We just need to get into the proper of the party, so we can sit or stand somewhere out of the way of the throng of people, and we won’t have to really pay much attention to the rest of what’s going on around us.
But, of course, even though Max and Liam don’t seem to be the most important people around, loads of people, mostly parents, guessing by their age, still come over to them to greet them and talk to them. The guys are pretty good at the boring small talk and seem even better at getting out of small talk with a couple of kind words and a handful of smiles. Yeah, they might not be the most important around, but they’re important enough that by my quick count, sixteen different Omegas were introduced to them, mostly female, but some male too, in under ten minutes. Interesting.
From the corner of my eyes I spot a face I recognise and when I look up, Max’ cousin, Julie, is standing at the far end of the hallway, giving me a quick and knowing smile as she sees what’s happening. Then her Alpha wife softly tugs on her arm and they disappear into one of the side rooms.
Liam leans close, an easy smile on his lips, but it doesn’t fully reach his eyes. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay.” I try to keep my voice low. “You seem to be popular.”
He laughs, a real smile now. “I don’t know if ‘popular’ is the right word. Most of those parents know that I’m a bachelor Alpha who is rich, but their offering of their Omega to me is more... performative, since we’re with Max. Max though...”
I look around. Max was right next to us just a moment ago, but I can’t see him right now. “Where is...” How did he disappear that fast?
“There he is...” Liam puts on a different smile, something polite, while also... mischievous? I don’t know.
He takes a couple of steps, pushing through a wall of people, and he wraps his arm over Max’ shoulder, who looks a little uncomfortable surrounded by so many people, all trying to get his attention. “Sorry, ladies and gents, I’m going to have to borrow this guy for now. I’ll try to return him later.”
Then he pulls Max away, while Max apologises for having to leave. As they pass me, Liam puts his arm over my shoulders too and navigates us towards the closest room we can find. “I think we’ve been out there long enough.”
The second room seems quieter, and I realise that the group here is... Well, the average age here is a lot younger than out in the main hallway. While the parents of the Alphas, Betas and Omegas try to catch the attention of someone to marry their kid off to out there, here, it’s mostly Alphas, Betas and even some Omegas on their own, no parents around. Some people are younger than me, but most are around my age or slightly older. Here, it at least feels less like a meat market, unlike out there, and that relaxes me a little.
As we make our way to a table in the back, a waiter comes over with drinks and Liam grabs us all a glass. He meets my eyes. “If you want water, I’ll get you some, but this is just so it looks we’re at least trying to blend in.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “I’m good though. As long as I get something to eat in me soon.” I did make sure to eat before I left, since I knew there would be alcohol, but that isn’t going to help me all night, or even for very long, especially not with the speed that some here down their alcohol.
“Snacks. Good idea. I can do that.” Liam stands up, putting his hand on my shoulder and something goes through me from the way he looks down at me, the caring, the kindness.
It makes my heart flutter and heat build inside me. Oh, hell. Why does he have to look so handsome in that suit? It’s hard enough to ignore that when he wears normal clothes, but this is almost unfair...
“I’ll be right back.” His voice is low as he walks off.
I turn to Max, who’s been quiet ever since we pulled him away from the group of parents, and I find him frowning at a door between here and the next room.
“What’s wrong?” I lean towards him and he quickly looks my way, a soft smile forming around his lips.
“Nothing. I thought... I thought I saw something, but I’m probably just imagining things. Probably some paparazzi trying to get ‘juicy’ pics from the event.” He puts his hand over mine. “What do you think of it?” Heat spreads from his hand to mine and I don’t want him to let go, just that touch already making me feel safer, for some reason.
“Of what?” I try to keep my voice light, try not to let him know how I react to him.
“The party? The house? Other people’s clothes?” He shrugs a little. “Anything that doesn’t have to do with how appealing of a ‘mate’ anyone is. I just want someone to talk of something other than mates.”
Ah, right. This guy really isn’t that comfortable in groups, is he? “The party seems really busy, lots of people who are dressed really well, or at least try to pretend that they are.” I nod
