Chapter 6 #2
Fenrir looked away, fingers tightening on the champagne flute.
Product was kept separated by both first and secondary gender.
Before he’d been selected as a test subject, he’d been surrounded by only other alphas, and during puberty, no less.
Of course some of them had been unable to resist their… urges.
Oberon chuckled darkly. “I find you fascinating, omega.”
“I wish you didn’t.”
“No,” he laughed again, “I imagine you’d prefer we’d never met. That’s because you’re smart. Smarter than I think your mistress gives you credit for.”
Fenrir frowned. “What’s with the cryptic compliment?”
“You’ll figure it out eventually.” Before Fenrir could demand an explanation, Oberon motioned over his shoulder with his chin.
Fen turned just as another alpha approached.
“Koah,” Oberon greeted the newcomer warmly. “Happy Heated Hearts.”
Another recognizable face thanks to Michelle’s photographs. Koah Ridge was a high-standing member of the mafia as well.
“It will be for one of us, it seems.” Koah gave Fenrir an intrusive once-over. “Who is your date? I haven’t seen him around before.”
“Do you usually recognize my dates?” Oberon asked without a moment's hesitation.
“No.” Koah’s gaze turned interested. “But he doesn’t seem to care about that implication.”
“What? That I go on many dates?” Oberon reached forward, looping an arm casually around Fenrir’s waist.
Fen stiffened some, but otherwise kept his composure, not wanting to ruin whatever game the alphas were playing with one another. It was bad enough he’d been placed on the White Frost’s radar.
“It must be casual then.” Koah took a pointed step closer, eyes locked with Fenrir’s. “What do you say, omega? Should I whisk you away? You came with the Purse, but surely leaving with the General is more palatable.”
Oberon snorted. “To what? His delicate sensibilities? Tell me, Koah, is there anything about him that looks delicate to you?”
“You’re invested,” the alpha noted.
“Eleven million coins’ worth.”
Fenrir didn’t flinch at the reveal. He was used to being product, after all. It didn’t matter to him if everyone in this damn room knew it.
Koah paused, and when it was clear he wouldn’t be getting any rises out of either of them, retreated a full step. “I’ve never met anyone worth even a million coin, let alone eleven. Was it a full purchase?”
Oberon grinned. “Nope.”
“No?” he frowned, showing true emotion for the first time since his arrival. “On what then?”
“He bought my heat,” Fenrir revealed himself. “One heat.”
“A single heat?” Koah’s shock wore off the second he turned to look at Oberon’s face. “Ah. I see.”
Fen tried to turn, curious what it was the alpha apparently saw, but the arm around his waist tightened, preventing him from doing so.
“If you need a moment with the Dominus,” Koah cryptically said then, “I would take it now. I’ll keep your omega company.”
“From that exact distance,” Oberon warned.
Koah smirked. “Of course.”
They stared each other down for a spell, and then Oberon released Fenrir and turned to address him. “Don’t move from this spot. Understood?”
He had literally no clue what was going on anymore, but whatever. Whatever had just transpired between these alphas didn’t affect him.
“It’s not like there’s anywhere else I could go.” Even if Fenrir did manage to slip away—which wasn’t even something he wanted to do—there was nowhere for him to run to. If the White Frost didn’t find him, the Wardrobe surely would, and then there would be hell to pay from both sides.
No thank you.
“Go on,” Fen motioned toward the Dominus with his empty glass. “I’ll wait.”
“Many of us have yet to pair up,” Koah told Oberon. “If you don’t hurry, someone else might be tempted to slip your omega something and steal him away.”
How flippantly he spoke about forcing Fenrir into heat was disgusting, and it took all of his willpower to mask his disdain. The Imperial family had backed this holiday in the hopes of encouraging procreation, but all it’d really done was make an already vulnerable group even more so.
He had to remember where he was and who he was dealing with.
No matter how comfortable Oberon managed to make him, he couldn’t allow his guard to drop.
“It’s been a while since I’ve killed a friend.” Oberon didn’t bother saying more than that, leaving the two of them on their own without so much as a second glance.
