Chapter 3
Fenrir found himself blindfolded with his wrists shackled together as he waited for the alpha who’d won his heat. The annoying beta in charge of watching them had practically whisked him off the stage in front of the entire audience, forcing the announcer to apologize for the sudden disruption.
When he’d questioned the why of it, he’d been told to shut up.
By a fucking beta bitch.
He didn’t have anything against betas, but this one was every bit as owned by the Wardrobe as he was. He didn’t have a right to—
“What’s gotten you so angry, precious?” a smooth voice interrupted Fenrir’s thoughts, and he tipped his head in its direction. “Yes, I’m talking to you, omega.”
Unable to see who it was, Fenrir licked his lips and composed himself. “It’s nothing.”
He’d been blindfolded before being ordered up the stairs, but he’d visited the building with Michelle enough times to know the layout well enough to have realized he’d been brought to one of the small bedrooms. After being told to stand there, he’d been left alone for a bit.
“Don’t like waiting?” the voice asked.
“It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?”
Fenrir shook his head, shoulders pulling back slightly when his chin was grasped firmly.
“I suppose I didn’t buy your honesty,” the statement was murmured contemplatively. “What would that cost, I wonder.”
The scent of the alpha crowding him hit him all at once, and he sniffed at the air, unable to stop himself. He’d smelled millions of people, alphas and omegas alike, and no one had ever smelled this…tantalizing before.
Maybe this really wouldn’t be so bad. If his smell was this erotic, surely the rest of this evening would be worth the experience as well.
Worth degrading himself and presenting his ass to another, like a submissive omega would.
“It’s a pity to cover those burning eyes of yours, but there’s a bit of fun to be had in blocking out certain senses, don’t you agree?
” A thumb brushed teasingly across Fen’s bottom lip, pressing just enough to have him opening so that digit could momentarily ghost over his tongue.
“I liked the way you glared at me though, so defiantly. Unrestricted. Tell me, are you glaring now behind that strip of cloth?”
Shit. Fenrir had a hunch the speaker was the alpha from the balcony. It’d seemed that way when the man had risen after Fen’s bidding had ended and winked at him suggestively, but he’d hoped he’d been wrong.
Despite his eloquent clothing, there’d been nothing kind or soft about that alpha.
Even if Fenrir hadn’t been aware of Oberon’s ties to the mafia, instincts would have warned him from crossing the guy.
Would knowing he was a virgin make a difference?
And if it did, would that be in a good way or a bad one?
Was he sadistic like Michelle?
Fenrir might not be able to put off the inevitable, but if he’d been allowed a bit more time to prepare himself…
No, that wouldn’t have made a difference either.
He needed to compose himself now, be on his best behavior, and figure out what it was the alpha who’d won him wanted. So long as he could become whatever that was, he’d be able to complete his mission and survive this night.
Even if the opponent he’d been pitted against was several times more dangerous than Fenrir had initially been promised.
If he lost his cool, he could suffer from influx, and there was little chance of Michelle coming to his rescue if that happened. He’d enter a frenzy and either accidentally kill Oberon, or get killed himself.
Neither of those outcomes were very appealing.
“When is your next heat?”
The question wasn’t unexpected, so Fenrir didn’t know why his stomach flipped uncomfortably at it. “Eight days from now.”
The alpha hummed.
“You should have been given a pill to induce—” The hand let him go, abruptly bringing him to a stop.
“The bed is two paces to your left. Get on it.”
Fenrir pursed his lips but didn’t hesitate, turning to follow the command. These rooms were here for this purpose, but he’d sort of figured a man with the kind of coin to toss around like this alpha would want something more…private? Grandiose?
If the guy had wanted a quick lay, he could have gone to one of several brothels in the area.
“Is there anything beneath the silks?” the alpha questioned. “I should have asked before I told you to move.”
Fenrir settled onto the edge and then scooted until he felt his back meet the headboard.
He stretched his legs out in front of him, his bound wrists going to the tie holding the silk robe closed.
Instead of giving a verbal reply, he worked the knot free and then swept the material to the sides, exposing himself to the alpha's view.
Of course there was nothing beneath the silks.
“You don’t even know if there’s an audience,” the alpha stated.
“Is there?”
“You don’t sound concerned.”
