Page 3 of Bewitched

T he black dress was too short, the shoulder straps were too thin, and she wasn’t wearing pantyhose. However, her shoes were beautiful stilettos with red soles that cost more than her dorm fees, and Layla wasn’t about to turn that down. Helena assured her she looked sexy, even if Layla would rather be considered cute.

Alphas didn’t like cute. They wanted sexy and sultry. Cute attracted betas.

Layla had to be cute.

Helena’s party was on frat row, a short walk through the wooded park on the outskirts of the housing developments.

The park had once been a vast forest that had been chipped away by the university over the years. Now, little of the wood still stood, but it was just enough to protect the horny beta students making out in the bushes.

Layla stared up at the canopy as they followed the paved walkway. “This place is always so creepy in the dark.”

“No,” said Helana, “it’s beautiful. It really connects you to the earth and nature.”

Layla scrunched her nose.

“What? You’ve never thought about being chased by an alpha through the woods like our ancestors? Letting them catch you and rutting into the dirt? It’s primal.”

Her cheeks heated, and she shook her head. Never in her life. That sounded terrifying. She couldn’t even imagine playing that game with any of her beta ex-boyfriends. It was too alpha — the exact thing she never wanted.

Helena shrugged. “More for me.”

Layla silently agreed. Her phone buzzed inside her little clutch, but she ignored it. Nothing was going to ruin her night.

The party was in full swing before they even reached frat row; people were already stretched out on the well-manicured lawn, drinking and smoking weed. She could hear the deep thump of music from inside the large house. An alpha symbol hung ominously over the front door.

The Alpha House. The only fraternity exclusively for alphas. Layla immediately regretted coming.

She slowed.

Helena rolled her eyes and tugged on her hand. “Layla, you’re beautiful, and everyone is so friendly at these things. They are going to love you.”

Layla pretended to fix her hair and surreptitiously sniffed her wrist. No smell. Helena’s pills and the scent blockers were doing their job. No wonky hormones to ruin her night. She could do this. She could have normal college experiences. She was going to have fun or die trying.

“Hel! Layla! You came!” Raina Bartlet squealed from the porch.

Raina was tall, blond, and beautiful. She was exactly like her dear departed mother, so it was no surprise to anyone when she presented as an alpha. While Bryson had celebrated his daughter’s fine genetic luck, Shera quietly pulled Layla away from her friend and ensured they would never spend time alone together again.

If Mina used her alpha nature like a sword, Raina used it like a lure, drawing people in until they were caught in her charms. Her soft floral scent was at odds with her commanding presence. Raina wasn’t a good alpha like Layla’s father, but she was… fine. She wasn’t a murderer like Bryson or aggressive like Jaxon Harlow.

Raina hugged Helena, both of them touching each other more than necessary. Layla stood by awkwardly, making sure no one was staring too hard, but everyone in the yard seemed to be preoccupied with their own vices.

Her phone buzzed again, and Layla held her clutch behind her back so she wouldn’t be tempted to look.

Raina let go of Helena and turned to Layla. Her smile was shy and reserved, an attempt not to frighten a flighty omega. And really, if they could treat her like a beta, this wouldn’t be so awkward. She leaned forward and gave Layla a tentative sniff but didn’t offer a hug or even touch her, which Layla appreciated.

“We couldn’t get you out to Grandfather’s birthday party. I never thought you’d show up here,” Raina said.

Layla blushed, unsure if she had been insulted or not. She could never tell with Raina. “I wasn’t invited. That was Mina.”

The alpha girl grimaced. “Oh, shame. You would have been much better company.”

“I’m sure your grandfather would disagree.” Layla and Damian’s dislike of each other had been immediate and mutual, though he doted on Mina like she was going to be his next wife. Layla was sure there was nothing she could do to make him like her.

Raina gave an exaggerated shudder. “I don’t know what he sees in her. She’s a menace. Her security details are always the worst.”

Probably because Mina did her job instead of letting Raina get away with whatever she wanted.

Layla gave her a tight smile. “I can see how that would bother you.”

The alpha girl rolled her eyes. “Come on, Layla. Pics or it didn’t happen.” Raina squished close to Helena and held her phone up for a selfie. Layla smiled gamely and tried to look excited.

“Thanks.” Raina clicked through her phone for a moment, not looking at either of them.

