“Let’s just get cleaned up,” I tell him and he sighs.
The momentary peace is already gone. Nothing to fill this void of wishing my Omega was in her nest right now.
We’re cleaning the room, scent marking with a little more civility, and once everything is cleaned up, I decide I can’t take it anymore.
“We’re not sitting here on hours on end like this. We’ll go right to the VIP room, that’s where Hayes has been taking her after her first sets anyway. That way we’ll see it with our own eyes that she’s safe,” I suggest.
Apparently Nate is on the same level of hormone-induced bad ideas when he agrees.
“Yeah, we’ll just go to the VIP room and spend time with her,” he agrees.
I know it’s a bad idea, but I’m secretly hoping I can convince her to come home. Whatever it takes. I’d offer her my bond right now, I’d give her the security she needs. If it’s in the form of a contract, literally anything. I can’t take another night like this.
We’re in the parking lot of the club when my phone rings. It’s Hailey’s number, and my brows furrow.
“Hailey?” I ask, but it’s a male voice on the phone.
“Uh no, it’s her friend, co-worker, Riley. Uh, I think you guys should come to Lavender Moon right now.”
“Is she alright? Where’s Hayes?”
The man, Riley, on the other end, hisses. “Uh, he might be about to get in a fistfight. I think it’s best that you get here as soon as possible. Shit. I got to go,” he says, before hanging up.
“What’s going on?” Nate asks
“Hayes and Hailey are in trouble,” I growl as I’m already rushing out of the vehicle. I nearly toss my ID to the bouncer and Nate does the same.
I didn’t think this night could get worse. But it just did.
CHAPTER 19
HAILEY
“Am I being ridiculous?”I turn to Riley as we get dressed for the night.
He sighs, leaning over and sniffing me. I’m covered in Nate and Sterling’s scents. That and having Hayes here are the only reasons I’ll possibly make it through the night.
“I don’t think you’re ridiculous for protecting yourself financially. But hurting your inner nature? Yeah girl, you’re being difficult.”
I sigh, combing out a section of my hair. “They spent, like, so much money on my nest tonight. Like…like it was nothing. They looked heartbroken that I was coming here tonight, and honestly, I don’t want to either. I just want to be in my nest; I just want to be with them.”
“Talk to Ian, he’s understanding. Hell, if he doesn’t understand, Luna will. Tell them you need to take some time off to see where this goes and if it doesn’t work out, he’ll hold your spot.”
I nod and take a deep breath. “You’re right, you’re so right. I’ll get through tonight and I’ll talk to Ian and see if we can come up with an agreement.”
“Of course I’m right,” he says with a cheeky smile. “Now, go give one last hurrah as Cherry so you can get on with your Omega princess fairytale.”
I smile at Riley, so thankful that I opened myself up to this friendship. I’m even more relieved that I’ll be truly opening myself up to this courtship. Not having Lavender Moon looming over my head will be such a relief.
“Alright, let’s go get this over with,” I say, staring down at the pink outfit for the night.
I smile as I get on stage, leaning in on the scents I love, and looking for Hayes in the crowd. He sits front and center, his eyes never leaving me, and I can’t wait to tell him the decision I made. They’ve proven that they’re all in and it’s time for me to do the same. I can’t let my past loom over me; I can’t be controlled by fear.
I’m grinning, happy and filled with relief when suddenly three very familiar faces catch my attention, all of them staring at me with pity and shame. Bile creeps up in my throat as they approach my stage.
Lemon, sourdough, and grapefruit flood my system, washing away the scents that comforted me. Shame tingles up my spine and tears well in my eyes. Three of my mom’s Alphas stand before me; Lenny, Terrence, and Clinton.
“Would you look at that,” Clinton says, resting his elbows on the stage and leaning up. It’s a mixture of lust and pity and it sends a sense of self-hatred down my spine.
