Chapter 14
Fendwyr
The blood on my suit had barely dried when I stormed into my office, rage simmering beneath my controlled exterior.
I didn't want to be angry. Not now, but I was.
Gustall stood by the window, exactly where I'd seen him during the firefight. He didn't turn around when I entered, but I could smell his anxiety mixing with that increasingly peculiar scent of his.
"I gave you an order," I said quietly, letting the door close behind me. The calm in my voice was deceptive—we both knew it.
"I needed to see," he replied, still not turning. "I needed to know what kind of—"
"Monster I am?" I finished, crossing the room in swift strides. I gripped his shoulders, forcing him to face me. "And what verdict did you reach, little omega?"
His eyes met mine, defiant despite his fear. "Rodriguez escaped with the necklace, didn't he?"
Clever deflection. Yes, Rodriguez had slipped away during the chaos, taking the necklace with him. The thought made my grip tighten, even though I didn't want to. "That's not what we're discussing."
"Isn't it?" Finally, a tremor in his voice. "Everything is about that necklace now. The violence, the deaths—"
But everything was about the necklace because it was one of the most important things in our lives.
"The deaths of men who would have killed us without hesitation," I corrected. "This isn't a game, Gustall. Rodriguez knows what the necklace can do. He knows about fated mates, about its power to transfer abilities across lifetimes. If he figures out how to use it..."
I really wished Rodriguez didn't know so much, but there was a reason why he was so dangerous. He was smart.
"He could what? Steal this connection we have between us? Our past lives?" There was something else in his scent now—desperation? Fear? No matter what it was, I was going to deal with it.
I studied him closely. He'd been acting strange lately, more emotional, more unpredictable. Under normal circumstances, I would have investigated these changes, but Rodriguez's possession of the necklace demanded my immediate attention.
Then, looking at Gustall's worried face, an idea began to form. There was something I could do.
"No," I said slowly, releasing his shoulders to cup his face. "But he could use it to identify other fated pairs. To control them. Imagine having power over multiple alpha-omega bonds." I let my thumb brush his lower lip. "That's why we need to stop him as soon as possible. It has to be my focus."
His eyes widened. "And you mean we should do it together? But you said—"
"I said I wouldn't risk you in a firefight," I corrected, letting my voice soften. And of course, that remained unchanged. "But there are other ways you could help. Safer ways."
"What do you mean?"
Perfect. He was interested now, his earlier fear forgotten. I smiled, though part of me felt a twinge of... something. Guilt? No, impossible. This was for his own protection, after all.
"Rodriguez has a weakness for omegas," I explained, watching his reaction to gauge what he was thinking. "Especially unmated ones. If he were to hear about a particularly appealing omega showing interest in his protection..."
"You want me to pretend to be unmated?" Gustall stepped back, shock evident on his face. "To let him think—"
"I want you to help me protect what's ours," I growled, pulling him back against me. "Our bond, our future, our past lives—everything that necklace represents." I nuzzled his neck, right where my claiming bite marked him as mine. "You'll be perfectly safe. My men will be watching every moment. And Rodriguez won't be able to resist the opportunity."
I still didn't know if it would work, but it was a good idea.
"To do what? Steal an omega from you?"
"To prove he's more powerful than me." I smiled against his skin. "His pride will make him careless. And when he lets his guard down..."
Gustall shivered in my arms. "You'll kill him."
"Only after we have the necklace." I pulled back to look at him. "But I need you, little omega. Need your help, and I also need you to trust me."
He bit his lip, considering. I could see the conflict in his eyes—his desire to please me warring with his fear of Rodriguez, his need to protect our bond fighting against his horror at the violence he'd witnessed.
"I..." He swallowed hard. "I don't know if I can."
"You can," I assured him, letting my dominance seep into my voice. "You're stronger than you think. Braver." I kissed him then, gentle but possessive. "Let me prove it to you."
When I pulled back, his eyes were glazed, his scent heavy with arousal and that strange sweetness I still couldn't place. "What would I have to do?"
Got him.
"Just be seen in the right places," I explained. "Let the right people notice you. My men will ensure word gets back to Rodriguez." I stroked his cheek. "You won't be in any real danger. I promise."
He nodded slowly, though something like nausea flickered across his face. Probably just anxiety about the plan. I'd have to work on building his confidence. No big deal.
"Trust me," I whispered, kissing him again. "Everything will be fine." It was going to be because of me.
The next three days were an exercise in restraint. Watching Gustall move through securely selected locations, letting himself be seen by Rodriguez's people, was both fascinating and infuriating. My omega played his part to perfection—appearing vulnerable yet desirable, casting furtive glances over his shoulder as if afraid of being followed. In that sense, I was proud of him but still wished that what we were doing didn't have to happen.
Every time another alpha's gaze lingered too long on him, my control threatened to snap. That was the problem. That was what I couldn't control.
"They're taking the bait," Marcus reported, standing in my office while I watched the surveillance feeds. "Rodriguez's men have been asking questions about the unmated omega in their territory."
I nodded, eyes fixed on the screen where Gustall sat alone in a café—one we knew Rodriguez's lieutenant frequented. My omega looked pale today, more tired than usual. That strange sweetness in his scent had only intensified, drawing unwanted attention. I still couldn't help but wonder what exactly was going on with him.
"Boss," Marcus hesitated, not sure how to say what he was thinking. "Are you sure about this? Gustall seems... different lately. Maybe we should—"
"Focus on the plan," I cut him off. Did he think I didn't know what my eyes were seeing? Something moved on the screen—Rodriguez's lieutenant had entered the café. "Get the team in position."