“Hurry up, it’s time for drinks!” Helena whined.

Layla rolled her eyes. She really needed a drink or three.

Raina led them inside, the crowd parting before their queen. The young alpha greeted several people as she passed but also kept a hand tight around Helena’s wrist. Layla was disconcerted by the possessive gesture. They weren’t dating, and as far as Layla knew, Raina preferred men.

She didn’t understand alphas at all. Sometimes, they seemed like a completely different species, and she couldn’t imagine anyone putting up with their dominance displays long enough to be intimate. She counted herself lucky that she didn’t find it attractive at all.

A short, stocky alpha leaned against the wall. He was older than most of the attendees, and he might have been handsome if he took care of himself. As it was, his hair was greasy, and he smelled steeply of alcohol and unwashed musk. “Ladies!” he shouted.

Layla stiffened.

Raina stopped and smiled patronizingly. “Garret.”

“My goodness,” Garret said and wiped his hands off on a garishly patterned shirt. “Look at these lovely omegas you’ve brought to the den.”

Helena smirked and preened, never afraid of a compliment. Layla wanted to sink into the floor.

Raina’s smile was sharp and unfriendly. “Helena Wayland. Layla Nash. This is Garret Rivers, an Alpha House alumni. He graduated so long ago his own children should have pledged by now.”

Garret’s eyes narrowed on Raina for a moment, then came back to Layla. “She jests. I don’t have children. I haven’t found that perfect omega, yet.”

Helena giggled, and Raina squeezed her wrist hard.

Layla smiled politely. “I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

He looked her up and down. “A Nash? I bet I know your father.”

Layla tried to keep her smile from turning into a grimace. “My father knows a lot of people.”

“I’m sure.” The older alpha gave a sloppy bow and reached for her hand.

Layla reluctantly put her hand in his, and he brought his lips close to her skin, not quite touching, breathing her in deeply. She’d never been more grateful for the invention of scent blockers.

“My lady,” he murmured.

Layla’s smile was strained as she pulled her hand back. Her stomach clenched unpleasantly. “Sir.”

Raina grabbed Layla’s wrist, her fingers pressing unpleasantly into her scent gland. It hurt and sent a shock of strange sensations through her body. She tensed as Raina dragged her closer.

“Goodbye, Garret,” the younger alpha hissed.

Layla was dragged through the crowd toward the house’s immense kitchen. She tried to wiggle her wrist out of Raina’s grasp, but the alpha snarled at her. She jerked back, shielding her face with her free hand, but Raina ignored her once again until she was shoved into a corner near the refrigerator.

“Raina,” Layla whispered, trying not to let anyone overhear. This was not fun. She came to a party, not to be manhandled by alphas.

Raina grumbled, sweeping her gaze over the room, but there was no one close. “He’s an ass. I’ve had security throw him out of here three times this year. Drunk idiot.”

“Raina,” Layla whispered again more forcefully and tugged her arm.

Raina stared at the spot where their skin touched. She dropped Layla’s hand. “Sorry.”

Layla rubbed her thumb across her wrist. The gland ached. “It’s okay,” she said. It wasn’t.

Raina frowned, her sculpted and painted eyebrows furrowing. “I don’t like that guy. He’s always nosing in on the more naive omegas. He should be banned, but the board doesn’t want to anger the Rivers family. I’m going to bring it up again.”

“You don’t need to do that. It’s an alpha house—”

“It doesn’t matter,” Raina said. “I don’t want him here.”

Layla glanced away. Of course, it’s always what an alpha wants. Her eyes landed on a dark-haired man waving wildly at her from behind a large table covered in bottles of alcohol and mixers. Rolland Iverson.

“Layla!” he yelled across the kitchen.

Finally, a friendly beta face. Layla didn’t need to worry about any crazy reactions to wonky hormones from a beta.

“Rolland!” She escaped Raina’s grasp and leaned over the table for a quick hug, taking in the scent of fresh laundry right out of the dryer. He smelled so good, so calming. She had expected to dislike him when they were paired together during a freshman-year class, but he’d been friendly and helpful despite their families’ animosity. Rolland was nothing like his alpha uncle, and Layla couldn’t hold it against him.

Rolland laughed. “I didn’t know you liked these kinds of things.”

