Page 3 of An Omega for Christmas

"You make sure you're prettied up and ready to go at seven tonight. And I want details, juicy, juicy details. I'm even going to bake my famous chocolate cake for us to eat whilst you tell me those juicy details, so don't let me down."

Matthew pulled a face at his friend as he walked out of the shop, planning to head for the safety of his home to try to think of an excuse to get out of his date with Grey. He walked through the streets, glad to be away from the stifling confines of the coffee shop and the overbearing Christmas decorations. Not that it was any better in town, really. Christmas was big business in River Mountain, and everyone seemed to have gone crazy this year. Tall Christmas trees lined the streets, each one decorated with gaudy baubles and strings of glowing lights, beckoning everyone in to the bustling market that had been set up, selling, from what Matthew could see, mostly tourist wares, and tackyChristmas souvenirs. He breathed in the scents of various packs mingling together with the festive smells of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, but all it did was leave him feeling cold and empty and not full of comfort and joy like it should.

His Christmas spirit seemed to have completely deserted him, and he knew why. He'd previously loved this time of year, and had gone all out, wearing festive sweaters, decorating the family home with his mom, and helping her bake, filling the house with delicious, warming smells of cinnamon, orange, clove, and cranberry, not to mention roast turkey, with Christmas music playing at full blast.

But that had been before Kelvin. When his family had first been approached by the Red River Pack, his mom and dad had seen it as a great honor. Matthew had been barely eighteen and had only just had his first heat, but his parents had eagerly agreed to the conditions of the contract set out by the Red River Pack, and Matthew had been sent away to be the Alpha's mate. He'd suffered from terrible homesickness, and as the months and years crept by and he'd failed to get pregnant, Kelvin began to make his life unbearable, sending him for expensive test after test, each one more invasive than the last, until he was finally returned back to his family, like he was something broken that could be returned for a refund. His parents had been forced to pay the money back to the Red River Pack and as they had had more children in the time Matthew had been gone, the decision was made to kick him out, the additional burden of a useless omega who couldn't pay his way too much to bear.

Matthew put his head down and walked back to his apartment. He tried to keep everything that had happened with his family deep inside him, but all the Christmas cheer wasstarting to get to him, and stirring up memories that were painful and made him feel lonelier than ever. And now he had a date with another Alpha.

Ruffling his hair, Matthew checked out his reflection in the mirror feeling an intense feeling of anxiety and stress he had been trying to suppress ever since Grey had asked him out. The knock on the door sounded dead on seven and Matthew sighed. He ran a hand over his hair one final time, and then crossed the living room to open the door. His mouth ran dry when he saw Grey standing there looking hotter than hell, his tall, powerful frame enhanced by the expensive looking leather jacket he was wearing and black jeans that appeared to be molded to his muscular thighs. Matthew dragged his gaze up to the Alpha's face, colliding with his golden eyes, the amber flecks positively glowing as Grey stared at him. Matthew's resolve not to get involved with Grey was already crumbling. He'd spent all afternoon trying to concoct an excuse to get out of the date because he knew the instant he laid eyes on the Alpha and breathed in his scent he wouldn't be able to resist Grey. Now, here the Alpha was, and Matthew's mouth was already watering for a taste of him.

"Hi," Grey said, his voice deep and sure as he leaned against the door frame. "Are you ready?"

Matthew glanced at Grey again, before lowering his gaze, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck prickle. The Alpha's power was like electricity sparking against Matthew's skin, sending his blood pulsing through his veins and pooling low in his groin, his cock already feeling hot and heavy in his jeans. He nodded, his gaze skittering over the Alpha's face nervously.Grey grazed his eyes slowly over Matthew, the blatant eye fuck sending heat rocketing straight to the omega's groin.

"Let's go." Matthew's voice came out a little strangled and he didn't miss the cocky smile on Grey's face, a look he was all too familiar with where Alphas were concerned, and it had the desired effect on Matthew. He stepped out of his apartment and shut the door a little harder than necessary so he wasn't tempted to drag Grey inside and beg the Alpha to fuck him.

"Do you want to get a drink?" Grey asked as they walked along the street.