The lieutenant approached Gustall's table, and I had to force myself to remain seated. Every alpha instinct screamed at me to protect what was mine, to tear apart anyone who dared come near him. But this was necessary. This was part of the plan.
"Sir," Jake's voice crackled through my earpiece. "You should know that Rodriguez himself just arrived at the location."
Perfect. Sooner than expected, but perfect nonetheless. Everything was going according to plan, except...
Except Gustall suddenly stood up, swaying slightly. Even through the grainy footage, I could see the color drain from his face. What the hell? Worry surged in me.
"Something's wrong," I growled, already moving. "Get him out of there."
But before my men could react, Rodriguez himself entered the café. He moved with deliberate purpose, heading straight for Gustall. This wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to make direct contact yet. What was happening?
"Boss, we've got movement on all sides," Jake reported urgently. "They're boxing us in. This was a—"
"Trap," I finished, watching as Rodriguez's men emerged from various positions, far more than our intelligence had indicated. They'd known. Somehow, they'd known this was a setup. Fuck. How come I didn't know?
On the screen, Rodriguez reached for Gustall, who tried to step back but stumbled. He was waiting for me to do something, waiting for me to help him.
The lieutenant caught his arm, preventing his escape. I was already running.
"Hold your positions," I ordered my men. "Wait for my signal." I wouldn't risk open warfare with Gustall in the crossfire.
I reached the café's back entrance just as Rodriguez was leading my omega through it, one hand gripping Gustall's upper arm. The necklace hung openly around Rodriguez's neck now, its symbols shifting and gleaming in the dim light.
And then, I was no more than a few feet from Rodriguez and Gustall.
"Quite the elaborate scheme, Fendwyr," Rodriguez called out, pulling Gustall closer as his men formed a barrier between us. He was reveling in my predicament, making me look like a fool, the motherfucker. "Using your own mate as bait? I'm almost impressed by your ruthlessness. I didn't think you had it in you."
Gustall's eyes met mine, wide with fear and something else—guilt? I didn't know.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I got dizzy, I couldn't—"
"Quiet," Rodriguez ordered, though not unkindly. "You know, when I first heard about an unmated omega wandering my territory, I was suspicious. But then I noticed something interesting." He inhaled deeply near Gustall's neck, making my vision go red. "A very particular scent. I couldn't have missed it."
I knew what he was talking about, and I didn't like it.
"Step away from him," I growled, calculating the odds. They weren't very good. Twenty of his men visible, probably more hidden. My team was in position, but Gustall was too close to Rodriguez. One wrong move... I didn't even like thinking about it. I had to be extremely careful. Otherwise, something bad would happen—something I would never forgive myself for.
"You don't even know, do you?" Rodriguez laughed. Whatever he was implying, it couldn't be anything good. "Too focused on this." He touched the necklace with his free hand. "Too blind to see what's right in front of you. Tell me, Fendwyr, when was the last time you really looked at your mate?"
I narrowed my eyes. What the hell was he going on about?
Gustall then made a small, distressed sound, his hand moving to his stomach before dropping. Something clicked in my mind—the changed scent, the fatigue, the dizziness...
No. It couldn't be. I would have known if that was the case.
"The necklace for your mate," Rodriguez offered, his smile knowing. "Though I suppose I should say mates, plural, given the circumstances."
The world seemed to tilt on its axis as understanding dawned. Gustall was...
"Choose before it's too late," Rodriguez continued, producing a knife. "The necklace's power, or your family's future? I'm not you, but to me, it's not such a tough choice."
Time seemed to freeze as I processed everything—Gustall's strange behavior, his hidden illness, the way other alphas had been reacting to him. How had I missed it? How had I been so blind?
I shook my head. I should have seen what was going on right in front of my nose.
The necklace's symbols swirled, promising power and knowledge across lifetimes, and I couldn't even blink. But Gustall... my omega... carrying my child...
My decision was beginning to form in my mind.
"Tick tock, Fendwyr," Rodriguez pressed the knife closer to Gustall's throat. He had a wicked smile on his face. "What's it going to be? Hmm?"
I met Gustall's terrified gaze, saw the truth written in his eyes. He'd been trying to protect our child while I'd been obsessing over the past. I'd used him as bait while he'd been carrying our future.
But it wasn't entirely my fault. He should've told me everything. I would've understood.
"Let him go," I barked. "Let him go, and you can keep the damn necklace."
Rodriguez's smile widened. "Wise choice." He lowered the knife but didn't release Gustall. "Although... perhaps I'll keep both. An omega carrying a powerful alpha's child could be quite valuable. I'm sure you understand. In my position, you would be doing the same thing."
Before he could react, I gave the signal. Gunfire erupted from multiple positions as my hidden snipers took out Rodriguez's outer guard. In the chaos, I moved. I could only hope I was going to be fast enough.
The knife clattered to the ground as I separated Rodriguez from Gustall, shoving my omega behind me. But Rodriguez was already retreating, protected by his remaining men. Even when shit hit the fan for him, he was still planning his every move.
"Another time," he called back, disappearing into the shadows with the necklace still around his neck. Another time? Next time, I'd make sure he regretted everything he had already done.
I wanted to pursue him, to tear the necklace from his dead body, but Gustall's shaking form pressed against my back held me in place. I turned to him, my anger warring with concern.
"We need to talk," I growled, pulling him closer. "About several things, and it's going to take a lot of time."
His hand rested over his stomach, no longer trying to hide the gesture. Finally, he was beginning to understand that doing that was pointless. "I can explain..."
"Yes," I agreed. "You will."