Beta Complex-Chapter 56: The Alpha He’s Been Thinking About

Chapter 56: The Alpha He’s Been Thinking About
Ethan reaches up to adjust his black tie as he follows closely behind his mother. The auditorium at the SU auditorium is full, bustling with parents and friends alike as they navigate to their seating spot. With foldable seats lining the walkway, Ethan and Roxanne sit in the second row, a decent place that’s relatively close to the walking platform set up.
Roxanne tucks the skirt of her dress beneath her as she sits, tugging Ethan’s hand so he takes the spot next to her. Ethan rubs the length of his dress shirt collar, feeling stuffy in the one size two small tux. He’s had the suit since he was a senior in high school, that he bought for his graduation. Now that he’s twenty-two however, he thinks it’s time he buys a new one. He glances at his mother as she scans the other people in the growing crowd. He should definitely get her a new dress as well. The one she wears is the same one she wore when Zander took them to dinner.
The beta shifts in his seat as his train of thought drifts to the dominant alpha. He hasn’t seen him in a few days, and while Ethan has the option to text him, he can never find the courage to. Confronting him is a lot more intimidating than it was confronting Chris. Not because Chris is an omega, but because Ethan has been more intimate with Zander. The alpha may have been some random guy he helped in an alley, but he’s not just that anymore.
Pushing the man out of his thoughts, Ethan notices that the seat next to him is empty. Did Leo ever give his last ticket to anyone? Just as he thinks it, a large figure comes up beside him. He turns around and his eyes widen when he sees the alpha he’s been thinking about for days.
Zander stands there, his frame large compared to everyone else in the auditorium, and drawing attention. His grey suit is free of wrinkles, a tie missing from around his neck, yet it doesn’t deter from his look of professionalism. His large hands are tucked into his pockets, a stoic expression on his handsome face. His green eyes flare at the sight of Ethan, the purple ring around his iris giving way to his dominant trait.
The smell of his laundry detergent fills Ethan’s senses, and the beta has to resist pushing his nose into the fabric of Zander’s clothes to get a deeper whiff. Leo gave the last ticket to him? Why didn’t he tell him? Then again, Ethan didn’t tell Leo about what happened between them.
"You-" Before Ethan can continue, the lights in the large auditorium turn off and for a short moment, there’s nothing but darkness. There’s a shuffle beside him, and he feels Zander’s warmth radiate into him as he takes the seat beside him. Then the spot lights on the ceilings turn on and focus on the stage platform. The buzz in the crowd goes quiet as they all focus on the show that is about to begin.
Ethan takes a deep breath, saving the smell of fresh laundry. He glances to the side, where Zander sits as stiff as a board, his hands in his lap as he stares ahead of him. If he feels the beta looking at him, he doesn’t show it. Ethan bites his lip, trapping his words inside his mouth. He’ll talk to him after the fashion show is finished.
Professor Mondes comes onto the stage, a microphone in his hand. He’s dressed just as extravagantly as everyone else in the room, a top hat on his head with a feather sticking out. "I’m happy to see we have a full house." He smiles broadly at the crowd as they clap for him. When it settles down he continues. "Thank you all for coming. This is their midterm project, so there’s no set theme for their designs. I hope you all enjoy what my students have created."
He steps off of the stage and picks up a clip board before he takes a seat in the front row. Music begins to play from the speakers that have been set up around the platform and the first model walks out. She adorns a light blue dress with frills and sequins.
Ethan tries his best to focus on the show, he really does. With Zander seated inches away from him and the smell of his freshly pressed suit, the task grows difficult. The betas pinky finger twitches on his thigh. All he wants to do is turn to face the alpha, apologize for his misunderstanding, and ask for his forgiveness. Would Zander even accept it? Ethan called him a two-timer without even asking for an explanation.
He gives a side glance over at him, noticing Zander’s stiff shoulders and the way his finger raps against his leg. It’s almost like he can’t stand to sit beside him. Ethan bites the inside of his cheek as his leg begins to bounce.
Roxanne puts a palm on his bouncing knee, drawing Ethan’s attention to her. She frowns at him, concern obvious in her gaze. He gives a reassuring smile and stills his leg.
It’s fine, Ethan thinks to himself. Zander is here, and he will just talk to him after. If the alpha doesn’t accept his apology, then that’s all there is to it. There’s no need to be so nervous about it. Redirecting his attention to the models on stage, he perks up when Max comes out.
The alpha is beaming as he struts down the walkway, his hands in the pockets of his navy slacks. The whole room perks up at the sight of him, as if the whole collective is holding their breath. Max is a well known socialite, so there’s no doubt everyone recognizes him for who he is.
Ethan can’t help but smile at the suit he wears. It’s navy blue, the lace around the hem of his sleeves stand out, drawing focus to the delicate detail. His tie is made of silk, with what looks like some kind of tree nut, and fallen castanea tree leaves. The cuff links glimmer under the light, and his shoes are leather with navy shoe laces.
Max poses at the end of the walkway, the fabric shifting over his defined muscles.