Page 86 of Sweet Omega
“Fuck your stupid law.” Ludiin shot him a glare and scanned the walkway, then spotted a leisure room up ahead, glowing in low blue light. A bunch of alphas were headed inside.
Just what he needed.
Without another word, he stalked toward it, his heart pounding.
The beta at the entrance gave Ludiin a once-over and grinned like he liked what he saw. “Welcome,” he said, pressing a button.
The door slid open with a soft hiss, warm air curling out to meet him.
Ludiin stepped inside, his pulse pounding against his skull.
Soft lighting spilled over the tables, cloaking them in a warm golden glow. Everything about the space was intimate and cozy, making Ludiin feel like he’d stepped into a forbidden world.
Where are the alphas?He thought, a flicker of disappointment curling in his gut. He’d expected them to be lined up and waiting for him.
He turned, ready to leave, but there he was. Tarymn.
Ludiin froze.
His heart slammed against his ribs. The sight of the alpha hit him like a punch to the gut. Tarymn looked larger than life, unsettlingly handsome in a dangerous way.
A hidden panel at the far side of the room slid open.
Two alphas stumbled out, their feet unsteady, clearly drunk. Ludiin didn’t wait. He bolted toward the door.
He didn’t know what he was doing, only that he couldn’t stay anywhere near Tarymn. His chest felt open, raw. Every emotion he’d fought so hard to bury clawing its way violently to the surface. If he didn’t run now, he’d shatter.
The moment he stepped past the threshold, a wall of noise slammed into him. A thick, pulsing bass, layered with the chaotic mix of voices and laughter. He winced, instinctively stepping back, his ears ringing from the sudden assault. But then, he glanced over his shoulder and caught Tarymn watching him, as if waiting to see if he’d back down, loose his nerve.
His stomach twisted, but he didn’t turn back. He pushed forward, deeper into the dimly lit room.
Pulsing lights sliced through the darkness, flashing to the beat of the music, revealing glimpses of writhing bodies moving on the dance floor. Shouts of excitement and laughter echoed through the space, feeding the electric energy in the air.
Ludiin’s gaze swept the room until it landed on the bar tucked into the far corner, bathed in soft amber light. Behind it was a metal shelve full of spirits.
Perfect.
Exactly what he needed. Something to burn away the shame still clinging to him.
“Give me the strongest spirit you’ve got,” he said to the beta behind the counter, who gave him a skeptical once-over. “Now, please.” Ludiin slammed his credit chip on the counter.
“Uh… okay,” the beta muttered, grabbing a golden cylinder from beneath the counter. He poured the liquid into a narrow glass, its surface shimmering like molten silver under the lights. “This one’s strong. Take your time to…”
Ludiin didn’t even let him finish. He grabbed the glass, and threw it back in one gulp. It scorched down his throat like liquid fire.
“Hey…hey!” the beta called. “Don’t chug that! Its concentrated!”
Too late.
Ludiin slammed the glass down on the counter with a bang. “Another.”
The beta blinked, then mumbled, “Your funeral,” and poured him a second. There was a wary look in his eyes.
Ludiin barely noticed. He was already glancing over his shoulder.
Tarymn was still there. Still watching.
The alpha hadn’t moved from the entrance, his broad frame partially swallowed by the dim lighting. But those golden eyes, those damn eyes, shone bright in the darkness as they remained locked on him, sharp and unreadable.
