Disappointed

I wake up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of the motel room. As reality starts to sink in, I let out a sigh. Tomorrow, it's back to the real world, back to work. But for now, I bask in the afterglow of last night's unexpected adventure.

My gaze falls on the dark blue silk tie lying prominently on the pristine white beddings next to me. I can't help but stifle a giggle.

With a burst of energy, I swing my legs off the bed and get to my feet. It's time to pack up and check out of this motel. I gather my belongings, careful not to forget the tie that's now a symbol of our little encounter.

Exiting the motel room, I make my way to the cute little car that was, unwillingly, sponsored by Dorian. A smirk plays on my lips as I think about how I managed to turn the tables on that asshole.

I settle into the driver's seat, the tie carefully placed on the passenger seat beside me. With a satisfied sigh, I start the engine and drive off. The open road stretches ahead of me, and I can't help but feel a sense of freedom and anticipation for what's to come.

As I make my way home, I can't shake the grin from my face. Looking forward to our next encounter.

Little does the giddy Ivan know, a sleek black car follows him as he drives off into the distance. Inside, a bald, imposing man sends a message to someone, his expression unreadable.

Meanwhile, Zander D Vale receives a message from one of his men. A smirk tugs at his lips as he reads the message, knowing exactly what it means. He decides to push through his work for the day, determined to finish enough to earn himself a day or two off. After all, he has a certain little omega on his mind, and he's eager to wrap his arms around him again.

*

The following day, I arrive at work to a flurry of concerned faces.

"Ivan, where were you? We were worried sick!" Jane exclaims, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I had some personal matters to attend to. But I'm here now, everything's fine," I reply, feeling a bit awkward. It's always been a struggle for me to open up and be close with people, especially after everything with Jackson.

Despite having worked at the restaurant for a few months now, I still find it hard to forge genuine friendships with my coworkers. It's not their fault, it's just... me.

After exchanging a few more hellos and apologies with my boss, I change into my work uniform and dive into the day's tasks.

As I attend to customers and take orders, I can't help but feel a sense of exhaustion settling in. Working in customer service again after my impromptu week off feels like a rude awakening. But I push through, determined to get through the day.

During my lunch break, I receive a message that someone is waiting for me out back. My heart leaps with anticipation, hoping it might be the alpha from the club. I try to compose myself as I make my way outside.

The sun is shining brightly, casting dappled shadows across the back of the restaurant. I spot Max or is it Matt standing near the entrance, a warm smile on his face. He waves when he sees me approaching, and I can't help but feel a huge pang of disappointment. It's not the alpha I was hoping for, but Matt is a nice guy.

"Hey Ivan," Max greets me as I approach, his voice friendly and cheerful.

"Oh, hey," I reply with a polite smile, trying to hide my disappointment.

"I heard you weren't feeling well, so I came to check on you," Matt says, his blue eyes filled with concern.

"It's just a false rumor. I had some personal matters to attend to outside of town," I respond, trying to keep the conversation light.

Matt nods understandingly, but there's an eager look in his eyes that I can't quite ignore. He starts chatting about the latest town gossip, the weather, anything to keep the conversation going. I try my best to engage, but my mind keeps wandering back to the alpha from the club.

As we talk, I can't help but notice how earnest Matt is. He's genuinely interested in how I'm doing, asking about my job and my life in the town. I appreciate his kindness, but my heart isn't in it. Not after the encounter I had with the alpha. All my initial plans of settling down with a nice alpha went out the window after meeting him.

The next ten minutes drag on painfully with awkward small talk. Internally, I'm bored out of my mind, but I can't let it show. Matt is sweet and well-intentioned, and I don't want to hurt his feelings.

Eventually, I manage to make an excuse about needing to get back to work and escape the awkward encounter. As I walk back into the restaurant, I can't help but feel a sense of longing for the mysterious alpha who captured my attention.

As I start working, Jane's teasing continues in the background. She's relentless when it comes to Max(I now know his name and will try not to forget), always trying to play matchmaker.

"It was Max, wasn't it?" Jane teases with a knowing smile, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Yeah, just checking in or something," I respond casually, trying to downplay the encounter. But Jane is persistent when it comes to matters of the heart.

"He's so sweet, you're so lucky. Just give him a shot, Ivan. He's literally one of the town's best bachelors," Jane continues, her voice filled with excitement.

I suppress a sigh, knowing this conversation all too well. Jane has been trying to set me up with Max for months now, convinced that we would be a perfect match. But no matter how many times I try to explain that he's not my type, she doesn't seem to get it.

"He's just not my type, Jane. We've had this conversation several times," I respond, hoping to finally put an end to her matchmaking attempts.

"I know, but he's—" Jane continues, but I tune her out. I focus on my work, trying to push thoughts of Max and the mysterious alpha from the club out of my mind. It's going to be a long day.

Max is sweet, there's no denying that. He's charming in his own way, with his gentle smile and kind eyes. He's one of the town's most eligible bachelors, successful and well-liked by everyone. On paper, he's the ideal partner. But there's a spark missing, a connection that I can't force.

I remember the way the mysterious alpha from the club made me feel, the heat that coursed through my veins when he touched me. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before. He was confident, assertive, and exuded a raw magnetism that drew me in completely. It's a stark contrast to Max's gentle nature, and I find myself yearning for that intensity again.

But it's foolish, I remind myself. The alpha was just a fleeting encounter, a moment of passion in the dimly lit club. I can't base my feelings on one night, no matter how unforgettable it was. Besides, I barely know anything about him. He could be a player, a heartbreaker, or worse. I don't care, if I'm being honest if he looks at me like that again, even if he was a serial killer I would die happy.

Lost in my thoughts, I realize that Jane has moved on to another topic of conversation. I force a smile and nod along, but my mind is elsewhere. The memory of the alpha's dark eyes and the desire and possessiveness in his eyes.