“No, I need you to find your mate.”
Those were not words I expected from my boss.
“Sir—”
“Most of my guards are already mated, as well as a lot of my other staff. Those that aren’t are still young. But you, Dain, you’re pushing forty. A mate would settle you.”
I was forty-one, but I wasn’t going to correct him. “I didn’t realize I was unsettled.”
Cael shot me a look; his dark eyes would make any of his enemies cower. Lucky for me, I was not an enemy. The glare did nothing. It wasn’t the first time I’d been on the receiving end of it.
“With all due respect, sir, I must decline.”
“Nonsense. I think this will be good for you. And even if you don’t find your mate, you can at least relax and have a good time. When’s the last time you did that?”
“Sir, I don’t think a mate is in the cards for me. The hours I keep are not conducive to a family, and I like my job. I will not be attending this ball.”
Cael smiled. “It’s non-negotiable, Dain. I don’t care if you go there and stand against the wall the entire night. You’ll attend that ball. If a fated mate is meant to find you, they will.”
I sighed. When he was like this, there was no arguing with him. I was no different from Mr. Mauni had been a few moments ago. At Cael’s mercy, ready to cave.
“Of course, sir. I’ll go.” I would hate every minute, and I’d probably bitch about it the entire time. I damned sure wasn’t wearing a tux.
And I most certainly wouldn’t find a mate. That much I could guarantee.
Chapter 2
Nym
I smoothed down the lapel of my secondhand tuxedo jacket. I felt more out of place than a wolf in a wool suit, but I forced myself to stand up straight and keep my eyes up. Preston had made me practice in the mirror, and I wasn’t letting all that hard work go to waste. I had just as much right to be here as anyone else. Never mind the fact that I had no idea why an invitation to a luxurious masquerade ball put on by the famous Bex had arrived at my door.
I had spent so much time simply staring and feeling the luxurious invitation and running my fingers over the gold foil edges, wondering perhaps if it was worth any money. Invitations to these events were exclusive, and mine was personally addressed to me, so I knew it wasn’t a mistake. You couldn’t just sell your tickets when they were made personally to you. You either went or you didn’t, and no one passed up a chance to go to one of Bex’s balls. They were famous in the shifter community. Everyone wanted a chance to go and find their fated mate.
There was a strong possibility I would meet my mate tonight. It seemed crazy to think that my mate might be close by. I hadn’t really put a whole lot of thought into what meeting my mate would look like. I was too busy trying to survive. Even though I was the son of one of the richest men in the world, that didn’t mean I had a lot of anything. I was pretty sure he didn’t know I existed. My mother had kept my identity a secret, and I knew if I tried to reach out to him now, he’d never believe that I only wanted a relationship and not his money.
Money would help, but what I really wanted was a family. Ever since my mom had passed, I only had my friend Preston at my side.
I had heard plenty of times over the years how often people approached my biological dad claiming to be one of his illegitimate children or a long-lost relative or whatever. Sometimes he paid them off. Sometimes they found themselves in jail. I didn’t want to be at the mercy of whatever mood struck him. Besides, life wasn’t so bad. I got by. Mostly. Some weeks I could cover the cost of groceries, and some weeks I skippedmeals. But I worked hard, and that would pay off, eventually. Surely.
Preston and I were working hard at starting our own business. A bakery. Right now, we were just selling baked goods out of our apartment, but someday we’d have a storefront.
Walking into that ballroom, I was not prepared for the number of eyes that landed on me. I knew that being an omega dragon was somewhat of a rare thing—especially one nobody recognized. Most dragons were rich members of high society, and as an omega, alphas might try to catch my attention, perhaps give me a mating mark, simply so they could establish themselves in high society. Joke’s on them. I wasn’t a part of high society. I wasn’t anyone at all.
As soon as I took just a few steps forward, I had alphas lining up, wanting to get their names on my dance card. I politely declined each of them with a smile. Their scent told me they weren’t my mate, and while I was here to have a good time, I was not here to lead anyone on.
I made my way to my table and, thankfully, was placed with a good mix of individuals. I was with three alphas and two other omegas. All from various species. I smiled at the omega next to me.
He held out his hand. “I’m Thomas. Nice to meet you.”
“Nym,” I said.
“A dragon? That’s crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever met a dragon before. Do I know your family?”
I grimaced and shook my head. “No. I mean, maybe, but I don’t know my dad very well…” I wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence or what else to say to a total stranger.
“Oh, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain.” He leaned forward and whispered, “My father is a deadbeat as well. He doesn’t know who I am, and I don’t need him to.”
I grinned, recognizing a kindred spirit when I saw one. “My father is Cael,” I said. Last name not needed. Everyone knew Cael the dragon.
