Page 1 of Blizzards and Brews

Chapter One

Lindsay

Nothing says love like small town traditions.

"It's a red string!" Cassandra's voice echoed in the room. The young omega was so excited she was practically shaking as her pack moved closer, lifting her up on one of her alpha's shoulders and dancing around the room. Our bar was the last stop in their bonding scavenger hunt.

"Get ready for the speeches," Adam joked as he brushed past me to restock the bar.

We'd gone through double our normal supply of beer tonight. Then again, it was a Friday night in Holiday Hollow during winter. You'd think spring would be bonding season, but here, the omegas went crazy for the 'magic of the holiday season.'

Apparently, that extended toward all of the holidays. Our little town was known for celebrating each and every one, no matter how small and with that brought a never-ending sense of community. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

Even the tourists who visited our town got into the swing of things, some even making the trip specifically for our famed bonding scavenger hunt.

Most of my friends were omegas and I still couldn't wrap my head around the way they turned into puddles of goo for their alphas. My beta side was always so rational it was hard to make sense of it all, but I smiled and said all the right things as the freshly bonded pack came up to the bar.

"First round is on the house," Adam told them. "It's a Holiday Hollow tradition. Want us to whip you up a special shot to commemorate the moment?"

Adam was a smooth talker and one hell of a businessman. He'd started this because if they accepted a 'signature' shot tailored 'just for them' then they'd be drinking them all night. We had a whole list of shots to choose from, all different colors and names to fit the moment.

"Gross," Dustin muttered behind me as he swapped out the soiled bar towels for clean ones.

"Oh my god, you can do that?" Cassandra asked as she bounced up and down and clapped her hands. "Something red to match our final piece?"

She held up the string and the room erupted into cheers. Adam gave her a wink and pulled me over to our bartending manual that held all the drink recipes.

"Let's do something sweet and red. It fits them, don't you think?"

"Sure," I snorted, flipping to the right page and pointing one out. "This is perfect."

"I knew you'd deliver for them," he said, giving me a hip bump. "I'll leave you to it. I better warn the kitchen to prepare. It's going to be another long night."

"Tell him to have coffee going for me," I pleaded. It was only eight and my feet were already aching and I was exhausted. Thenagain, sleep hadn't been easy lately. My life outside of this bar was a hot fucking mess. I still couldn't believe what my ex had done.

I swallowed down my frustration at the entire situation and shoved it aside. Tonight, I had to focus on work so I didn't lose my mind.

Shove it away, Lindsay, you don't need him.

If that wasn't my life's motto I don't know what was.

The next few hours were a blur of constantly serving drinks and cleaning up spills as the crowd grew more and more inebriated. Ollie had kicked the music up a few notches and turned our bar into a nightclub of sorts. By the time the newly bonded group had dipped out I was ready to hide in a quiet room.

"Last call!"

I'd never heard more beautiful words and I gave the alpha standing on the bar, yelling out over the crowd, a grateful smile. Adam winked back and I swallowed down the usual heat that sent through me.

They're not yours, Lindsay.

The voice in my head could be a real bitch. Then again... so was reality.

"They're gone," Ollie breathed out as he draped himself over the bar.

"You'll live, brother," Dustin laughed, clapping him on the back as he passed by.

"Kitchen is whipping us up some food. Drink some water, Lindsay, You haven't taken a break all night."

Adam's order was met by a raised eyebrow. Sometimes he liked to peacock his status and order me around, but I was not his beta. He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms.

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