“Ours,” Thatcher repeats, and it’s almost like he’s trying the word out. When a tiny smile pokes through, I realize that he didn’t mean to say the word out loud, then he pats me on the back. “Do the rounds quickly. Kit will try to make me dance, and you know how much I hate dancing.”
I give a humorous scoff. “You like it more than you think you do.”
“Don’t insult me. Enjoying it and being good at it are two different things. Don’t let me embarrass myself just because I can’t say no to Kit when he gives those cute puppy eyes.”
His statement makes me squint, assessing the meaning behind his words. Have my friend and omega started dating again? Are they giving it another try?
“Are you guys—” I start to ask, but then a giant thump and some aggressive hollering comes from the next room over. Thegroan that escapes me is nearly a growl. The ruckus has already started, and I haven’t even made it out of the entryway. “Go enjoy yourself. I’ll be back soon.”
When I get to the room the sound is coming from, some of the guys are playing an intense game ofCall of Duty. Four players are entirely focused, the rest of them yelling instructions and watching with anticipation. I roll my eyes and walk out. I’m guessing something wild happened in the game and that’s what caused all the hollering. When I get back to the entryway to make my way to the kitchen, another member zooms past me, his arms full of papers and other things as he darts up the stairs. My instincts scream at me to follow.
I trail him to one of the bedrooms, where a group of members all gather around. Ethan is crying and drinking from a bottle with clear liquor as the guys pat him on the back and say niceties.
I look between them, at the metal bin roaring with flames, the heat causing an orange glow to emit over their skin. One of the guys throws something pink into it, and they all cheer, embers flaring in every direction.
Oh, so there’s a literal fire to put out tonight. Lucky me.
“What the fuck are you idiots doing?” I yell at them. They all turn to me, mouths open in surprise at getting caught.
“Ethan’s girlfriend broke up with him,” one of them says in explanation as the thing they just threw in nearly explodes. The fire licks over the edge, trying to bust out of its barely contained cage. Someone lets out a yelp as an ember lands on their hand and singes them. My instinct overrides my frustration as I go into the hallway to get one of the many fire extinguishers we keep on the premises and run back in, pulling the pin and dousing the whirling inferno that my meathead brothers started.
When the fire is out, everyone just stands there quietly,blinking in every direction but at me. I’m not sure if they feel guilty for starting a literal fire or if they feel shame that their leader had to fix it for them.
“Sam—” One of them speaks, but I put a finger up, trying to tame the anger that my beast feels inside. My scent is as furious as those flames, mixing with the smothered smoke in the air.
I speak slowly, emphasizing each word. “I do not want any of you to make another questionable decision tonight. Mypackis in this house tonight, and they could have beenhurt.” I think about them now, downstairs and completely unaware. My mind even wanders to Opal, and how I would have buried my own brothers if a single hair on her curly red head had been touched by this stupidity.
My dominance accidentally spills out alongside my wrath, and one of the members lets out a quiet whine.
“I’m sorry, Alpha.”
“It won’t happen again.”
“We were just?—”
“Enough,” I bark, not wanting to hear it. “Just… please. I’d like to enjoy myself, for justonenight. I’d like to not worry that this place willliterally.Burn.Down.”
They all nod in agreement, still whispering their apologies as I pass the extinguisher to one of them and instruct them to put it back. I make my way back downstairs, my skin still boiling with rage. When I find Atlas and Kendall in the kitchen, I make my way to them.
“I’m putting away the president hat tonight,” I inform them, almost professionally. “There’s a group of members that nearly set the house on fire, and I’m putting you in charge of them. Please check the rooms periodically so I can forget about it for a while.”
Kendall laughs as he pours a strong liquor into the shot glasses in front of him, but Atlas furrows a brow at me.
“We can do that. But, are you okay?”
“I will be after this.” I take one of their shot glasses, bringing it to my lips to down it. I don’t think about what type of liquor it is, or if someone has already used this shot glass, or if the shot glass is the standard size. I just inhale it, ready to let the tension lessen as my taste buds scream in agony at the disgusting liquid.
And that’s the moment when my omega decides to arrive. As soon as the liquid hits my throat and travels downward, causing warmth to sit where ire used to be, he comes to my side, his eyes as wide as flying saucers.
“Oh, fuck!” he exclaims. “Are you partying with us tonight?” I hesitate, but then he puts his hands together, pleading with me. “You deserve to let loose and have some fun with us. Please, Sam.”
His expression is so fucking cute, I can’t deny him this even if it still gives me anxiety to agree. So, I pick up another shot and take it without thinking. My throat burns, but his eyes shine with mischief, and it’s so worth it to see that wickedness on his face.
“You just took my shot,” Kendall scolds with a smile before pouring himself another, then he pours a third and hands it to Kit. “Alright, Alpha. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I shake my head at him with amusement as they all take their shot. When the alcohol starts to swelter inside of me, I let out a huge breath and take my omega’s hand. “Let’s go dance.”
Kit fucking beams, and it sets me on fire. “Let’s.”
