“It is with that dom, and you can see Alpha Oren standing by. Is it something you would want to do?”
“Not now,” he said. “I’m afraid it would hurt my leg. In fact, I would be nervous using the cross even right side up because of the injury. At this point, I seek out dungeon furniture where I am lying down or sitting so I don’t put any kind of stress on the muscle.” Curiosity and concern warred within me, but it would have to wait.
“Fair.” I released his hand, not wanting to tow him into the thick crowd for fear of causing him pain. “Will you wait here for just a moment?”
“Okay.” He braced himself on a railing, weight clearly off the one leg. “I’ll be right here.”
“I’ll hurry.” Although I hadn’t played since my mate’s passing, I was a known alpha and dom, so I had no trouble getting past the watchers and to Oren’s side. “This is unusual.”
“I’m not crazy about it,” he grumbled. “But they got approval and I just have to make sure it’s all safe. The cross is very secure, and I check the bindings before they began the scene, but it does look risky, doesn’t it?”
“I’d say so. But I don’t think Evan would be doing it if he thought his mate would be hurt.” They were fated and a love match. “In fact, if I had to guess, I’d say it was his mate’s idea.”
“So I’ve been given to understand.” Oren’s eyes never left the scene in front of him. “How’s your evening going?”
“Good.” Certainly interesting. “Listen, is there a private room available for a little while?”
His gaze flicked to me wide and startled, before returning to the scene in front of him. The alpha was moving around the bound omega, long-tailed flogger swishing over the omega’s smooth, pale skin. Not a single red stripe marred it, so they were just warming up, but both displayed signs of arousal already. And the watchers breathing held a harsh quality already. Kink served many purposes for those who participated in it, including voyeurs or just those who liked to see someone experiencing a particular scene. It wasn’t always sexual, but the members of Crowned wouldn’t be here if they weren’t seeking something they couldn’t find elsewhere.
“Wulf, are you going to scene with someone?” He knew my story, so his surprise was not…surprising.
“Not exactly. But I would like privacy for some time with an omega. If it’s not possible, it’s fine.”
“Give me a second.” He spoke into a microphone on his shirt and waited for a moment, then nodded. “You’re lucky. We had a cancellation for the Medieval Chamber. You know where it is?”
I chuckled. “I’ve never been in but if what I have been told is true, it should make for an interesting background for our conversation. There’s a sign on the door, right?”
“Yes, and the lock is on the inside. Also, there is the window in the door, don’t forget. It closes if you don’t want lookie-loos.”
“Thank you. I think most of them are right here, but when this scene ends they will be looking for something else to watch, I suppose.”
“No doubt.” Oren gave me a quick smile. “Is the omega you are talking about the one waiting over there? Striker?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“He is friends with my omega, and his story is heartbreaking. You might be the perfect alpha to spend time with him.”
“It’s just a conversation.” Despite my wolf’s howls and insistence on getting to know this omega better. “I’d like to hear his story from him.”
“Uh oh. I need to go check the ankle wrap. Enjoy the dungeon.”
Dungeon… I had heard it was very historical in nature, and of course being here there would be some element of that but a booth or a couch in one of the public areas might be a better choice.
Yet, I just took his hand again and led him out the back and into the hallway lined with doors. The pet-play area, the little room, and all the various themed playrooms for couples or groups. “We got the Medieval Room,” I told him. “Have you ever played there?”
“I’ve never been in any of those, just the main floor,” he said. “Should I be scared?”
“No. We’re just going to have a conversation.”
“Oh right.” His hand tightened in mine. “I think a scene would be easier.”
Chapter Six
Striker
A private room for our conversation. One would think that would put me at ease, but it actually tensed me up more. I’d managed to keep every contact with an alpha impersonal up until now, and most seemed perfectly fine with that. My story, or some version of it, was no secret at the club. Crowned was a big sponsor of the Skin to Fur Tournament, and as I’d been preparing for the events, people would come up to talk to me about it all the time.
Then I was gone for a good while after the accident, and when I returned nobody mentioned it. They were kind and didn’t want me to feel bad, but it also had the effect of making me feel unseen. For sure I contributed to that by keeping to myself, not hanging out to visit as I used to, but it still stung.
