Chatter and crystal wine classes clicking together were the two things that filled the room. The atmosphere was calm and cheery, the music tranquil and relaxing, the air engulfed in expensive perfume and pristine finger foods.

Everyone was enjoying themselves... Well... Maybe not everyone.

Melissa was tired. All she wanted to do was go home and cozy up with a book and Chico, her black cat. She liked him more than she liked anyone in the room.

Melissa always found herself forced to attend her mother's eccentric gathering, where powerful alphas in the Mafia came to talk business with others alike, their omegas having wrapped their arms around one of their own. Lords above, she was getting a headache from the crowd.

As a beta, Melissa had grown to hate the other two second genders. Alphas were too proud, and omegas were simply pushovers. She managed to deal with other betas better. However, Melissa was fond of barely any humans. Maybe her siblings, Augustus and Marie, even if neither was a beta.

At least being one of Theodore Ambrose's children made people avoid her a lot. She supposed that was one good thing from her father being a well-feared and respected Mafia boss. Maybe she felt lonely sometimes, but being lonely was better than a migraine.

Melissa sighed as she sipped her wine, her eyes analyzing the glass once away from her lips. Her mother had a good eye for decoration; at least, she had that going for her.

Her train of thought was interrupted by somebody approaching her. Oh god. Melissa was pretty sure she knew you. From her mother's description as a mafioso's child. Melissa could also remember her father urging her to meet you, to make some kind of alliance with your father. Even as you approached, she couldn't quite tell your second gender. She was a beta; she couldn't quite pick up these things. Not that she cared to.

"Do I know you?" Melissa sighed, a serious look in her eyes. She just hoped you wouldn't make her headache worse.