Fenrir watched him cross the room, only tearing his gaze away when the alpha still with him cleared his throat loudly. “Something I can help you with?”
“It’s unlikely.” Movement below caught Koah’s attention, and he laughed. “Looks like you two aren’t the only ones getting laid tonight.”
Following his line of sight, Fen spotted a dark-haired man and a male with similar hair to Levi’s exiting the main room in a hurry.
“Everyone is having fun,” Koah stated. “Is it really fair to ask me to stand here and babysit instead of hunting for a good time of my own?”
“You’re the one who offered,” Fenrir pointed out. “I’m more than all right on my own.”
He cocked his head. “Yes, it does seem like you’re rather comfortable with your current situation.”
Fen felt a prickle of indignation and sneered before he could help it. “I’m well trained.”
“And quick to mock yourself.”
“Better me than you.”
“A prideful omega. Those are the best kind.”
“A prideful omega that can be yours for the low, low cost of twelve million coin,” Fenrir quipped.
Koah held up both hands in surrender. “I think I’ll take my chances with the omegas below.”
“There are quite a few staring at you,” he hummed in agreement.
“You noticed?” He seemed to find humor in that. “A prideful, perceptive omega. I smell trouble, but the underboss just left, so alas, there’s no one to report to.”
Fenrir lifted a brow. “Pretty sure the Dominus is right behind you.”
“Levi doesn’t concern himself over stuff like this.”
“Like what exactly?” Yet again, Fen felt like he was missing something.
“Never mind.” Koah rested his arms on the ledge of the banister and nodded toward the floor. “Who do you figure? The female brunette? Or the male with the hair like fire?”
“Either one would do, I suppose.”
“Come on. That’s a boring response. Your taste clearly runs expensive. You’re attracted to Oberon, after all.”
“Who says I’m attracted to him?” He shrugged. “I go where I’m told.”
“I won’t waste time arguing the obvious with you. Hurry up and help me pick.”
Since there wasn’t anything else to do anyway, Fenrir took a closer look at the options.
The female kept stealing glances, her attention more obvious than the male’s, who kept his eyes down.
The hunched set of his shoulders and the way his cheeks flushed gave him away, however.
Every time Koah set his attention on him, he shifted noticeably.
“Do you have a preference?” Fen asked.
“I do not,” Koah replied. “An omega is an omega. First gender doesn’t matter to me. Besides, unlike some, I’m not here to capture a mate. I just want to get laid.”
“I’m not sure it really matters which of them you end up with then.”
“It always matters.” Koah sighed. “But what if I make the wrong choice?”
“If you want someone who can be easily dominated, go with the redhead,” he suggested. “If you want someone who might fight back—”
“The brunette it is.” The alpha didn’t let him finish, already moving away without so much as a thank you or reminder to stay put.
Fenrir rolled his eyes, about to turn and check to see if Oberon was still discussing things with the Leviathan, before someone stepped up on his left side. He froze, recognizing the waitress instantly, and pretended to consider the selection of wines on the golden tray she offered.
“Red is a lovely color,” she suggested in a soft murmur, her honey gaze downcast. Her gold and silver outfit matched all the other members of staff, and her hair had been pulled into a tight bun.
While it left her face bare, it also meant she blended in with the rest of the waitresses seamlessly.
Unless someone took the time to really look at her and memorize her face, they probably wouldn’t recognize her if they crossed paths on the street.
But that’s what the Wardrobe was counting on. They hoped the White Frost would be too busy partying, too secure in their own power to suspect a spy had infiltrated their midst.
Wordlessly, Fen selected the red concoction and set his empty glass in the space the flute left.
“Is it strong?” Fenrir tipped it, pretending to admire the way the red glimmered in the light.
“It’s best to take it all in one go,” she confirmed.
Drugged. No doubt with a heat inducer.
Michelle hadn’t liked what took place in that room. Would have seen the alpha come onto Fenrir. It wouldn’t matter to her that Fen had pushed him away in the end. She must be anxious, eager for this to be over.
Fen couldn’t say he felt any differently.
Bringing the glass to his lips, he tossed back his head and downed the contents.