Forget the Moon! - 2. Chapter 2

“Uncle Stan!” Clarissa squealed as soon as they left the temple. “You’re going to let me take Honey to celebrate tonight, right?” The Beta clasped her hands beseechingly and gave Honey’s father the sweetest look she knew. “It’s just a few of us from school. We were going to watch movies, eat too much, and stay up too late. We were going to go over to Hanna Aldrich’s house. Her brother was in the ceremony today and got his stone. There will be bonded Alphas at Hanna’s. I promise to take care of Honey. He needs a break to relax and think about his future and have some time where he’s not cleaning up after half of us and feeding the other half.”

“I like cleaning up the house and feeding everyone,” Honey pointed out.

“Hush, you.” Clarissa made her eyes as big and pitiful as she could, making Honey giggle. “Pleeeeeaaaaase, Uncle Stanley?”

Stanley glanced at his beloved son. When his soulmate had passed away, he’d nearly lost all reason. But their child had become an anchor that tethered him against the treacherous seas of parenting. Honey worked hard to bring warmth and love to their home and, slowly, the ache that his wife had left behind began to mend enough to be tolerable. It had taken Stanley quite a few years to prepare himself to let his precious pumpkin go.

But, as he saw the underlying excitement and joy with which Honey looked at his cousin, he knew that it was time. The amazing pendant that Honey had been granted upon this, his Gifting Day, was proof enough that the gods were looking out for Stanley's son. It was due time to allow him to spread his wings. Stan cleared his throat as he worked past a knot that threatened to form.

“Go. Have fun,” he urged the young Omega as his boy began his first venture into adulthood. “I trust Clarissa to keep you safe.”

“You heard the Alpha! Let’s go have some fun!” Clarissa urged as she all but dragged her cousin with her to join the group of seniors heading out. Once out of earshot, she whispered into Honey’s ear. “We’re doing the sneak out to the last Blood Orchid.”

“We’re doing what?” Honey squeaked.

"Don't worry. I'll be right there with you," She insisted. "You gotta live a little!"

A small and worried pout formed on the blond Omega's face. He didn't entirely understand what could be so fun about sneaking into a club full of vampires. But, Clarissa really did want him to come with her, so he relented.

Before they knew it, they were at the long line that curled around the corner of the Black Orchid. Honey let out a little gasp and stiffened as he clutched Clarissa’s arm a little too tightly when a handsome young vampire immediately approached them.

“I mean no alarm,” the man practically purred. “Entry for two?” When Clarissa nodded, he unclipped the red rope and held it aside for them. “We appreciate first-time patrons at the Blood Orchid,” he continued. “We like to encourage...fresh blood.”

Clarissa fanned herself with the free coupons for drinks that the vampire handed to them. “Mm-hmm, I bet you do,” she teased with a wink before stepping inside with her cousin.

The club had a few expansions recently. More VIP areas were added, and the dance floor was bigger than the year prior, according to the older siblings of some of the seniors that joined the annual sneak out. Adult wolves of all ages were scattered about the club with their mates, some of whom were vampires. Several humans were also in the mix along with a rare foreigner or two.

Clarissa felt a bit weak in the knees when a vampire made "come-hither" eyes at her, but she wasn't about to abandon Honey just for a quickie. She was about to tell her cousin that she was going to head over to the bar to get them drinks when the unmistakable first few flashes thrummed from Honey's pendant.

"Kindred Khonsu!" she gasped.

The Omega felt a tingle go through him, pulling a gasp from his lips. He looked down at the ornate pendant hanging over his heart. It pulsed with a pale, violet light. Honey felt like he’d been struck with a tuning fork. He looked at his cousin with wide eyes.

“Riss? Wh-what…” The breath was stolen from him as the stone pulsed again, demanding, insistent.

“They’re here,” she insisted. “Your mate is here in the club somewhere, at the very least one is! Let’s find out who it is!” She took hold of Honey’s shoulders and gently urged him forward. “Just go where it’s flickering the most,” she instructed in his ear.

“What? No!”

“Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for? Isn’t your inner wolf just as excited?” Clarissa urged. “How lucky that your mate’s actually around here somewhere! Don’t you want to see what they look like?”

“But it’s too soon! And it wasn’t supposed to be like this, in a seedy den of iniquity!”

Clarissa pouted in response until her gaze drifted to the bar. “I know! I think you need a bit of liquid courage!” She suggested. “Plus, we still have to make use of these coupons for free drinks. Come with me,” the young woman insisted as she all but dragged her cousin over to the bar. “A Sex on the Beach for me and an Alabama Slammer for my cousin here,” she ordered as she handed the coupons over to the tender. When the vampire frowned towards the young Omega’s flashing necklace, she retorted. “Yeah yeah, we know it’s flickering. Give him a minute, will ya?”