Fenrir shrugged a single shoulder. “The contract makes it clear you’re the only one allowed to partake in my heat. Whether or not you want us to be watched by others, that’s up to you. It doesn’t break any of the clauses put in place by the Wardrobe.”
There was a moment of silence, and then the sound of chair legs scraping across the wooden floor. “You’re very familiar with the contract. Are all of the Wardrobe’s products as well informed as you are?”
He couldn’t exactly say he’d helped structure the new documentation when Michelle had decided to open an auction house.
Or that it’d been a reward for helping her take care of a few pesky patrons who’d used product then been unwilling to pay.
“We’re given the choice. Some of us want to review it, others don’t. ”
“Why do you think that is?”
“Why don’t they want to read it?” Fenrir wasn’t following.
“There’s something to fear about the unknown.”
Fen chuckled.
“What’s funny?”
“I’m wondering if you’ve also heard the phrase, ignorance is bliss. I don’t imagine someone like you has ever had to fear anything. Why bother trying to relate to us?”
“Ah, but you can’t exactly be considered in the same league as the rest,” the alpha stated. “You read the contract, after all. Which means a part of you must agree with my earlier adage. You’re the type that wants to know the rules of the game before opting to play.”
“You don’t know me.” Not only that, but they were both painfully aware that it didn’t matter what Fenrir wanted in this situation. The game was already in progress.
Cool air licked at his exposed parts, and though he was flaccid at the moment, he spread his thighs wider, as though offering the alpha a better look.
The faster they got this started, the sooner it could end.
Underestimating the alpha’s tastes was actually a good thing.
Getting it out of the way here was ideal.
It meant as soon as this was finished, Fenrir could cross the hallway and prove to Michelle he’d followed orders.
Though he wasn’t sure how he was meant to complete the mission bound like this.
Perhaps he could use his ability and lower the man's heart rate enough to knock him out…It was risky though. Not something he’d done often enough to be confident he wouldn’t make a mistake and accidentally freeze him to death.
He’d have to figure it out. There was still time.
“It appears I know you better than your mistress, in any case,” the alpha said, and something about his tone gave Fenrir pause.
“What do you mean?”
“She didn’t tell you what you’re doing here.”
He frowned. There was no chance this alpha knew about the mission…right? “You’re going to—”
“Fuck you?” he cut Fenrir off crudely. “Knot you? Yes, eventually. But not yet.”
“What?”
“That’s not why you’re here.”
The alpha had looked big from the balcony; could Fenrir take him if it came to that? He’d been allowed to keep his body in shape all this time, had the muscles to prove it, but…An alpha would always have the advantage over an omega. If pheromones were used against him, he’d succumb.
“The contract—” he gave one last attempt at feeling the alpha out, not wanting to jump to conclusions and risk outing himself through panic.
“I haven’t signed yet,” the alpha interrupted. “If this goes well, however, I will.”
“And…what is this, exactly?”
“A test.”
“Test?” Okay, that didn’t sound like he knew about Fenrir’s plan.
“Your mistress seems quite possessive of you, did you know that?”
“Would you believe me if I said she cares about all of the product the same?”
“What do you think?”
“It was worth a shot.” Did he know what Fenrir really was to her, or was Oberon reaching?
“Luckily for you, I don’t mind liars.” Something creaked, and it sounded like the alpha had taken a seat. “Would you like to know my name?”
“Yes.” He already knew it, but—
“The reason I like liars is that it gives an insight into a person rather quickly. Some are bad at it, some are better. But no one is perfect. There’s always something to give them away.
Finding out that tell is a favorite pastime of mine.
I like approaching people the same way one might an intricate puzzle.
The more complex, the better.” There was a moment of silence and then, “Would you like to try that again? What’s my name? ”
Fenrir licked his lips. “Oberon King.”
“You don’t like it.”
“It’s kind of on the nose, don’t you think?”
“How so?”
“Oberon was the king of the fae in a popular tale from another galaxy.”
The alpha laughed. “My friend Baal Fae would love to hear you put it like that.”
“Fae,” Fenrir corrected, “as in fairies.”
“Mystical folk with magical abilities.”
Fen tilted his head. “You don’t believe in magical abilities?”
“I believe in science.”
“And if science sometimes allows people to do the impossible?”
“It’s still science.” The alpha shifted in his seat. “You’re well read. I’m impressed.”