Page 6 of Such a Shy Omega

“I do. He changed to some faster-paced techno.”

“That’s to rev up the crowd. Enhance their energy. So when the rhythm speeds up, how should we respond?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I reached for the mixing desk. We had to match the energy of the club and the DJ. I had an idea. Maybe they would hate it. Maybe they would love it. One way to find out. Reading the crowd was one of the main components of being in the booth.

Instead of the purples and teals we usually had during the more passionate songs, I turned up the deep scarlet and tangerine lights. Widened the rays. Turned up the rotation of the lights to match the speed of the music.

“Oh, let’s see what you’ve got.” Grant clapped his hands and stood up, watching how the crowd responded. I did the same and bit down on my bottom lip to keep myself from smiling. No need to get smug. Not yet, anyway.

The lights illuminated the bar area and the rays glinted off the glasses and golden liquor.

“What do you think?”

“I think you’ve got a good sense for this. I can teach you everything you need to know about the control board and the mixing deck and which buttons are which, but I can’t teach reading the crowd. You’re really something.”

“Thank you.”

“In fact, I think I’ll go grab a drink. Want anything?”

“Oh.” I turned to him. “I don’t drink alcohol. Or I have never.”

“Something virgin, then? Cranberry juice?”

I chuckled. “Is this a test? There are no drinks allowed in the booth or while working at all. It’s a rule.”

He pointed at me. “See? I knew you were right for the job. I’ll be back in a minute.”

Grant left me to the booth and I tried not to let the pressure of that get to me.

I sat back down and listened to the music playing in the club. We had a local DJ tonight and he was really talented. I’d never been part of something like this. The list of things I’d yet to experience was longer than my shift tonight.

As long as my past didn’t catch up with me, I had a chance to experience and discover all those things and more.

Chapter Six

Erik

“Alpha Jonas, your station has opened.”

One of the males who had been sitting with us stood up, picking up a bag from the floor next to him. “On my way.”

I watched with interest to see where he would go. Jonas was another new face for me, not an owner but a member who, from the conversation they were all having, was here several nights a week. We’d been joined by a couple of other omegas as well, but they seemed content to sit with their alphas and take part in the conversation for now.

“St. Andrew’s cross,” Liam said. “And he’s a master with the cat o’ nine tails.”

“And just about anything impact.” Talon walked up just then. The fire master was familiar to me. He’d been an early investor in the club. “He’s worth observing if you are interested.”

“I am, thanks.” And it didn’t hurt that I could stay here on the comfortable sofa to do that, since the cross was only a dozen or so feet away. “Nice to see you, Talon.”

“You, too. I thought you might have lost interest in visiting us.” He sat down on one of the upholstered chairs opposite me. “Or maybe found your mate who was keeping you occupied.”

“If only.” I lifted my glass and took a sip, the smooth whiskey warm on my palate. “I am starting to think there isn’t a mate in the cards for me.”

“Don’t give up hope.” Talon’s gaze followed Jonas’ approach to the St. Andrew’s cross. “See the omega waiting for him?”

“Yes.”

“He is his mate. Just neither of them knows it yet.”

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