Honey took a nervous drink. His eyes widened. “It's fruity yummy,” the Omega said in surprise, taking a bigger gulp. “There must not be much alcohol in it to make it taste bad.” Honey closed his eyes and sucked it down, wanting to get what little liquid courage he could get as quickly as possible. When his eyes opened, Clarissa was looking at him with wide eyes. “What is it?” Honey asked and hiccupped. “Oh, pardon me,” he said, covering his mouth.

“Oh, Honey,” Clarissa groaned as she tried not to facepalm. “Are you feeling ok enough to find your mate now?” She asked.

"I don't know," the Omega answered, fiddling with the empty glass in his hands. "I'm not prepared at all. I…I thought I'd have more time with Daddy." Honey looked at his cousin and hiccupped again. "What if he's not okay without me? Who will make sure he remembers to eat? Who will make sure his shirts get hung up instead of folded? They get messed up and wrinkled if they're put in a drawer because he digs through them."

“Having a mate doesn’t mean you never see your parents again,” Clarissa reminded him. “You can go see him as many times as you want. I’m sure he’d love to have a grandkid or two someday, as well, whether you make or adopt them.” She gave him a gentle smile. “If you really don’t want to, we can leave the club right now. Just say the word. You’re more important to me than your mate’s hurt feelings.”

Honey thought about it. His mate was here, somewhere in the building. What would they look like? Would they be tall? Would their eyes be kind? Would they look at Honey and smile with love and affection in their gaze?

Suddenly, Honey needed to know. He needed to see his mate. His heart seemed to pulse in time with the stone laying over it. It was calling to him. Honey stood abruptly, swaying for a moment before setting down his glass. He lifted the pendant, watching its bewitching light.

“Show me,” he whispered, holding it forward.

The light flashed brighter, and Honey took an unsteady step forward. It dimmed, and the Omega moved back hastily, nearly knocking Clarissa over. She steadied him, and he turned, moving again.

Standing near the bar on the other side of the club was Jedrek Xo Ytaro, a tall and bulky man with only one thing on his drunken mind...to charm the woman before him into his bed for the night. His violet eyes held a glint of all the pleasurable things he would do if given the chance.

“So, what do you say?” He practically purred, leaning a little closer to the dark-haired beauty. “I can only promise one night, but I guarantee it’ll be an unforgettable one.”

“It depends,” the brown-eyed vampiress responded with the lift of a dark eyebrow. “Are you only this forward when you’ve had a few drinks in you? How can I be so sure that you’re not all talk and no action, likely to fall asleep after a mere ten minutes?”

Jedrek straightened up to his full height as he ran a hand through his black hair and shot the lovely lady one his sultrier expressions. “Sweetheart, my kind doesn’t boast recklessly,” he rumbled in a low octave that vibrated, a deep sound that carried through without his having to yell. “I deliver. The question is,” he continued as he flashed her a dangerous smile. “If you’re willing to concede to one night only.”

Behind Jedrek, the crowd around the bar parted. He didn't pay attention to the other people; however, focused on the woman before him. Jedrek entirely missed the half-drunk werewolf Omega who walked toward his back, only turning when he felt something touch him between his shoulder blades as the vampiress before him looked past him as though shocked.

“My, my,” the vampiress commented as she peered around Jedrek to look at the blond Omega. “An Omega, huh? Aren’t you the lucky one,” she concluded as she patted Jedrek on the shoulder before walking away.

Jedrek didn’t fully catch everything she said, but he did frown when she just walked away. “Suit yourself,” he grumbled as he turned in place. “Hmm, what’s this?” When he peered down, it was into the face of an angel. Even in the dim lighting of the club, he could tell that the young wolf had hair the color of spun gold. But, those eyes. Tanzanite blue. Rare indeed.

The massive man closed his own eyes as he took in the wolf’s scent. Male. Damn. He generally preferred women over men, not that he hadn’t bedded a man or two in the past. But, beyond that, there was something alluring about the wolf’s scent that enticed Jedrek. He also had the face of a fucking cherub with those sweet pink cheeks and that wide, innocent gaze. When Jedrek opened his violet eyes again, his face shifted into one of pure seduction. “Hello there, little angel. Are you really old enough to be in a place like this?” He asked in his deep voice.

“Yes, he certainly is! Just turned 18!” Clarissa all but squealed. “Look at how big he is! That’s your mate, Honey!” She whispered excitedly into her cousin’s ear.

The Omega could only nod as he looked up and up as he clutched his pendant. His mate had strong, powerful legs encased in leather; wide, muscular shoulders that tapered to a lean waist. Honey wondered if he had abs, like real abs. The man wore a close-fitting, purple shirt opened to show off defined pecs. A velvet cord was laced loosely down from the collar, keeping the fabric from falling open further. Honey was taken with a wild desire to yank that string free and expose his new mate from neck to waist and feel. Would his belly be flat or resemble a cobblestone road. Six pack? Sweet Khonsu, eight pack? It made Honey feel a little light-headed to think of it. It would certainly be nothing like his overly soft middle. The Omega's lips parted as he forced his gaze higher to take in a masculine jaw, shadowed with stubble, and the most arresting eyes Honey had ever seen. They were violet and as deep as the ocean. Honey couldn't look away.

