Everyone stared as the group of alphas finally departed. They left behind a huge mess at their table, spilled drinks and peanut shells, but the worst of all was the fear they instilled in Henry.
“You okay?” I asked the omega.
He nodded, but he was clearly shaken.
Ryu spoke gently to Henry. “Is there anyone you can call who can take you home? If not, I’d be happy to do it, if you don’t mind an alpha escorting you back.”
Henry smiled weakly. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m really fine. I’ll finish my drink and head back later.” He shrugged. “It’s not the first time something like this has happened.”
“That’s terrible,” Ryu said, his brows knitted in genuine sympathy. “I’m so sorry.”
“Man,fuckthose guys!” Dante cried. He and Lorenzo ran up to Ryu. “If my reflexes were faster, I would have kicked that guy’s ass. But man, Scar, that punch you threw… You literally knocked that guy off his feet!”
“To be fair, hewasintoxicated, and probably would have gone down to a gust of wind,” Lorenzo added.
“Whatever. Scar, that was awesome.”
It felt strange being praised for physical violence, but I suppose itwasfor the sake of protecting someone. Not knowing what to say, I just shrugged.
I glanced at Henry. “Just let me know if you need anything else. I’ll help you out.”
“Thanks,” Henry said with a shy smile.
“Alright, show’s over!” I called to all the other rubberneckers watching the situation unfold. They all sheepishly went back to their own business.
With a deep sigh, I rested by the counter for a while. As if I hadn’t been through enough drama today. Hopefully that was the last of it.
The rest of the evening passed normally. Close to closing time, most of the bar had emptied out except for Ryu’s group, and Henry.
The omega approached me and laid a handful of coins on the counter. “Here. Thanks for sticking up for me.”
I counted the money, then pushed it back towards him with a grunt. “You paid me too much.”
“It’s a tip,” Henry said.
I turned my back to him as I continued to wipe a glass clean. “Keep it.”
Eventually, I heard him collect the coins and leave. I sighed. I knew he would be on my mind for the rest of the night. Maybe I should have insisted someone escort him home. Then again, just because he was an omega didn’t mean he was weak. I probably would have been pissed off if someone tried to escort me home.
Except no one wouldeveroffer to do that for me; an old, scarred omega.
Dante and Lorenzo left, telling Ryu they’d be waiting outside for him. They both paid and tipped generously. Now, taking tips from alphas I had no problem with.
With most of the customers gone, I figured it was time to start cleaning up the mess Mav and his group of cavemen alphas created. As I grabbed the broom and limped over to the peanut shells, Ryu appeared before me with his hand outstretched.
“Here, let me help with that,” he offered.
The snappy remark came out before I could stop myself. “I can do it myself, thanks.”
Ryu didn’t look offended. “It’s late and you probably want to get home. It’ll be easier if there’s two people instead of one.”
I stared at him for a while, then said, “There’s another broom leaning on the back pantry.”
Ryu fetched the broom and began helping me sweep up. When the floor was tidy again, I asked him, “Why are you helping me?”
“Is there a problem with it?”
I scrutinized his expression, searching for any scrap of sympathy, but found none.
