her chin over the top of my head, then lifted her phone and stared at the screen, waiting for the text we both knew was coming.

Just like the last few times I’d worked and Aryn touched me, all three alphas sent texts of various threats. Although both of us knew they were half-hearted. Aryn didn’t want me romantically. I didn’t want her. And my men would never hurt a woman, even a fellow alpha.

“Of course. Ax wants to show off yet another new routine,” I said with a smile and a roll of my eyes.

“Yeah right. That omega’s eyes follow you around the room. The only time they leave you is when your alpha is on stage, then…” She snapped her fingers. “Right back on his pretty little beta.”

It might have been my imagination, but her last few words almost sounded sad. And I was right back to hoping she would find a pack, someone who would see how amazing she was and appreciate such a beautiful and strong woman.

My cheeks heated and I shrugged. “We’re in love or whatever.”

“No whatever to that one. I swear all five of you have been walking around with hearts in your eyes for weeks.”

She shooed me from behind the bar and turned to a couple who’d walked up to the bar.

For the time, there were only two servers on the floor, but two others would arrive in an hour or so, right in time for the crowd that would pile in for their weekend plans and to catch Ax and the other strippers.

We’re not strippers. It’s a male dance review. I could hear Ax’s voice in my head as I approached a table to check on them and smiled.

“You guys doing okay?” I asked.

Three sets of eyes lifted to me, scowls etched into their faces, faces that might have been handsome if they were to relax the muscles keeping their brows knitted together so tightly.

The man nearest me raised a brow when his attention zeroed in on my marks. “Your alphas haven’t taught you how to approach a designation higher than yours?”

Old Issa tried to push to the forefront. My first instinct was to lower my eyes and apologize. They were right. They were alphas, top of the food chain. I was nothing but a beta.

ButnewIssa?

“You’re not higher than me. And if you want to actually stay in the club owned bymypack, you’ll show me more respect. So, let’s try this again – you guys doing okay, or can I get you something else?”

One of the men smiled softly and nodded, respect shining in his pretty brown eyes. The first asshole made a scoffing sound in the back of his throat but asked for an old-fashioned – how apropos – while the others requested a bucket of beers.

“You got it,” I said with an overly friendly smile.

I let it drop the moment I turned away from them and rolled my eyes.

But then…a genuine smile tugged at my lips. I had just stood up to three alphas. I hadn’t backed down, hadn’t let them treat me like trash.

I couldn’t wait for Amir to get here so I could tell him. The first free moment I had, I planned to send a group text to my alphas to let them know I was officially a badass. I’d have to explain that later, butfor now, that was exactly how I felt, like I could stand up to anyone without backing down.

Shoulders squared, I gave Aryn the order, the smile still on my face, and turned toward the door, just waiting for it to swing open and my omega to appear. I missed him. Only a few hours apart, and I missed him.

The tables continued to fill, the dance floor grew more and more crowded, and the music was turned up enough to create the right atmosphere. The lights were dim, but not so dark that I couldn’t make my way around the room without tripping over my feet.

I had waited on the table of three alphas a couple more times, but that asshole hadn’t made any more comments. He also wouldn’t make eye contact with me, either. That was fine with me. He didn’t like me, and I didn’t like him.

I’d dressed to the nines, but I’d made sure to wear more comfortable shoes this time. The heels looked great and made me feel fierce, but damn…my feet throbbed and ached by the end of the night.

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