Page 3 of Redeeming His Omega Mate

“My company has arrived.”

I followed his gaze to a man entering the bar. Something about him felt off. There was something unsettling in his presence. Though, I couldn’t put my finger on it.

Damian withdrew his hand from mine, his smile still in place. He lingered for a few moments, his gaze holding mine, before he finally picked up his drink and made his way to one of the tables where the man he was supposed to meet was already settled, waiting for him.

Over the next few minutes, the man spoke in a low, hushed tone. I couldn’t eavesdrop even if I wanted to, though I found myself trying to catch fragments of their conversation. At first, Damian wasn’t fully focused on what the man was saying as he kept stealing glances in my direction. The way I could tell he was stealing glances was because I was doing the exact same thing. There was something about him that Icouldn’t put my finger on, but I’d never felt this drawn to anyone, especially not someone I’d just met.

I tried to ignore the way my skin tingled under his gaze. The curiosity and intensity in his dark eyes made me feel very self-conscious and intrigued. Despite my best efforts to focus on the tasks in front of me, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. It wasn’t long before I realized he had stopped looking my way, his full attention now on the man. From behind the counter, I could see the shift in their expressions. The conversation had turned serious and tense. The man’s face was contorted with anger and bitterness. Damian looked angry, too, but there was something deeper there. Disappointment.

Their conversation went on for what felt like an eternity. When it was finally over, the man was the first to leave. Damian remained seated, his face buried in his drink, lost in thought. I found myself itching to go over to him and…what? Comfort him? I wasn’t even sure. But the man sitting there now looked like a shadow of the one who had walked in earlier. After a long moment, Damian drained the last of his drink, stood up, and walked out of the bar, leaving the emptiness of his presence behind.

I felt a pang of disappointment. I had convinced myself that we’d shared some kind of instant connection, but maybe I was wrong. I had to remind myself that he was a customer I had spoken to for all of five minutes. That should be it. Nothing more. Pushing him to the back of my thoughts, I continued my work for the rest of the night, eventually closing the bar. By the time I finished, it was very late, and I was certain the bonfire would have ended. I hated to disappoint Gina, but I hoped she would understand when I explained the circumstances that kept me from showing up.

As I walked down the dimly lit alley that led home, I had this prickly sensation settle over me—like I was being followed. Occasionally, I would glance over my shoulders, half expecting to see someone there, but every time, it was just the empty path behind me. The sensation didn’t fade. It grew stronger, twisting into a gut-wrenching unease that I couldn’t ignore any longer. I’d always trusted my instincts, and this time, they were screaming at me. I quickened mysteps, my heart pounding against my chest, until I spotted a shadow lurking in the dark—a confirmation that I wasn’t alone.

I was about to run when I was halted by a man in a black hoodie blocking the path in front of me. My first instinct was to turn and run the other way, but as I did, I found another hooded figure casually leaning against the alley wall.

I let out a sigh, calculating the possibility of taking down one of the men and making a break for it. But before I could even make a move, a voice cut through the silence, sending a chill down my spine.

“Tala Vale,” the voice called as a figure stepped out of the shadows. “You’re a hard woman to find.”

Chapter 2

Tala

The last thing I wanted tonight was more drama. After a long shift at the bar, I was exhausted and wanted to head home, put my feet up, and call it a night. But as I watched the three men edge closer, their eyes glinting with mischief, I knew my quiet evening had just slipped out of reach.

As they moved closer to me, I backed against the cold wall of the alley. The other two men paused, and the one that had spoken continued toward me, a filthy smirk across his scarred face. When my back hit the wall, I swallowed hard. My throat was dry despite the lump that had formed. I knew exactly who they were. After all, I had walked right into their loan shark stall, desperate for a loan. I had honestly thought I could pay back within the given time, but I hadn’t anticipated how difficult things would get. I’d given Gina all my savings when her father fell ill. Then, I had to take out a loan to cover rent and other expenses while I worked to make it all back. But with Mr. Titan always finding reasons to deduct my wages, and with the less-to-nothing tips I received at the bar, paying back the loan has proved to be a tough feat. Now Garrick and his goons were after me.

“Garrick…” I managed to speak, averting my gaze from his wandering eyes, which were making my skin crawl. “I just need some more time—two more weeks, I swear. I’ll have your money and even some extra by then. You have my word.”

“I don’t care about your word,” he sneered, stepping closer. “If you can’t pay me my money right now, I can think of other ways you can settle your debt for the time being.” His eyes dropped lower, and I could feel the weight of his unwanted attention on the neckline of my shirt. A sick feeling twisted in my stomach as I understood exactly what he meant.

“Garrick, I—”

“Shhh,” he cut me off, placing his finger against my lips. I watched as he licked his lower lip and allowed his gaze to sweep across my bosom before moving to my face. “Why don’t you come with us? Or would you rather we do it right here?”

I froze, absolutely disgusted. But knowing the reputation of the infamous Garrick, I had to hold my reservations. “Garrick, please—”

Once again, he cut me off. But this time, he leaned forward in an attempt to kiss me. Dear goodness! He reeked of cigarettes, sweat, and alcohol combined, a stench that made me retch. I recoiled instinctively, but his lips brushed against my cheeks. Garrick grabbed my jaw, forcing me back towards him as he tried again. With all the force I could muster, I shoved him away, not realizing that my claws were out, and I had scratched him in the process.

“You’ve got some audacity, you little bitch!” He lunged at me, but I reacted quickly, raising my hand, ready to slash with my claws and run. But before I could, he caught my hand mid-air, his grip like iron.

“What do you think you're trying to do, little wolf?” Garrick sneered, pressing me against the wall. He leaned in, his lips just inches from mine, when a voice, cold and seething with anger, cut through the air.

“Get away from her!” A voice rang out, familiar and commanding.

My breath caught, and my body went rigid, as if something deep inside me recognized it before my mind could catch up. Then, warmth spread through me, strange and completely out of place, given the danger I was in. But hearing his voice made me feel safe and protected—like nothing could touch me as long as he was here.

I couldn’t make out his face in the shadows, but I knew it was him. Damian.

Garrick pulled back in anger, his gaze shifting to Damian, irritation apparent on his face. “And you are…?”

One of Garrick’s goons leaned in and whispered in his ear. “That’s Damian Stone. The Alpha heir. He just returned to town from his Alpha heir training.”

My stomach dropped. Alpha heir? My gaze flickered to the stranger who had made my body react in ways I still didn’t understand. Of all the people to feel this pull toward, it had to be him? It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. The mate bond, if that’s even what this was, shouldn’t tie an Omega to an Alpha heir. That just didn’t happen.

Garrick’s expression faltered for a brief moment. Then, he started towards Damian with confident steps. “You’re on the wrong side of town, Prince Charming. I suggest you go back to that mansion of yours and leave us to handle our business.” He halted in front of Damian, his voice dropping to a malicious whisper. “Plus, take a look around you, pretty boy. It’s three against one. You really think you can—”

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