The bar at Crowned was about as busy as I’d ever seen it, but while waiting for my drink I ran into a friend. He and his mate, Noble, were all about their adorable little one, Libby, an nobody could encounter either of them without hearing about her latest milestones. She was learning to talk and had enough sass for three babies while still being so cute it was impossible to mind. Tonight, Oren was taking a shift as dungeon monitor, making sure all the members practiced kink safely, while Noble was at home.
After speaking with him and seeing a picture of his little family on his phone, my spirits lifted a little. I might not have love in my life, but I could be glad for my friend who did. Oren owned a share of the club group Crowned was a part of, which was why his phone was in his pocket rather than being checked like mine. He had been talking to me for a while about investing in the company, which I was considering. After selling my four-thousand-square-foot home I’d moved to the efficiency condo I’d purchased when I couldn’t bear coming home and expecting to see that beloved face in every corner.
That meant I not only had lower expenses every month but a nice chunk of sitting in the bank from the sale. Add in the success of the clinic and I had a financial advisor urging me to make additional investments.
Chained could be the place to do that. I needed to review and have him review the number, but I could see spending more time here as a plus. A way to improve my portfolio while staying busy and keeping my mind occupied.
No rush though. I wanted to think about it a little more. There were other opportunities on the table as well, and Iwanted to be sure I didn’t just take this one because it was where I hung out and where I had memories with my mate.
I sat down, holding my drink, and took a long sip. When I arrived at the club, several friends had been seated on the sofa and chairs of our preferred conversation grouping, but while I waited for my drink order, most of them had gone to the main floor for scenes with their mates or other submissives. Only Evander, my very good friend and another owner of the club, remained. And the look he gave me held more empathy than pity. He’d moved here to take charge of the kitchen, a chef with more awards than he could list, and it was a rare evening he gave up his kitchen supervisory duties to hang out.
And even rarer that he didn’t take advantage of his free time to play with his omega, Hudson. They also had a baby, Theo, but Hudson hadn’t stayed home with him tonight. He was sitting with a group of omegas in another conversation area, laughing and talking.
“Bad day?” Evander waved over a server and ordered food, his solution for bad days. It was not a standard menu order but something special and very detailed.
The girl typed it into her tablet and nodded. “Got it, Chef. I’ll bring it as soon as it’s ready.” She moved on to another table, leaving us alone for the moment.
“So, anything rough with patients?”
“No, they were all about as well behaved as I can expect. If I could get them to do their exercises during the week, they’d heal faster, but that’s just part of the job.”
He picked up his cocktail, a whiskey neat, and leaned back into the black-leather couch. “That must be frustrating.”
I shrugged. “No so much anymore. My day was fine, but I still get a little blue.”
“Of course.” He glanced toward the cluster of omegas then shook his head. “If you need anything at all, you know we’re here for you.”
“You have been for over a year now, and I appreciate you more than I can say. I expected to feel better, at least a little, and truthfully the raw agony has faded, but on my best days I’m numb. I want to move on. I would advise any friend to do so. I can promise you I’m trying.”
“Maybe do a scene one night. There are enough single omegas who would be thrilled to be tied up and flogged by the silent dom.”
“Is that what they call me? I’m not silent. Look, I’m talking now.”
“But you never talk to any of them.”
“I do…don’t I?” I tried to remember when I might have. “I say hello or…nod?”
“You are never intentionally rude. But beyond a greeting or an ‘excuse me’ if you bump into someone, you never connect with anyone but other alphas and our omega partner. Never anyone who might represent a step forward. Am I correct in saying you never played with anyone but Marcus? Ever?”
I winced, his name still stinging. But I had to admit, “No, he was my first and last.”
“Wulf, no wonder you’re sad if you feel that way. Last? Do you think Marcus would want that for you? To spend all the rest of your very long shifter life sad and alone? If I remember your mate, he’d give you a severe tongue lashing for talking like that. He’d want you to live a good and happy life until you see him again on the other side.”
“Probably. But if he wanted to have a say about my life, he should have stuck around to spend it with me.” Ugh. That sounded bitter.
To his credit, Evander let the comment pass.
“Nobody is interested in me, anyway.” Now whiny. Why did anyone even want to talk to me?
The server arrived with a tray holding artfully cut vegetables, cheeses, and other appealing small bites. “Will there be anything more, Chef?”
“I think…cookies. I made some tiny cookies earlier, and we’ll have some of those, Gennie. Thank you.”
“Is your solution to my problems stuffing me like a turkey?” I asked, already reaching for a bright-green olive.
“It’s always my solution, but tonight I have something else.”
“Cookies?”
