Page 55 of The Beta: Part One

Chapter 22

Talia

The auction is in full swing when we get there, fashionably late rather than embarrassingly late. There is a hush when we walk through the door as Devon leads us in. I have my hand folded over Jasper's arm and Kaleb is behind us with Trent and Nathan bringing up the rear.

There was another argument about the order we'd come in; Jasper wanted him and me to go in first because that would bring more interest to the seats up for bid at our game but everyone else, including me, said that there was no way we were letting Jasper walk in there without someone else walking in first.

I seek out my father in the crowd but find my oldest brother who takes in the pack I'm surrounded by and he raises his glass to me. I make a face at him and he laughs and points in the direction of my parents. I don't talk about my family publicly, and I don't talk about them with the pack I'm currently staying with. I don't want my family to get any backlash from anything that I might do or cause, there's already enough of that since I turned out to be a beta.

I find my parents at a table, no doubt asking after some priceless thing my mother definitely doesn't need. My mother is the most beautiful woman in the room on any given day, and this day she's hoarding all the appreciative stares and glances in her sparkling silver dress.

My father, Marcus, catches my eye and gives me the smile that's all for me. I'm an unabashed daddy's girl with all of my dads, but especially with Marcus. I've been his pet for as long as I can remember. I snarl my nose at him, though, he's letting his beard grow out and I'm trying so hard to like it, but I just don't.

He laughs and tugs on my mother's elbow so she can blow me a kiss. I return it and check in with my own escorts, the only one who noticed my visual communication with my family is Devon and he nods firmly at me. He's the only one of the pack who definitely knows who my family is. I doubt Jasper does, and who knows about the rest of them.

We take a lap around the room showing appropriate interest in the items up for auction, but we aren't there to buy, we're there as an item to bid on. We stop a few times so one of us can speak with whoever calls out for attention as we make our way to the raised table in the center of the room.

There are seven seats at the table other than mine and Jasper's, in front of each one is the list of rules and a pen so whoever wins the place can sign their agreement to abide by them. If they won't sign they forfeit their place. Jasper and I settle in our chairs which are situated across from each other; and Devon, Trent, and Nathan leave the platform to spread through the crowd to gather as much information as they can find.

It was agreed that Kaleb is to stay on the platform with us, stationed right behind Jasper's seat so he and I can alert each other to any threats from anywhere around us. Occasional servers come up to provide Jasper and I with drinks and light refreshments, and within the hour we've been circled by many of the alphas in the room.

When the bidding finally comes to an end the winners are announced, and everyone who doesn't have a seat at the table still gathers around our platform because this is likely going to be very entertaining. Trent came up to whisper into my ear that there are bets being placed on who loses their temper first, me or Kaleb. I told him to bet on Devon and he laughed.

Alpha Richard Crane is first to take his seat, then Alpha Maxim Harris, then Alpha Corso Zaphir. Alpha Jacob Tomas takes his seat and he's followed up by Alpha Rory Dennison, who pulls his omega up onto the platform with him to sit in his lap. I'm surprised to see Alpha Xander Flores pull up a seat; but I am in no way surprised to see Alpha Jonas Pratchett stalk up the stairs and sit right next to me after he exchanges a look with Alpha Crane that lasts a little too long.

Jonas Pratchett is on the council and his son, Seth, is an alpha of the worst pack I ever spent time with. Seth Pratchett is responsible for the most intolerable abuse I've ever experienced at the hands of someone claiming the title of alpha. I catch Kaleb's attention and flick my eyes to both the father at the table and the son in the crowd, and he takes out his phone. I'm sure he's alerting the others.

Alpha Pratchett senior is leaning into my space and trying to pin me with a look that he must think is intimidating, but I'm much too busy casually sipping my water to actively give him my attention. Somewhere in the room someone announces that our game is about to begin and the room gradually quiets.

That same voice reads through our rules, then says we may begin.

“Gentlemen,” Jasper says, “Alpha Zaphir bid the highest for his seat so it is only fair that he should get the first turn.”

All heads turn to Alpha Zaphir and he clears his throat before he speaks, “The council has assured me that the money spent on this very interesting item will be split between two charities that are very dear to my heart, so I hope nobody fucks this up,” a pointed look toward me, a look that I probably deserve in his opinion, “My first round will be a dare, for both Jasper and Talia. I will happily pay the cost for both of them to perform the dare if they agree.”

Jasper and I shrug at each other, and Jasper says, “It's your money.”

I can't decide if I want this first dare to be risque or risky, maybe a bit of both; but it turns out to be neither.

“I have brought a bottle of bourbon from my own barrels, it has been tested for tampering like the case I donated to the auction. I dare both Jasper and Talia to each have three fingers.” His honey-colored eyes hold mine darkly at the last few words and I silently beg my cheeks not to blush.

We both look at Kaleb. I'd throw back the alcohol without even looking at it, the Zaphir Distillery produces some of the best whiskey in existence; but I'm not sure what Jasper's alcohol limits are because I've never seen him touch it.

“Fine,” Kaleb agrees, “But one round only, no more after this.”

Alpha Zaphir gives us a big smile and a server comes with glasses and the unopened bottle. The drinks are poured and we salute him before we drink.

I, ever the lady, toss it back in a single gulp but Jasper takes a small sip first, pulling a face before painstakingly draining his glass and immediately reaching for his water. Apparently, there’s a reason I’ve never seen Jasper drink.

“How was it?” Alpha Zaphir asks, his face full of expectations, I answer him before Jasper can say something that will make his own opinion obvious.

“Excellent,” I decree, “If I was a rich girl I'd keep a bottle on my nightstand,” and throw him a saucy wink.

Jasper nods lamely but adds, “If you want to spend an exorbitant amount of money just to get me drunk then have at it.”

A few of the people at the table laugh, but I don't. I don't think Corso Zaphir is a threat, but most of the time when alcohol that I didn't ask for is pushed on me there's a reason behind it.

The next turn goes to Alpha Dennison, his pretty, blonde omega whispers something to him and he chuckles, “This is a question of truth for Talia. Danielle tells me that you have been with Jasper's pack longer than you've been with any other pack you've tried on and she has a theory as to why that might be. So, my question to you, Talia, is which pack member is the most … blessed?”

---