Page 32 of Sweet Omega
His gaze snagged on Tarymn, who sat on one of the couches looking annoyingly put together and too good-looking in all black. Ludiin’s heart gave a thump, and he quickly looked away, pretending to be fascinated by the floor instead.
“Wow, little brother, you look amazing,” Hym said, pulling him into a hug. “Happy birthday.”
Ludiin stiffened at the sudden contact, his body unsure of what to do, but after a few seconds, he let himself sink into the embrace. When Hym pulled back, a smile tugged at Ludiin’slips despite his nerves. “You do realize today isn’t my birthday, right?”
“I know,” Hym replied easily. “But tonight, we’re pretending it is.” With a grin, he laced their fingers together and guided him toward the table decked out with food near the couches.
Where Tarymn was.
Ludiin focused hard on the spread, anything to keep from looking at the alpha. But he was so aware of Tarymn, it was infuriating. Every shift of the alpha’s body pulled his gaze. Even the faint lift of the glass to his lips was enough to send the hairs on Ludiin’s arms prickling upright.
He was impossible to ignore.
Dammit.
“Is this him?” a new voice asked interrupting his thoughts. Ludiin looked up to see an alpha standing beside Hym. Unlike the others, this one wore a plain shirt and trousers, as if he didn’t care about his image.
“Roc, Ludiin. Ludiin, Roc,” Hym said, still surveying the food. “He’s a genius like you.”
“Damn, that has to be the driest introduction I’ve ever heard,” Roc said with a low chuckle. “I have other attributes, you know.”
“Like what?” Hym asked without looking up.
Roc tilted his head, as if he might actually come up with an answer, but then he only laughed. “Fine,” he said, holding out his hand. “Guess I’ll settle for genius.”
Ludiin’s stomach fluttered, but he forced himself to accept the handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Roc said warmly.
That wasn’t so bad, Ludiin thought as he let go of the alpha’s hand. He turned toward the table, hoping for a breather, but Luci was suddenly there, snatching up his hand.
“Clint just arrived,” Luci said, eyes sparkling. “Come, I’ll introduce you.”
Please, don’t, Ludiin wanted to beg. But instead, he let himself be dragged forward, reasoning that the faster he endured this, the sooner it would be over.
“Hey, Clint,” Luci greeted with his usual excitement. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” Clint said with an easy smile. Then his eyes shifted to Ludiin. They were dark, sweeping over him with quiet interest. Ludiin’s breath caught in his throat.
“You didn’t tell me your brother was as gorgeous as you.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise,” Luci said, and the two of them laughed easily, as though Ludiin weren’t even standing there. Ludiin forced a polite smile, trying to look engaged.
“Luci told me you’re in school,” Clint said, finally focusing on him.
“Yes,” Ludiin answered quickly, almost tripping over his words. “I study mechanics.”
“Wow. And Luci, you’re only studying food technology,” Clint teased with a laugh. Luci swatted his arm playfully.
“I don’t have his brains,” Luci said with a grin. “And for that, I’m stealing him away.” He looped his arm through Ludiin’s and dragged him off, while Clint only chuckled and gave a careless wave.
“You’re doing great,” Luci whispered. “I think Clint likes you.”
Ludiin dared a glance over his shoulder. Clint was still watching, but Ludiin couldn’t shake the feeling that his gaze lingered more on Luci than on him. He swallowed the thought and kept quiet as Luci paraded him around the room, introducing him to one alpha after another. His jaw ached from plastering on polite smiles, his stomach churned with nerves, and he felt like vomiting every time he forced himself not to stutter.
His eyes kept drifting to the glass doors that opened into the garden. If only he could vanish into the night.
“Would you like a drink?” the alpha beside him asked, drawing his attention back. Ludiin blinked, searching for his name, but he’d already met at least ten alphas, and they were all starting to blur together.
