"Hey there, Alpha." The voice slithered into his awareness.
Vael looked up. Two women stood before his table. They were beautiful in that particular way that clubs manufactured—artfully tousled hair, lips stained dark, and dresses that promised more than they covered.
They smiled at him with knowing eyes.
"Mind if we keep you company?"
Vael watched them for a long moment. His wolf stirred, restless and unhappy.
"No. This isn't right. This isn't—"
"This is easy."
He gestured to the empty seats.
They slid into the booth on either side of him, their bodies pressing close. One of them leaned in, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered something he didn't bother to hear. The other traced her fingers up his arm, her nails raking lightly across his skin.
He didn't react.
His body was here, but he'd left something else behind. Some essential part of himself that made things matter.
