Page 1 of His Pretty Omega (Sweet Alps Mates #7)

Chapter One

Alex

This wasn’t how I planned to ring in the new year.

When I had booked the New Year’s Eve package special the hotel had been running in the spring, I had hoped to spend tonight with my omega–now my ex-omega. It was the whole reason I was leaning against the hotel bar in Hollow Ridge, several hours from home, on December thirty-first.

But my ex lived here, and when we had seen the advertisement at the salsa club one night, he had begged me to book it with puppy dog eyes.

Whispering in my ear about how romantic it would be to ring in the new year together.

I would be the first to admit I was a sucker for an omega batting their eyes at me .

Snorting, I took another sip of the top shelf whiskey.

I had paid for the premium package at the overpriced hotel, which included a king-size suite, buffet dinner, dancing, and best of all a top-shelf drink package.

Which was coming in extra handy tonight, since I was already on my fourth drink, and just a hair past pleasantly buzzed.

The suite was currently empty, the king-size bed mocking me when I tossed my overnight bag next to it.

My omega was long gone, having decided our long-distance relationship was just too long for him.

Even though I had made the hours-long, one-way trip to see him practically every weekend.

Taking him out to fancy restaurants, dancing, and tons of pampering.

But, unbeknownst to me, River had found an alpha to fill up the other five days of his week. I’d found that out when I had decided to show up to surprise him on a Thursday afternoon, taking a couple of days off from my private law practice in Sweet Alps, where I lived.

It had definitely been a surprise for all of us, including River’s other alpha, who had been under the assumption River worked every weekend when he had been with me.

When I had made it clear I wasn’t interested in sharing, ignoring the temper tantrum River had thrown, I’d left him to his new alpha.

That was six months ago, and to be honest, I had forgotten all about the hotel booking.

Until I received a reminder email a few weeks ago, with all the details for the package I had pre-paid for.

It was too late to cancel and get a refund, and since I had already shelled out more than a few hundred bucks, I decided to have a why not moment and had chosen to enjoy the night, even if I ended up spending it alone.

If nothing else, my booze was paid for, the buffet was excellent, and I had a cushy room to crash in after midnight.

Though, judging by the amount of omegas filling the dance floor, I was hoping I wouldn’t be sleeping in that big bed alone.

The large room was nearly wall-to-wall with gorgeous omegas, dancing and vying for the attention of the single alphas in the room.

Not every omega was there alone, there were plenty of couples enjoying the night.

Even so, I was enjoying watching the single ones on the dance floor.

Dancing was a passion of mine, though I preferred salsa dancing. From the music the D.J. had been playing this evening I doubted I would get a chance to show my salsa moves off, but I still might be able to impress one or two of the omegas tonight.

My eyes kept straying back to one particular omega that had caught my eye. He was absolutely stunning.

From this distance, and in the softly colored lights the D.J.

had turned on to illuminate the dancers, I couldn’t make out what color his eyes were.

But his hair was dark, and artfully styled around his face, accentuating his high cheekbones.

He was wearing an almost indecently short black leather miniskirt, paired with a lilac mesh long sleeved top.

Knee high black boots completed his ensemble, with a chunky heel that added at least two inches to his average omega height of about five foot six.

Even with the heels I would still tower over him.

There was something about him that kept drawing my eyes back to him, as his lithe body shimmied to the beat of the music.

The way he moved, the graceful way he undulated his body, the sheer beauty of his delicate features, had my entire body at attention.

My cock gave a throb inside my black slacks, just as interested as the rest of me was.

The omega didn’t seem to be with an alpha, as he had come in alone.

Yeah, I’d noticed him as soon as he had walked into the fancy ballroom.

He had immediately sought out a few other omegas who seemed on their own also.

The group of them filled their plates at the buffet, bought drinks at the bar–none of them were wearing black wristbands to indicate they had paid for the drink package–and then hit the dance floor as soon as the music had started playing.

Goddess, I had been creeping on him for hours now.

There are laws against that, Alex.

My wolf, restless beneath my skin, huffed at my internalized thought. Not if you don’t act on them. We’re just watching. Nothing wrong with that.

Still creepy .

The omega turned my way, shaking his luscious ass, arms swaying over his head. Catching my eyes, his lips spread into a mischievous grin, that even from across the dance floor I could see.

My heart gave a leap when he started sashaying my way, his walk slow and deliberate, with just the perfect amount of sway to his thin hips. My brown eyes cataloged his features the closer he moved to me, his sparkling eyes never leaving mine.

His eyes were a stunning light blue I saw, rimmed in black that made them pop and long, long lashes.

Glossy, pouty, berry-colored lips were turned up into a hint of a smirk.

High cheekbones that shimmered, and purple, glittery eyeshadow that somehow softened his kohl rimmed eyes, and a straight pert nose completed the package.

There was a mischievous glint in those gorgeous eyes of his, a mysterious slant to his upturned mouth and chin. He made a beeline straight towards where I lounged casually against one corner of the bar, out of the way from most of the traffic.

His eyes never left mine, until he stood in front of me, and I looked down at him, my lips upturned in a small smile.

