CHAPTER 32: HEY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

A four piece orchestra sits up on an elevated dias, the music a lovely background noise among the chattering guests. The musicians are probably the only thing lovely about the night, as everything else so far has been nothing but unpleasant. If Zander wasn’t required to be here, he would have never shown up. He could be doing something productive right now, like finalizing the investment draft, or visiting a certain aloof beta.

Tap, tap, tap.

Zander purses his lips, his green eyes dark as he glares at the long haired omega that stands across the other side of the bustling ball room. As if he can feel that hatred rolling off of him, Chris tries his best to avoid going anywhere near him.

The dominant alpha knew that Christopher Florence would be at this party thrown for some important old man celebrating his birthday, but that doesn’t mean he has to be happy about it. If Zander could, he would’ve tossed the runt out of the door.

"Stop glaring at him, you’re making it onvious." Beau mutters from his seat next to him. He reaches up to smooth out his styled red hair when a curl comes loose.

Zander clears his throat and turns his attention to the third alpha at their small table. He doesn’t know why Max decided to sit with them. Maybe because he’d rather sit with his cousin Beau than mingle with the rest of the patrons. He doesn’t blame him in the least. Over half the guests invited are old and established names, snubbing the rest of the ones who climbed their way to the top with blood and sweat. The three of them happen to be in the latter category. Not that his parents seem to care as the try to network the crowd.

Max hasn’t looked away from his cellphone, his thumb pressing against his lip.

"What are you doing?" Zander asks. He’s not really curious, but if he doesn’t distract himself with something, he’ll just go back to glaring at Chris. And if he continues to do that, he’ll just piss himself off even more and probably do something he’ll regret. Just because they’ve settled their business, doesn’t mean he can’t still dislike him. And Zander very much dislikes him.

"Huh?" Max glances up, "Oh, nothing." He glances back down at his phone. Zander frowns and exchanges a look with Beau, who only shrugs. The red head picks up his flute of champagne, his hazel eyes scanning the room.

Zander blows out a puff of air, being here is so boring. He pushes up from his chair and walks around so he’s standing behind Max. He looks over the alphas shoulder to peek at his phone screen and his eyes widen.

"Where the hell did you get that?" Zander snatches his phone from him and holds it close to his face as he takes in the photo. He zooms in on Ethan’s face and outfit, drinking him all in. He’s wearing a maid dress. Why the hell is he wearing that? And why the hell didn’t he know about it?

"Damn it, give it back." Max bites out between his clenched teeth. He stands up from the table, his fingers curling into fists. He’d really rather not start a scene. He’s already disliked enough by the people here for being a self-made rich man, he doesn’t want to make it worse.

"How did you get this?" Zander demands.

Beau glances between them, not knowing what’s going on. "Anyone want to fill me in?"

The alpha is ignored.

"Leo sent it to me," Max admits. He holds his hand out to Zander, "Now, give it back before I slam my fist into your gut."

Zander curls his upper lip at him but holds the phone out. However, before Max can take it, he moves it out of his reach. "Send it to me."

Max clenches his jaw, "No, Leo’s in it. You a pervert or something?"

"Says the one who has the picture." Zander rolls his eyes, and finally gives it back. Max quickly locks the screen and slumps back into his chair.

"Crop him out then." Zander scoffs as he picks up his glass of wine. He swirls the liquid inside and then takes a sip. "I only want Ethan anyway."

Beau frowns, "Am I the only single one here?"

Zander pulls out his phone as soon as he gets the picture. It’s cropped so Ethan is the only one he can see. The beta’s hair is styled neatly and he’s disappointed that he couldn’t see it in person. He would’ve loved to run his hands through it. The collar of the dress is unbuttoned, revealing the sharpness of his collar bone. A notification pops up and he’s surprised to see that it’s Ethan.

Our special promotion will be on Friday evening. Since you came up with the idea, you should stop by. My mom will give you a free meal.

Zander rereads the text. Then he leans over and shows it to Beau, "Hey what does this mean?" The red headed alpha squints at the screen.

"You’re getting free food." Beau shrugs, "So what?"

"No, I mean." The dominant alpha sighs in frustration, and pulls his phone back. He leaves it on the table so he can explain, "I kissed him and told him to think about it. And then he sends me this. Does that mean he accepted me?"

"No. It means youre getting free food." Beau chuckles. Zander frowns and glances down at his phone. Is that really it?

Max snorts, "You got rejected by a beta?" He rubs the tip of his nose and smirks, "I guess dominant alphas really aren’t all that. Not surprising, though. Ethan has more smarts than to date someone like you."

Zander scowls at him, "What would you know about Ethan?"

"Clearly a lot more than you do." Max raises an eyebrow at him. "I’ve known him longer than you have, though not on a personal level. Yet even I can see that he’s goal oriented. You think he has time to be thinking about romance right now?"