Elara
“Do you happen to know what you like?” Quinn teased as we stepped into Glamorous Gems. “Or were you never granted the opportunity to scavenge through your mother’s jewelry box? Or played with the neighbors as you all sat around a toy tea set all dressed up in playing pretend?”
“No, my parents gave me the typical things children of beta families usually have… A classic kitchen set for those who couldn’t afford a dispenser, a sewing machine, and I was beginning to learn how to fix hover cars when my puberty hit.”
“So you know nothing about jewelry… or dressing up for that matter,” Quinn concluded, shaking her head at me with her mouth pressed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Love me,” I teased as I stuck my tongue out and batted my eyes. “That’s why I have you. How would I know what jewelry I want to go with them?”
“May I help you?”
A mature beta stood before us. The sweat dripping down his receding gray hairline made him appear nervous, flicking his pale green eyes between us. His glistening name tag reflected in the store’s light, dazzled by a multitude of tiny gems. It read ‘Toasty’ with a line of obsidian ink. The station’s badge appeared like an afterthought, as it shadowed the brilliance of the employee’s name tag on his black suit.
“Elara is looking for a showpiece for her virgin walk in The Den,” Quinn replied. Her playful tone had become serious as she smoothly switched into her role. “I know you are known for your stunning pieces that are in high demand. Fortunately for us, I was told that your store had recently received a new shipment of fine stones perfect for the occasion.”
“Luck has you.” Toasty grinned wildly, revealing diamond and gold studded front teeth. He opened his arms as if he was welcoming us like his own kin before placing his hands onto the fiberglass display cases. “You’ve heard right. The shop’s inventory is the best it’s been since we’ve moved here. Is there, by chance, a certain style you are looking for?”
“I was hoping for a more natural look.” Biting my bottom lip, I glanced at all the displays as I failed to picture myself glamoured up with the pieces within. This wasn’t me. But if Quinn believed this was for the best, then I would listen to her. “Something classy and not too showy.”
“Let’s start with what type of dress you are planning on wearing, and we can go from there.”
“An elegant backless emerald dress with a see-through bodice, detailed with fine crystal beading,” Quinn explained, pressing a hand against my back to lead me closer to the display. “Her hair will be braided to allow the whole room to get a clear view of her face from all angles of the arena… and tempt them with her needy unmated omega scent.”
“Sounds exquisite,” Toasty drawled and let out a long whistle as he studied me. Surprisingly, the weight of his gaze didn’t feel invasive, but more like an artist peering at a blank canvas, taking in the atmosphere. He tilted his head and nodded, clicking his teeth as he appeared seemingly satisfied with the solution he came up with. “I have something just right for you.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he swiftly turned around. I caught the glimmer of his mating bite on the back of his neck as he walked through the back door. Instantly, I discovered why he was called Toasty as I caught a whiff of bubbly, melted marshmallows roasted on a campfire before the filtration system swallowed it up.
Clenching my legs together, I tried but failed to swallow the whimper that bubbled in my throat. Wincing, I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment over getting aroused by an older—yet attractive—bonded beta. Was this just a glimpse of what was to come? I shouldn’t be lusting over every single edible-smelling person that I come by.
Glancing around the store, I hoped no one saw my predicament and cursed under my breath when all of the customers had their knowing gazes. But, sadly, it wasn’t as if I had any place to hide. Between the room’s bright lighting and the single line of display cases that made a U-shaped border between customers and the workers, there wasn’t a place I could hide—other than behind Quinn.
“It’s going to be okay, Elara,” Quinn soothed as she grabbed my shoulder and pressed me against her side. Her calming scent rolled over me, grounding my arousal. “What happened is only natural, especially for unmated omegas so close to their heat. As soon as we are done here, we will return you to your nest.”
“What if I leave and allow you to pick whatever you want me to wear tomorrow?” I huffed, just wanting to be done with the day. “I know you don’t need me… And you are fully capable of buying whatever you believe I need.
“Because that isn’t fun,” Quinn teased, pouting, and gave me a quick reassuring shake before letting go. “You know I’ve never led you wrong.”
“I know…”
Rolling my eyes, I surveyed the room once more, only for them to lock on to a trio conversing with one another as they were being helped nearby. The leader of the group glanced up. His icy blue eyes met mine as his mouth opened ajar, stunned. The woman with wild fiery hair, which seemed to have a life of its own as it shifted with the airflow, turned to the suited leader and gently whacked him on the stomach. He jerked his gaze back to the worker as the long brown-haired male with them looked over my way, curious what his leader was staring at as a hiss escaped my lips. His light brown eyes widened before he instantly lowered his head and turned away.
“Sorry that I’ve kept you waiting, ladies,” Toasty exclaimed, and he placed a black case onto the display and opened it with a wide grin. “These beauties will make anyone look your way for your big day.”
Inside, there were five different sets of jewelry, but only two caught my eye.
A thin long three-tiered necklace made out of a silver chain with pearls and diamonds glistened in the store’s crisp lighting. Next to it was a thick pearl and diamond choker with a pair of matching diamond chandelier earrings.
“These are perfect,” I gasped, holding my chest as I glanced at Quinn, who beamed at me with a wild ‘I told you so’ grin. “But don’t you think they are too much?”
“There is no such thing as too much.” Quinn chuckled, reaching out for the long dangle necklace. “I know some omegas love a more natural look, but that doesn’t fit either you or your gown. You need something to match the amount of class and sexiness to tease those alphas.”
“Your gamma is right,” a baritone voice cut in. “Perfect omegas leave their necks exposed for easy access. Anything on them would only get ruined in the heat of the moment, and we can’t have that.”
A dark-haired male leaned with his arms crossed and his back pressed against the display. His brown gaze locked on the juncture of my neck, and the low purr radiating from his chest only confirmed the alpha rank on his station badge as a strong scent of soured limes and burnt honey. My nose wrinkled in disgust from the unpleasantness of his aroma, instantly drying any hint of arousal I had left in me. As he began to reach for me with the back of his hand, I tried to back away, only to be stopped by Quinn’s arm around my waist as she tucked me behind her.
His eyes remained locked on my neck, almost as if he were hypnotized, unfazed by Quinn’s sudden protection of me. My gamma gripped his wrist and swiftly twisted it. His purr turned into a hiss as his eyes bulged in shock.
“Don’t you ever think about placing a hand on an omega uninvited,” Quinn growled, placing herself between the handsy alpha and myself. “Do you hear me?”
