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Every year the company would host a raffle at the solstice party, with prizes ranging from gift certificates to local restaurants all the way to vacation packages.

Cam shrugged. “I don’t know, Disney World or something. Trish is always in charge of that.”

“Damn, that sounds tight. You ever won anything at one of these?”

He snorted, shaking his head like I was an idiot. “Do you have any idea how bad it would look if the owner got one of the good prizes? The running joke is that I only ever win something stupid, like socks. Keeps morale up.”

We pulled into the parking lot outside at Ash & Antler, the industrial loft where we were hosting the party. It was one of the nicest event spaces available for rent in Maiingan Hollow, and since moving to town I’d probably been to at least five weddings and three Designation Day parties here.

Thumping music and flashing lights made their way through the large windows as we walked up, and Cam mustered up a happy face, opening the doors and loudly greeting everyone in his view.

He made the rounds while I grabbed a drink and a table, getting ready for Marlowe’s arrival. She was still forty minutes out, but luckily I wasn’t the boss and I didn’t have to go pretend to be friendly to anyone.

Cam relieved Trish and took over the next few rounds in front of the giant raffle drum, calling out the prizes as each employee took their turn.

“Alright Lilian, let’s see what you won… Aw damn, paintball lessons? I wanted those. Any chance you’d trade me for…” he dug a ticket out of his pocket and read it out loud. “Some scented candles?”

The beta female who worked in procurement laughed. “Are you kidding me? Byron’s been kicking my ass at paintball for years. This is my chance to pay him back!”

Cam grumbled and looked at the paper in hand. “Dammit, still gotta find someone to switch with me.”

Lilian grabbed her ticket and headed towards the prize counter. “Keep ‘em and give ‘em to your omega,” she said with a wink. “Females love scented candles, trust me.”

“Says the female passing them up…” he grumbled.

Lilian patted him on the shoulder before leaving. “Sorry, I just love kicking my boyfriend’s ass more.”

I took a look at my phone.

Thirty-seven more minutes to go.

“…so I just want to say thank you for an amazing year. We may have lost our last co-founder, James Linden, but I’m confident in the direction we’re taking this company, and I’m confident in all of you to help get us there. So… yeah, Happy Solstice, and try not to drink us into the red!”

Cam was finishing his end-of-the-year speech, and I was finishing my fourth beer when a pair of slim, pale arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind, the familiar scent of pistachio and honey flooding my senses.

“Hey hot stuff, miss me?”

I got up and turned around, my omega looking drop-dead gorgeous. Her strawberry blonde hair, down and in loose waves, popped against the sparkly, dark green dress. It was tight, and short, with thin straps and a deep v neck showing off her perfect breasts. Even with her black heels, I still dwarfed her, leaning down to grab her cheeks in my hands as I rested my forehead against hers.

“Fuck yes,” I sighed. “Lowe, you have no…”

“MOVE!”

Cam pushed me out of the way and embraced her tightly, lifting her off the ground and swaying back and forth, her legs dangling in the air.

“Baby, don’t ever leave me again. I hated every second of it.”

She laughed, nuzzling him back. “Yeah right, I’m sure you had lots of fun bro time with Julian.”

Cam buried his face in her neck and breathed her in deeply. “Nah, he’s a shit cuddler.” He finally put her down and gave her a once-over. “Damn, baby… you look like a hot Christmas tree.”

The look on Marlowe’s face was priceless, as she scrunched it in equal parts confusion, offense, and humor. “What the hell, you told me you liked this color?”

“I do! You look amazing.”

Marlowe looked at me for confirmation. “Is it just me, or does it sound like Cam wants to fuck…”

I whispered in her ear, “Tell him he looks good in his suit, he tried real hard today.”