Chapter 18: Wild thoughts

Who gave Zen the right to be angry at him?

Lithe tried to pull away from Zen by removing his warm hand from Lithe's bum.

Uncomfortable now because the alpha was growling at him like he was a naughty child.

"Stop that," said Lithe, trying to sound firm.

"You don't sound convincing kitten," he said but to Lithe's relief Zen's hands stilled by his side.

Zen was going out of his way to make being so close to him almost impossible.

While distracting Lithe with his hot breath against the side of his neck.

For a paired omega, the neck was a sensitive area shared only with their mate.

A normal omega would protect their neck like they would protect their chastity from a rake.

Lithe as a recessive omega normally didn't share this concern.

Since just like normal humans he didn't usually react to the pheromones of alphas or omega.

Tonight was different yet puzzling as his neck actually started to throb.

"I promised Ash that I would come with him tonight…but…I didn't know people would go so far as to perform fellatio and other wanton acts out in the open like this."

Playfully Zen nibbled on Lithe's ears, it felt so good that he forgot all about trying to pull away.

"So, let me get this right, you're saying it's your friend's fault?" Zen laughed, his hard on pressed against his back.

Zen continued to hold Lithe close as they both swayed to the music.

Lighter's were flickering and champagne flutes were being raised, encouraged by the crowd the DJ pulled up the track and it restarted.

Lithe couldn't even hear the words of the song clearly because the noise of the crowd competed with the singer's voice.

It was an infectious slower beat that had Lithe unconsciously moving his waist.

The crowd was pleased if the hoots and whistles were anything to go by it was a favorite of the crowd.

What was it about Lithe that was bringing out his animalistic side?

His inner wolf would have pissed on Lithe if he would allow it but Zen doubted that would have gone over well with his potential mate.

Plus, it was just too plain messy not to mention unhygienic but it worked and would have kept other predators at bay.

So the next best option would be to put visible hickeys all over Lithe's body.

These wild thoughts only added to his frustration because Lithe was such a skittish kitten he would need to move slow and take his time with him.

"Are you and this Ash of yours, lovers?" asked Zen.

It was a wonder Zen held in that question that was bothering him for so long.

Zen's jealousy had been provoked earlier and Zen was still feeling territorial.

"No, we aren't. Not that it's any of your concern," replied Lithe while rolling his eyes and turning around to give the dominant alpha a defiant look.

Satisfied with Lithe's honest answer for now, he decided to let the matter drop and not ruin the remainder of the evening.

This time his gaze wasn't on Lithe's face, it was examining his bum.

Lithe followed the direction of his stare and glanced down at himself, then swallowed hard.

There was nothing Lithe could do about having a wedgie in his skin tight costume.

Now that he was aware of the wedgie Lithe started to feel irritated, perhaps he could go to the men's room and pull it out.

So once more Lithe pulled away from Zen and was successful this time around because he managed to catch Zen off guard.

"Lithe, where are you going?"

Exasperated, he responded, "I'm going to the men's room."

Surely, he wouldn't ask him the reason.

"Wait on me, I know the house like the back of my hand. I can escort you to one that's more private, much faster."

"You'll escort me?" said Lithe quizzically, he hadn't expected to receive that offer from Zen.

Was it just his imagination or was Zen already acting like a boyfriend and if so, why was he secretly thrilled with the idea.

Even though some would say Lithe was fully dressed the costume fit like a second skin.

It left little to the imagination and this made Lithe feel way too vulnerable for words.

Lithe had always been the type to show his emotions on his face.

Even with clothes on, anyone could look and tell by facial expressions and actions that Lithe wasn't comfortable in his own skin.

Forget walking around with his clothes off, Lithe didn't even like to look in the mirror naked.

Ask him about his sexual experiences and he would tell you it was limited.

Lithe had been saving his virginity for an arranged marriage.

They were next door neighbors and grew up together.

Despite being horny teens the furthest they ever went was second base because they were constantly under scrutiny by family and friends.

Still, Lithe had misread the years and thought they were both in love with each other.

He thought wrong.

His ex left him at the altar to elope with a six months pregnant woman that could bear him the alpha son he always talked about getting.

Looking back now he realized that it was just a crush.

It seemed like he hadn't learned his lesson because he came to Allerdyce and spent almost a year pining over Ash in another case of unrequited love.

His parents tried to coerce him into all other kind arrangements for money and power.

The last attempt to force him into a loveless union left Lithe feeling betrayed.

They told him if he walked out that door they would disown him, they weren't lying.

He left Vallance Continent penniless with nothing to his name but the clothes on his back.

The last thing he wanted to do was make the same mistake with Zen.

Zen touched his hand gently since Lithe was staring into space.

It brought him back to reality but Lithe was shocked by what Zen had to say next.

"I'll take you to the bathroom now but you have to listen carefully. Do not touch or drink anything on that floor. Just do your business and get out of the bathroom. Don't engage in conversations with anyone in or out the restroom. Don't speak to anyone and don't let them talk you into removing your mask, nod if you agree?"