It took conscious effort for Jed not to lick his lips as he gazed at the nicely rounded young wolf. What the hell? He smelled divine, looked heavenly, and seemed to be as affected by Jedrek as he was of him...fuck the vampiress. The large man leaned down to purr into the wolf’s ear. “What’s your name, little angel?” He asked.

The Omega nearly shuddered, clenching his hands to keep from grabbing the sensual man in front of him. How was this his mate? He owed Khonsu some serious thank you prayers.

“Honey,” the blond wolf said, more a moan than anything else.

At first, Jedrek thought that the wolf was already calling him a term of endearment. But then he realized that it was actually the younger man’s real name. “Honey?” He affirmed. “Mine’s Jedrek.” He responded as he slipped a large arm around the Omega’s waist. “Would you like to go somewhere a bit more private? My place, perhaps?”

“You’ll take me home? To your home?” Honey was nearly boneless in the man’s strong arms, dizzy and nearly swooning with his new mate’s closeness, his touch. And he wanted to take him to see the place that they would share in their new life together. “Oh, yes, please.” Honey frowned. “But my cousin, I don’t want to leave her alone with no one to look after her.”

“Cousin?” Jedrek wondered aloud.

"That would be me!" Clarissa announced loudly enough to be heard. "Honey, go on ahead with your mate. Just call me later on your cell, and I can come pick you up."

Mate? Jedrek didn’t do “mates” or any other kind of relationship that dragged on for more than 24 hours. “You heard her, just call her later to pick you up,” Jed agreed. “What do you say, little angel? Want to come home with me tonight?”

“Are you sure, Rissa?” Honey forced himself to pull his focus from the man holding him. Dear Khonsu, his biceps…The Omega gave the one under his palm a little squeeze. Focus. “I don’t want to leave you here alone. What if someone tries to take advantage of you?” Honey’s voice lowered. “Someone could put something in your drink and kidnap you!”

Clarissa snorted. "Honey, I'm a beta, I'm no pushover," she reminded with a flash of her teeth. "The whole graduating class is still here. I'm not alone. Besides, I've been making eyes at a vampire since we first stepped in here and am oh-so-eager to dance with him," she added. "I don't plan to drink anything else. Free is my limit."

Jedrek lifted the blond’s chin to lock eyes with him. “She’ll be just fine,” he assured. A part of him briefly wondered why he was going out of his way to seduce another man, albeit a beautiful one. But, his inner beast all but demanded that he taste him. “Now, won’t you come with me, Honey?”

“Ohh, yeah,” the Omega said dreamily, not sure if he was drunk from whatever the bartender had given him or his mate’s scent. The man was generally intoxicating. He’d have to warn Nana before Jedrek visited or the shock of such a hot man might make her poor heart give out. Honey would also remember to warn his mate about Nana’s occasionally grabby hands. The delivery men knew to give her a wide berth when dropping off packages, no matter how many cookies she might promise.

The older man couldn’t help but grin. He kept his arm around the wolf’s waist and began to lead him out of the club. As they walked past the vampiress he had tried to seduce earlier, she gave him a thumbs-up, which utterly confused him for a moment. He paused by the entrance until they retrieved his jacket and he immediately draped it over the blond’s shoulders.

“The temperature’s dropped,” Jedrek warned, having felt the shift in the air. His kind was quite sensitive to temperature changes, and their bodies adjusted to those changes almost immediately.

“Mmm, thank you.” Honey’s eyelids fluttered as he drew in the warmth and scent surrounding him. Spice and clean male musk. It was heady stuff. The Omega wanted to lay on the jacket and roll on it, or better yet, Jedrek himself. Wallowing in that scent, covering himself with it, seemed like a rapturous idea. The young wolf hardly noticed the nipping chill as he was herded outside.

A vampire staff-member already had a taxi ready for them. After they got into the back and Jed gave the driver the address, he whispered into Honey’s ear. “I live only ten minutes away by car,” he admitted. “You can text your cousin the address if you’d like.” The larger man owned a Maybach Exelero. But, the drinks he had consumed were dangerous to other species, and he wouldn't risk so much as a scratch on that beautiful dark-violet car.

“It’s okay. I’m with you,” Honey said breathlessly, leaning into his wonderful new mate. So warm, almost hot. Jedrek felt so good next to him.

When they arrived, Jedrek paid the fare and led Honey into a very luxurious house. The bed was immense, not that Jed made frequent use of that much space. He couldn’t remember the last time he had the energy for anything beyond a threesome. Was he getting old? Twenty-six could hardly be called old, could it?

“Well then, little angel,” he purred as he took hold of the young man’s round face in both his hands. “Would you allow me a kiss?”