Layla scrunched her nose. She wouldn’t say she liked these things, but it was rude to say it aloud. “Why are you here?”

He pointed to the tip jar amid the bottles of booze. “Homeless omega charity. No better way to get good donations than sad, drunk alphas.”

Raina crept up behind Layla and gave Rolland a cool look. “Can’t you just ask your mother? You wouldn’t need to debase yourself with making… cocktails.”

He rolled his eyes. “We aren’t talking. She doesn’t like that I’m interning at your granddad’s firm, but what am I supposed to do? Say no? It’s the premiere equities internship in the country. Mom doesn’t even want to expand past Dad’s clothing line and her Attorney Firm.” He turned to Layla. “I see what you’re wearing, by the way. Chic.”

Layla blushed and looked down at her dress. “Thank you?”

“Well, watch yourself,” Raina said. “Damian Sorreto is a collector.”

He barked a laugh. “I’m aware. Anything to drink?”

Layla looked through the bottles and mixes. “Anything fruity?”

He smiled and pulled a few more bottles from under the table. “Yeah. Lots. Orange, right?”

Layla nodded exuberantly, and her phone buzzed.

Raina made a displeased growl, and Layla jumped, sidling away from her. She’d get through the night with all these alphas and never go out with Helena again. Her heart couldn’t take it. It felt like she was one awkward comment away from a violent fight.

Helena finally caught up with them, leaning on the table toward Rolland, boobs first. “Rolland,” she purred. “Don’t you look handsome?”

Rolland smirked and raised an eyebrow as he made the drinks.

“Don’t do it, Hel. He’s career-oriented,” Raina said, and her phone dinged several times in rapid succession. She looked down with a scowl. “Hang on. I have to take this. He’s using punctuation.” She held the phone to her ear and began to walk away. “For the love of God, do you have to be such a fucking creeper?”

Layla shook her head and turned back to Rolland. “Rolland, this is Helena Wayland. Helena, this is Rolland Iverson. We have classes together. He single-handedly got me through Statistics.”

“Really,” Helena purred.

She really hated how omegas acted when they were surrounded by alphas. Weak and needy. It made her bristle. It felt like it was two steps away from manipulating an alpha into bed and ruining their life — homewrecker in action.

Rolland chuckled. “That’s what she tells me.”

He handed Layla a mixed drink in a plastic red cup. It smelled pleasantly like oranges but tasted like vodka-soaked grapefruit. It would do its job. And that job was to get her happily blitzed.

She took a big gulp.

Helena leaned over the table, pushing her breasts toward Rolland. He looked down appreciatively. “So, Helena, is it?”

Layla blushed and moved away. Helena was friendly with everyone, and Layla didn’t have a monopoly on Rolland. The stab of jealousy through her gut was only because she knew so few people at the party. He was a lovely gentleman, but he wasn’t her boyfriend. Maybe he could be, but she was sure he’d never ask her out. They’d been alone often enough, and he never took the chance. Maybe the animosity between their families stopped him from going that far.

It made her think twice, but there was a lot she’d overlook for a nice beta boy. Her mother would be thrilled, even if her father wasn’t.

Her tummy cramped unpleasantly. Well, there was the period. Right on time, just like she thought. See, no such thing as a heat.

She squeezed her way through the crowd to the bathroom, but the knob didn’t turn. She pressed her ear to the door and grimaced at the sounds of thumps and moans.

“They’ve been in there for like an hour. You have to piss in the bushes.” An omega looked up at her from his seat on the floor. “Holy shit, what’s wrong with you?”

She looked around her, but nothing strange caught her eye. “What?”

“You smell like a cinnamon bun.”

“Thank you?”

“Nah.” He snorted. “It’s like, fucking burnt.”

Layla glared. Omegas could be unnecessarily rude, too.

She looked around the hall, but she didn’t know anyone. Raina had disappeared into the masses, and she felt strangely bereft. She didn’t know why. They hadn’t been real friends in so long. She even missed Eris, the youngest of the Bartlet children, an omega himself. He’d never be at an alpha-hosted party — just like she shouldn’t be.

Layla’s phone buzzed again, and she closed her eyes to resist looking at it.

“Well, well, well,” Garret’s cloyingly smooth voice said way too close to her face. “Look at you hiding all the way back here.”