He’s wearing a deep fuchsia suit with no undershirt, black shoes, and his black leather body harness, which Abel gifted him for his birthday.
Abel struts out of the bathroom, and I about hit my knees. He wears a grey suit, but his undershirt is just a fishnet top. His silky black hair is perfectly styled, and I don’t think in all the years I’ve been with this man have I ever seen him dressed like this.
“You two look fucking amazing.” I know my jaw is on the floor, and my head is bouncing between the two of them. “Am I underdressed?!”
I know I’m not… but goddamn we’re going to be the best looking pack there.
We pull into the back parking lot so we can head through Heat Wave’s back entrance for the grand opening.
I can’t believe it’s finally here.
We did it.
I couldn’t be prouder of August and every obstacle he’s had to overcome this past year. August is beside me in the back of my SUV as Abel finds our assigned parking spot, and I pull August’s body into mine. “How are you feeling, August?”
I can feel the worry and stress running down our bond, so I wrap my arm around him even tighter, letting my purr pick up to settle him.
“Nervous, but ready for everyone to see what we’ve been working so hard on.” He looks up at me from where he’s resting on my chest, and I gently press my lips to his. Slowly, I slide my tongue across his bottom lip to tease. I don’t want to get him too worked up knowing how close he is to his heat.
Abel and I really didn’t think he would make it to the grand opening before his next heat, but here we are, thankfully.
We meet Rex and Maverick at the back door, and of course, Ryker isn’t far behind them. Even when the two of them are working, they don’t let Ryker out of their sight.
Do we need trained mercenaries as security at Heat Wave…
Probably not.
But better safe than sorry, right?
Plus, Rex and Maverick aren’t going anywhere. They’re so fucked when it comes to Ryker, it’s not even funny.
We walk through the main hallway that’s lined with windows on each side of us. Plants and vines scatter the glass, one of August’s main requests due to plants being natural scent reducers. Many omegas are allergic to scent blockers, and he didn’t want them to have to be worn in Heat Wave.
We come to the end of the hallway where we can hear all the chatter from the folks in the lobby who are here for the grand opening. The air filtration system is working overtime to keep the scents tampered down.
Abel looks to August and wraps him up in his arms. “Don’t be nervous, my little omega, all the people out there already know and love you.”
I hear August’s deep inhale and exhale. “You’re right.” He pulls out of Abel’s embrace and straightens his pink suit jacket, before he pulls his lip gloss out of his black clutch, slowly applies it, pops his lips a few times, and turns on his heel to head for the lobby desk to give his speech.
The small crowd claps as August gets to his place behind the desk, and Abel and I fall to his sides. “When I look out into the crowd, I see everyone who has made this possible. Thank you to the amazing construction crew that dealt with every meltdown I had throughout this process.” August pauses with the laugh of the crowd. “The smiling omegas that are staying here, and all the Alphas that could make it out today, this whole dream wouldn’t have come to life if it wasn’t for each and everyone of you.”
There’s not one person out there that’s not smiling away at August’s sweet words, and it warms my heart to be surrounded by such caring people.
“I couldn’t have done this without my two amazing Alphas.” August looks over his shoulder at Abel and I. Tears sting my eyes, I give him a blinding smile. When I turn to Abel and see the tears soaking his cheeks, a sob crawls up my throat and breaks free. “I love both of you so much, and when I say Heat Wave would’ve never happened if you two weren’t by my side—I’m not overexaggerating.”
August says a few more words, but I don’t hear them. My vision is tunneling, but not in an anxiety type of way—it’s more so my Alpha instincts taking over and my body preparing me for August’s heat…
Right as those thoughts enter my head, August doubles over onto the desk in front of the small crowd we have for the grand opening, and we’re at his side in no time.
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
ABEL
The carmel-wrapped sandalwood hits me, and I know before needing to look any further… my omega is in heat.
In the middle of his goddamn grand opening.
