Beta Complex

Chapter 86: Then Let’s Talk

He hates me, Zander thinks, and while it makes his chest ache, he doesn’t let it phase him. He has one goal in mind, and it’s to get Ethan to talk to him. He doesn’t even care if Ethan cusses him out or hits him. As long as he just talks to him. The alpha does have a lot of explaining to do, after all.

"What are you doing here?" Ethan asks, his eyebrows furrowing. His hands curl over the edge of the podium, his throat bobbing as he swallows.

He’s dressed in a suit and tie, a black apron tied around his waist and Zander can’t help but admire how cute he looks. The alpha resists the urge to reach up and smooth over the wrinkle in his collar, and curls his hands into fists instead. Ethan probably wouldn’t appreciate that.

It’s best not to push his luck no matter how badly he wants to. He’s surprised the beta didn’t kick him out on the spot. Ethan has always been more on the softer side, even to those who didn’t deserve, like Zander. The aloha definitely doesn’t deserve it, that much is clear.

"I came for dinner." The alpha clears his throat, reaching up to smooth over his tie. It’s hard to stay in control. His instincts are screaming at him to bury his face in Ethan’s neck and bite into his skin, to mark him as his for the rest of his life. He takes a deep shuddering breath. He’s lucky to even be able to look at him, if he’s honest.

Ethan purses his lips, "I hope it’s just dinner. I don’t have the time for you."

Zander ignores the sting in his heart, he expected this. It’s only natural. It would be even stranger if Ethan wasn’t affected.

"It’s our busiest day and a very important person is coming today and we can’t mess it up." Ethan continues, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. He glances behind Zander, his frown deepening. "You came alone? What about your fian-"

"Zander!" Roxanne cuts in, rushing toward them with a beaming smile on her aging face. Zander couldn’t be more thankful for her interruption. She’s always had perfect timing.

She’s completely oblivious to her son’s stiff posture, or the awkward air around them. And then Zander wonders if she knows about what happened between them. He glances a look at Ethan, who scowls at the both of them.

Roxanne curls her arm around the Alphas and tugs him towards a private room in the back. The customers already seated glance over, most of them recognizing him and he already knows news of him being here will be all over the internet.

His mother is going to be livid with him, but one problem at a time.

"Welcome, I have your table ready for you. You wouldn’t believe my surprise when your assistant told me you were the one who had invested in us." She rambles.

Ethan’s jaw drops, his brown eyes widening. What? She knew the entire time that Zander was this mysterious investor and she didn’t tell him? Just who’s side is she on?!

"I hope you don’t mind, but I was wondering if Ethan would be my waiter." Zander smiles down at her. She flushes red and giggles, making Ethan roll his eyes. She’s a complete traitor.

"Of course I don’t mind!" She rubs his bicep and then steps back. "Just let him know if you need anything at all." She turns to Ethan, and her smile turns sharp. "Go on."

Ethan bites the inside of his cheek, fuck. This is ridiculous. The beta takes the lead, his hands growing clammy as he shows Zander into the private dining room reserved for him, the investor.

"Was it you this whole time?" Ethan mutters as Zander takes a seat. He has to put his hands behind his back to keep from smacking him. And boy, does he really want to slap the dominant alpha. He has a lot of nerves showing up here. "Why? Why hide it? Why invest at all if you were just going to disappear-" He cuts himself off. He takes a deep breath and scoffs. Because now it sounds like he cares when he does not. Not one bit.

He stopped caring a long time ago, at least that is what he tells himself. But saying and feeling are two separate things, and denial is a strong case.

Zander can’t find it in himself to say anything. He ends up staring, burning a hole into the side of the beta’s face. Cornering him in the alley the other day wasn’t nearly enough, especially with the low lighting.

"Can you sit with me?" He finally manages to get out. Ethan pauses, hating the way his heart skips a beat in his chest. "I’d love it if you could eat with me." He ends in a whisper.

"Why?" Ethan asks. His vision blurs with unshed tears and he quickly blinks them away. There is no way he’ll let this alpha catch him crying. His pride is wounded enough as it is.

"I-" Zander clears his throat, his pointer finger beginning to tap a rhythm on the table. Ethan glances down at his hand, and Zander flattens his palm to stop the tick. "I want to talk."

"You want to talk?" Ethan raises an eyebrow, gaze lifting to purple rimmed irises. "I didn’t know we had anything to talk about."

"Ethan. Please." Zander bites out, and Ethan can hear the shift in his tone. The way his alpha voice slips in and Ethan clenches his jaw. The pressure in the room rises, and he knows that Zander is releasing his pheromones.

Just what the hell did that drug do to him? He knows the doctor said it didn’t change anything, that he’s still a beta. But the last time he was around Zander, this strange new feeling takes over him. It doesn’t make any sense.

"Fine." Ethan bites out. Surely Roxanne will understand if he takes a small break. "You want to talk? Then let’s talk." He pulls out the chair across from Zander and sits down. He rests his elbows and leans forward, his eyes narrowing. "Why did you invest in my mothers restaurant?"

Zander clenches his jaw and scoffs. This is hardly what he wants to speak about, but it’s better than Ethan ignoring him. So he takes what he can get.

"She’s a great cook, and deserves to show off her skills." Zander shrugs. And it’s not a lie. While they’re coffee has always been shit, her food always tasted good.

"You didn’t do it because of me?" Ethan asks, narrowing his pretty brown eyes at him.

Zander smirks, "Did you want it to be because of you?"

Ethan scoffs and pushes to a stand. Why did he think Zander would take this seriously?

"Ethan, wait!" Zander stands with him, his chair falling back with a bang. However, when Ethan doesn’t turn to him, Zander panics. "I imprinted on you!"