Page 2 of His Beast

The sharp scent of smoked birch cuts through the room as the murmur of conversations turn to whispers, everyone glances toward the entrance where a Valla stands, his shoulders slightly hunched as if he believes he didn’t belong here. His wrinkled navy suit implied that it was the only one he owns judging by he fact that it doesn’t fit him very well. Evidence being that the hems of his coat and trousers doesn’t reach his wrists and ankles, while his shoulders and large thighs test the seams of the fabric. His long ash brown hair cascades over his shoulder, creating a curtain to hide the left side of his face, but it’s styled with a light curl to it in an attempt to dress appropriately for the event. He ducks his head and immediately makes a beeline for the bar, the bartender's eyes widening as the Valla attempts to place his order.

I watch him, completely ignoring the Alpha in front of me, as the Valla grabs his beer before locating an empty corner of the room, preferring to hide in the shadows it provides. He doesn’t even glance around the room as he pulls off his jacket, probably keenly aware of the eyes on him, as he drapes it around the back of the chair and placing his bouquet of roses on the table in front of him. I’m not aware that I even moved, a weird feeling in my gut propelling me forward, leaving the Alpha that’s talking to me mid-sentence. While it’s not uncommon for Valla to show up to these events, it is rare, and I realize that he’s the first one of the evening. Typically, if a Valla is mated to a Beta or an Alpha already, they usually send their partners instead to find a mate. Does that mean this Valla is unmated? Or does he just prefer to do things himself?

He must pick up my scent, like warmed spiced honey, as I approach him. His head snapping up, and I stutter in my steps, my breath catching in my throat. Jesus fuck, he’s beautiful. Sage green eyes full of mistrust and apprehension stare back at me, cautiously. His fair face with its striking features are hidden behind a beard of stubble and the curtain of hair that he seems to use like a barrier between us. Long gashes mar his face from the top of his left temple to his nose, some extending past to his right jaw line. They’re old, faded to pink scars that would make anyone think twice about approaching him. What catches my attention, however, is the fresh cut above his right eye and I frown. Someone has hurt him and for some reason, that doesn’t sit right with me.

His eyes never leave my face as I finally stop in front of his table, but before I can say anything, he shakes his head lightly so that his hair covers his face evening more, hiding him from me completely as he mumbles something to his beer. My frown deepens and I reach out, pushing the curtain of hair behind his ear, startling him.

He raises his head to me, surprise in his eyes as his mouth gapes slightly. I can’t help but smile as my hands slide through his soft hair, watching his tendrils curl around my fingers before I look him in the eye.

“Hi.”

The Valla blinks at me, surprise still on his face as he registers that I’m speaking to him. I get the impression that people rarely approach him, let alone speak to him first.

“Hi.” His greeting back comes out almost as a whisper.

“May I sit?” I ask, gesturing to the metal seat beside him.

With large eyes he nods and I nod my thanks, acutely aware of the stares being flashed our way. I take the seat, breathing in his deeply rich scent. I rarely pay any attention to other people's scents, as they can cause headaches if they’re too strong, but this one intrigues me. Reminding me of a bonfire on a warm summer night.

“W-will your Omega be joining us?”

Pulled from my thoughts, I tilt my head in confusion, looking at him as his cheeks turn a light shade of pink.

“My Omega?”

“You smell like honey…with a hint of spice? But there is something else. Black Currant?”

My confusion progresses until I realize that he’s also scenting Alec. I rather liked the fact that he doesn’t seem put off by me having an Omega partner, though he does look a little panicked at the idea of the two of us.

“Alec. He’s mine in the sense that he’s my best friend, but not mine in the way you’re thinking. He didn’t want to come alone tonight so he roped me into it. He’s off flittering around somewhere, a large bouquet of roses in his hands. We’re practically brothers, not lovers.”

“Oh.”

A weird look crosses over the Valla’s face that looks a lot like relief, yet also disappointment. It doesn’t escape my notice that his eyes also drop to my hands, and I raise them slightly in a gesture that showed that I wasn’t holding anything. His frown deepens but he remains silent.

“How did you get the cut on your forehead? Above your right eye.”

His body language stiffens as my question begins, but the tension eases slightly.

“I’m a fighter in a club.”

“Did you win?”

“Knocked him out cold,” he smirks, continuing to talk more to his beer than to me.

“That’s my boy,” I praise, unaware of what I said until his eyes fly to me in shock. I blink for a moment, shocked at my words, before a laugh bubbles up inside me.

He stares at me but then his face softens, stretching into a slight smile as he chuckles with me.

“I’m Quinn.”

“Zayn.”

Reaching out, I shake his hand with a firm shake, his skin warm against mine, biceps bulging slightly. I can feel the callosus and the scabs on his knuckles, a story engraved into his flesh like the scars on his face.

“And what type of mate are you looking for, Zayn?”

“I-I don’t know. I never thought I’d get this far.”