"Maybe after we've looked round the market," Matthew said, shoving his hands into his jacket pocket so he wasn't tempted to do anything stupid like try to hold hands with the Alpha. It was well below freezing and he shivered as they walked along. It wasn't far to Grey's truck, and after an awkward moment when Grey insisted on opening the door for Matthew, they were driving along the icy roads and before long they were pulling up in the little parking lot next to the market.

"Wow," Matthew said, staring out at the festive scene. Every stall was decorated with colorful lights and the huge Christmas tree in the town square was the centerpiece of the show, lit up and glowing in the dark, frosty night. Crowds bustled around the stalls, and a choir sang Christmas carols underneath the Christmas tree.

"Do you like Christmas?" Grey asked, as they walked over to the stalls. Their boots crunched in the snow, and their breath fogged out in front of them as they walked, but Matthew could already feel the heat coming off Grey. He made a beeline for one of the stalls and tried to get himself under control.

"Yeah, but it's not such a big deal when you're on your own, I guess," Matthew said, looking around at the different stalls, relaxing a little. There was something about being in Grey's company, surrounded by his strong, musky scent, that gave him comfort and he felt safe for the first time in a long time. "Do you?"

"I used to, but I don't have anyone to celebrate it with now, so..."

Matthew caught the hint of sadness in Grey's tone and turned to look at the Alpha.

"I split up with someone last year. It wasn't going anywhere, but Christmas brings it home how lonely I feel."

"What about your pack?"

"Yeah, they're always there but it's not the same as having someone to wake up with on Christmas morning, do you know what I mean?"

Matthew caught Grey's gaze but then hastily looked away when he saw amber flash there. They were already heading into dangerous territory and Matthew knew he had to steer them away. "Yeah," he said, finally. "Do you want to look around the stalls?"

"Okay," Grey said and wrapped his big hand around Matthew's, the sudden warm contact making Matthew jump and sending a shudder of need straight through him. He thought briefly about pulling away, but he didn't want to. His hand in Grey's felt right, and he already knew he was doomed. He felt his heart beat a little faster in his chest and he automatically steppedcloser to the Alpha, wanting to wrap his body around Grey's big, strong one, to let the Alpha take care of him in every conceivable way.

"Is this okay?" Grey's voice intruded on Matthew's thoughts and he looked down at their hands. He nodded at the Alpha and Grey smiled. "Good."

They explored the market and Grey didn't let go of Matthew's hand once. Matthew's wolf practically purred every time Grey's thumb brushed over his skin and he began to feel a warm glow of happiness inside as though just being close to the Alpha made everything right with his world. Grey bought Matthew a glass of mulled wine and a Christmas cookie and they soaked up the festive atmosphere, watching the bustling crowds and the excited flushed faces of the children as they chased each other around, yelling and shrieking.

"I'd forgotten how excited children get at this time of year," Grey laughed, his fingers stroking over Matthew's palm.

Matthew stiffened at the mention of children but before he had the chance to reply a familiar deep voice boomed across to them, making Matthew jump and Grey's hand tense on Matthew's when a tall bulky figure strode through the crowd toward them. "Well, don't you two look cozy?"

"Kelvin," Grey said, standing up and sliding his body slightly in front of Matthew. "Good to see you, again. Enjoying the market?"

Kelvin shrugged. "I'm not a big fan of Christmas, but I see you've picked up an early present." Kelvin glanced past Grey at Matthew, his nose twitching and a cruel smile spread acrosshis face. Matthew swallowed and lowered his gaze, praying that Kelvin would go away.

"You said you had another mate," Grey said, stepping a little closer to the other Alpha, blocking Matthew completely from Kelvin's view.

"Oh, I have," Kelvin grinned at Grey, licking his lips. "You're welcome to this one, but I'm just concerned you don't know what you're getting into, especially if you were looking for a breeder."

Matthew flinched at the derogatory term as Grey suddenly stepped right up into Kelvin's face, and Matthew sensed the change in the air between them as Grey squared up to Kelvin. Matthew wanted to tell Grey that he wasn't worth fighting over but Kelvin beat him to it.