Chapter 8

As expected Rachel was adamant on attending the first party of the year in the frat. Or first party according to her. Allie only went along because she had nothing better to do on a Friday night sadly. Her friend, Ashton, had insisted she come as well.

The frat house they entered was fucking massive, in her opinion. She couldn't help but stare at the squeaky clean floors and rooms with high ceilings, expensive wallpapers, leather couches. Assuming it was boys, mostly Alphas living inside they would be precisely opposite but surprisingly it was neat.

Her friend had a bright grin on her face, and excitement radiated off her as she took Allie by the wrist to stir her through the crowds. Rachel seemed at ease, right at home in this kind of environment.

"Let's find the kitchen, I need a drink," She exclaimed, her voice raised so Allie could hear her over the pounding music that was resounding throughout the house. When their eyes met, the omega nodded in approval.

They simply followed the throng of people with empty cups, certain that they were about to make their way to the kitchen to get a refill. Of course, once in the modernly furnished and equipped room, they had to wait around for a large group of girls in crop tops and mini skirts to mix something up that involved lots of vodkas and clear out before they got some space at a counter. Bottles of the most varied alcohol Allie had ever seen in one place were spread out and honestly; she had no idea what to do with them.

"This is amazing," Rachel whistled lowly, her eyes wide and glimmering with joy and hands already reaching for a handful of differently coloured bottles.

Just then they noticed Chris walking in the kitchen with a dopey smile on his face. The minute he spotted them, his smile only widened. He rushed to greet them. "Good evening, ladies."

Allie nodded at him. He was not Nate, so she had no problem talking to him.

"Hi, Chris" Rachel's smile widened, her cheeks pink. It was evident that she fancied him.

"So glad you could come."

"Really?"

Allie tried to smother her smile at the interaction. They were cute. She got to hand them that.

Chris nodded his head. "Yeah. Don't worry; I can make you both my special drink. Just wait and see, it'll blow your mind."

"So have you seen Ashton anywhere? He was supposed to wait for us in the living room" Allie questioned, amused by Chris evident delight at the assortment of booze available. The omega wasn't even sure if he took notice of her words, already too absorbed in his process of pouring generous amounts of heavy-smelling liquid into two cups.

Chris looked up, handing the drinks he made. "Oh, he's playing beer pong. I'll take you both to him"

"Thanks" Rachel beamed at him.

***

"How drunk are you?" Allie asked instantly upon noticing Ashton's glassy eyes and ruffled hair.

"Not drunk enough to lose this game" He grinned at her, his cheeks bright red and sweaty under the lights. Frankly, she never understood the concept of drinking games, but they were fun.

"Okay, good luck then!" Allie patted his shoulder.

"No! You have to join me beat them" Ashton tilted his head towards Nate and some other guy standing with him.

"But why? You already have your team."

"Which is losing in case you haven't noticed" Ashton slurred.

Allie noticed the score, and it was true. Two more plays and they could quickly lose.

"Please. I'll owe you a huge one" The earnestness with which he said it made her chuckle, although she couldn't know she was quite convinced by the words.

"Are you quite done?" A bored voice rumbled from across the table. Her gaze snapped up jerkily. Of course, its Nate, with crossed arms and furrowed brows. "It's just if you don't mind; maybe we could start this game sometime this year, you know?"

"And it talks!" Allie breathed out, only for Ashton to hear, who, naturally, laughed not so subtly.

"Is there something you have to say to me, baby?" Nate raised his brow at her.

She gagged at the use of baby. "Not at all. Let's just get started so we can finish sometime this year, yeah?" The omega replied sweetly, smile strained and utterly fake as she met his eyes for another second.

"Let's start then."

***

"Ooh, another point!" Nate said calmly, a twisted smirk on his plush lips. He was so gorgeous — too bad his personality wasn't worth shit. Not that it would make any difference for Allie.

"Also, you have to drink for violating the rules."

In her defence, she only threw her ball on his face because he wouldn't shut up and stop calling her baby. It was distracting. And if that was his tactic, then it certainly seemed to be working.

Chris hummed from the corner. "He's right, Allie. You get a penalty for throwing the ball at other players."

The omega just shrugged and emptied the cup closest to her with a few large swigs, because what else was she supposed to do?

"Now, I think it's my turn" Nate lazily continued.

Allie internally sighed. Why couldn't the Alpha just use this opportunity and let it go? They were in the lead. Still, they played on, Allie emptying every cup Nate hit and she felt woozier from each one. It didn't go as planned at all, the alcohol getting to her head rapidly, leaving pretty much completely drunk by the time Nate won.

***

The omega couldn't stand more of his gloating, not when her head was spinning. So she tried to find the nearest bathroom. Once inside, Allie leaned against the cold tile when the door flew open so unexpectedly that she nearly jumped out of her skin. Her eyes snapped open in shock as the back of her head collided with the wall behind her with a heavy thump.

"Shit" She whined, tears springing to her eyes from the nasty impact, pain radiating through her body. For a moment, Allie felt totally out of it. "Fucking hell" She added eventually, for good measure, raising a hand to touch the spot where the omega hit, glad when there was no bloody wound because that would have sucked.

"Are you okay?" A familiar voice asked though she didn't bother to look at the person.

Suddenly, that familiar person was in front of her, leaning down. A face appeared before her. A pretty face, framed by chocolatey curls. She swallowed heavily, put out. This couldn't be happening. Like, what were the odds?

"Are you okay? Please talk to me. Say something" Maybe the omega was concussed, because to her ears Nates voice didn't sound half as annoying as it usually does when they speak.

"Go away, I am fine," She said weakly, a pout forming on her lips. This situation was a joke.

Nate shook his head, his hand still by her side. "Do you need to go to the hospital? We have a clinic nearby for our team. I'm sure he can make an exception."

She scrunched up her nose in displeasure. Hospitals were the worst. They would detect her Omega status in a matter of minutes, and that would destroy everything. "Stop talking. Leave me alone," She demanded, as insistently as she managed.

"How drunk even are you? You only had, like, seven cups of beer. Betas can hold more than that" Nate eyes were squinty, pupils wide and his irises were barely discernible as he narrowed his eyes.

Oh, fuck! Now he's going to figure out. She had to think of something quick.

"Chris...he mixed us some drinks. There was a lot of booze in that," She explained, hoping that was enough to get him off her back. Nate should just stick to his own damn business.

"Oh, his drinks are worst. Watch out for worst hangover tomorrow" The Alpha chuckled.

She faced him again, "Please shut up. And go"

Opening his mouth, he was ready to deliver some witty line, but instead took a large step forward, grabbed her wrist and pulled her from the room unceremoniously. She was a split-second away from screaming for help, which would have been the natural reaction of every Omega upon being hauled away by an Alpha against their will. She had to bite her tongue harshly to quash her basic instinct.

"Where are you taking me?" Allie managed to squeak out after a beat.

The Alpha was pulling her towards the staircase, leading the omega down roughly, impatiently. He took the time to steady her, though, when she stumbled and missed a step. Which, that was nice, probably.

At the foot of the stairs, Nate stopped abruptly, which resulted in her crashing into him, face first. "You need to lay down before you get hurt. I'm taking you back to your place."

Oh. Allie made a face. That's unexpected.

***