Billy shrugged. “I know of him. That’s Morgan. His parents own the restaurant, and they encourage him to work here in the hopes his alpha might come in as a customer. We were friends at school, but then…” He trailed off, scratching the side of his head. “My friends did explain to you I was kicked out of home when I was eighteen, didn’t they?”
They must’ve done, or at least Billy assumed so, because Cord never asked to speak to his parents. It was Cece who had arranged his date.
“They didn’t give any details, beyond telling me how proud they are of you supporting yourself.” Cord’s arm nudged against Billy’s shoulder. “It’s not important to me unless you want to talk about it.”
“There’s not a lot to say. But that’s the reason why Morgan is glaring at me. He considers me an…” Billy struggled to find the right word. “Unfit, I suppose you could call it. He thinks there’s something wrong with me as an omega, so he would never approve of my being on a date with anyone, especially an alpha as fine as you.” He sighed. “Cece must’ve forgotten he worked here, otherwise he never would’ve suggested this place for our first date. I’m sorry if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“Actually Cece suggested a place called Bojangles.” Cord’s arm was now resting over the back of Billy’s chair. Billy leaned back a little, hoping no one else would notice. “It was Tristan who said this place would make you feel more comfortable.”
Billy groaned as he nodded. “I can see Tristan’s point. I went on one threesome date type thing with Cece, Tristan, and threealphas. You can get the picture. I was only there to make up the numbers, and the alpha barely spoke to me. But that was at Bojangles, and I only ordered a bowl of soup, the food was so expensive. The waiters there looked at me as if I was a piece of discarded gum on their highly priced shoes. This is a small town. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.”
“Well, it appears Morgan is going to be taking our order,” Cord said quietly. “Would you mind if I handled it, please?”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t mind.” Billy reached forward, pouring himself a glass of water before sitting back. Cord’s arm was warm and strong against his back, and Billy decided to savor the feeling. If his life experience had taught him one thing, it was that his happy times could be cut short at any moment.
Chapter Eight
Morgan was the type of omega that made Cord grind his teeth. He was beautiful, he knew it, and he flaunted those looks to anyone who was watching. In Cord’s opinion, it was omegas like Morgan who relied on their looks because their personality was sadly lacking.
As was evidenced when Morgan sidled up to his side of the table, eying him coyly from under his bangs. “A new alpha in town, how delicious. Feel free to have a sniff in my direction.”
“You’re the server, yes?” Cord indicated Morgan’s apron and note pad. “Can you take an order for me and my date please?”
“You’re feeding that one first?” Morgan’s laughter had a solid, cruel edge. “That must be a step up for you, Billy. Word on the street is you’ll give away alpha favors for a cup of coffee.”
Billy’s gasp was filled with pain, and Cord’s wolf was ready to strike. It was only due to his years of training that he managed to say between gritted teeth, “Would you care to explain that insulting statement?”
Morgan didn’t appear to be fazed. If anything, his butt wiggled, and he seemed almost happy with the attention. “Of course, you wouldn’t know, being new in town. Clearly, Billy knows this and has taken advantage of your good nature. But I’ll bet you the price of your meal, you didn’t make this ‘date,’ as you call it, through Billy’s parents.”
He leaned even closer, making Cord want to curl his lip. “They threw him out of the house, you know. His poor alpha mother was distraught, but what could she do when Billy was running wild and not following her guidance? And I mean, how else could Billy be caring for himself now when he hasn’t had his parents in his life for years? He has to be playing for alpha favors.”
It was Billy’s sob that caught Cord’s attention, and he pressed his hand more firmly on his mate’s shoulder. While he hated Billy had to hear the shit coming out of the smug omega’s mouth, he could not risk his mate running away from him because his wolf would go ballistic.
And to make it worse, Morgan still wouldn’t shut up. “Honestly, alpha, you’d be better to pick your companions with a bit more care. Being seen with Billy in town could seriously dent your chances with a decent omega when you find one that catches your sexy eye. You don’t want your reputation to suffer.”
“Could I speak to your father, please? I assume he’s here.” Cord was hanging onto his temper by a thread.
“Of course, alpha.” Morgan did a little bob. “But if it’s about dating me, please don’t worry about asking for formal permission. My parents keep an excellent eye on me here, and if you’re worried about getting rid of Billy, don’t be. Just tell the little reject to go. I would do it myself, but I refuse to associate with him in any way. I have my standards.”
“Get your father, now!”
“Yes, alpha. I’ll get him now.” Morgan ran off.
“You should just let me go.” Tears were pouring down Billy’s face. “How dare he… he… alpha favors? I’ve spent five years completely supporting myself.”
“It’s okay,” Cord soothed, or at least he tried to, but it was difficult because his temper and wolf were just under his skin. “I could smell he was lying. Trust me for one moment, please, my mate,” he added as Morgan came scuttling back, an older version of himself beside him.
“You wanted to see me, alpha?” The man leaned forward and held out his hand. “My name is Rufus Paradox. This is my establishment.” He flicked a glance between Cord and Billywhen Cord refused to take his hand. “Has Billy been causing a problem here?”
“The name is Cord, friend and teammate of Bullet,” Cord stood up and flexed his shoulders. “Verified and vouched for by Tristan’s brother, Anthony, and Cece’s parents, seeing as both young men are here this afternoon in their capacity as Billy’s chaperone. Would you like to explain to me how you can let your son get away with insulting your customers?”
“Morgan? He’s a decent young man,” Rufus protested. “If he’s said anything out of order, then of course, I apologize, but I can hardly see how anything he might say could cause offense.”
“Then why is my mate crying?”
“Billy? Your date? I swear, I have no idea, but I am confident his upset has nothing to do with my Morgan. Morgan has been raised right, whereas Billy… well, let’s just say if I’d known he was coming here this afternoon, I would have had a quiet word in your ear about it.”
“Are you hard of hearing?” Cord growled, his lip curling for real this time. “I said Billy is my MATE, and this thing you’ve got hiding behind your shoulder has basically called him a hooker, lied about Billy sustaining himself giving out alpha favors for the price of a coffee, and warned me that my reputation – the one I earned keeping scum like your son safe at nights - would be negatively impacted if I was seen with him. Explain that.”