Without a word, he deftly removed my drink from my hands, and I watched as he brought my glass up to his shiny lips.

He drank the remainder of my whiskey down, and I tried not to show my surprise as he held the expensive alcohol in his mouth for two seconds, before letting it slide down his throat.

“Just help yourself.” I was impressed that there hadn’t been any coughing or sputtering when the whiskey hit his taste buds.

He didn’t look one bit sorry that he had stolen my drink right out of my hands. Or that he had taken a drink from a complete stranger.

“Sorry,” the word was said with a flirty giggle that had my wolf and my cock standing straight up to attention. He fluttered one manicured hand in front of his face, the purple glitter polish on his fingers shining in the low lights, “I was thirsty. And the line at the bar is way too long.”

He was many things, but sorry was most certainly not one of them. Not with that smirk he had plastered on his lips, and that naughty gleam in his wide blue eyes.

My nostrils flared, and the tantalizing scent of fresh baked peach pie wafted around me. He smelled luscious, his scent making me think of summertime and happiness.

This pretty brat was trouble with a capital T.

And I was here for it.

One hundred percent in.

At least for tonight.

“You’re trouble.” I watched as he set the empty glass on the bar’s gleaming wooden surface. He grinned broadly at that, looking quite proud of himself and gave a little shrug with one shoulder .

Then he turned on his heel and called over his shoulder, “You have no idea! Byyyeeee!”

Shaking my head, a huge, goofy smile plastered across my face, I tapped my glass against the bar, catching one of the bartender’s eyes for a refill. They were being extra attentive to all of us wristband wearers, I had noticed, and a fresh drink appeared in front of me in seconds.

Turning to watch the dance floor to keep eyes on the little troublemaker, my body stiffened, and my wolf’s hackles rose.

The pretty little omega who had helped himself to my drink was now dancing between two burly alphas. One ground against his front, the other his back. There was a sea of arms around all of them, hands roaming and touching willy-nilly, until I could barely tell what appendage belonged to who.

No! My wolf growled fiercely, ours! Anger radiated through my body in a quick flash of burning heat.

Downing my fresh whiskey in a single gulp, I slammed the glass back on the bar with more force than necessary, stomping my way onto the dance floor.

Coming up on the trio, the omega– my omega –noticed me first. His eyes widened briefly with a flicker of concern, before a wicked smile tilted those dark, glossy lips of his and his blue eyes sparkled with heat .

A growl rose in the back of my throat, this one from me and not my wolf, and I yanked him from between the two alphas and pulled him flush against my chest.

“Oh!” he breathily gasped, then blinked up at me, his gorgeous eyes looking slightly dazed. Bright spots of color darkened his cheeks, and his nostrils flared slightly, as my alpha pheromones wrapped around the space between us.

The instant we touched, electricity raced up my arms, my skin tingling. The air fairly crackled between us.

Mate! My wolf chanted, mate, mate, mate. Ours!

One of the alphas moved towards me, broad shoulders squared back, anger dilating his eyes. Holding up a palm to halt him, I growled roughly, “Mine!”

The man stopped dead in his tracks, giving his companion a questioning look.

“Mine!” I repeated, punctuating the word with another low, throaty growl.

The other alpha gave a quick shake of his head to his companion, and he held up his hands in a he’s-all-yours gesture. “Didn’t know he belonged to anyone the way he was out here shaking his ass for everyone. Sorry. Keep a better leash on him next time, buddy.”

Another growl emanated from my throat, a warning that I didn’t like how they had just spoken about my omega. My sweet-smelling mate said nothing, just stared up at me with his unblinking, wide eyes .

Goddess, he was pretty! One of the prettiest omegas I had ever seen in my life. And his scent! It was intoxicating! Filling my senses and muddling my mind. My cock ached, hard and throbbing, pushing against my slacks to be released.

“Ten!”

“Nine!”

Suddenly the words being shouted around us penetrated the brain fog I had fallen into, and I blinked slowly. Glancing over his dark head, I realized people were holding their glasses up in the air, ready to toast in the new year.

“Five!”

“Four!”

“Three,” the man in my arms whispered.

“Two,” My voice was rough and raspy, as I bent my head in his direction.

“One,” he tilted his face up, his lips parting in a silent invitation. His lashes swept downwards towards his cheekbones, dusted in some kind of shimmering glitter, as his eyes fluttered closed.

“Happy New Year!”

My lips captured his, tasting the berry flavor of the gloss he used on his lips. His arms wound around my neck, pulling me desperately closer to him. His mouth opened without me nudging, and my tongue swept inside, sliding against his eagerly waiting one .

Around us corks popped. Glasses clinked together. People shouted, and confetti fell to the floor in a cascade of bright colors.

Under my feet, my entire world shifted, breaking me apart and then putting me back together again. Better than I had been before.

Perfection.

Peace.

Home.

Forever.

And I knew with a clarity I had never possessed before what this was.

This cheeky man, who stole drinks from strangers without shame, who teased me with his wicked smile, who was going to bring trouble to my life, was my fated mate.

Mine! My wolf sighed, as if I hadn’t heard him previously growling the word over and over.

Ours , I agreed.