Page 4 of New Year with the Cartel

"Why are you being so weird about this?" He asked, his voice tinged with frustration. "Most alphas wouldn't give a shit about me, let alone offer me help. So, what's your deal? What are you really after?"

I couldn't help but grin at his words, at the way he was so openly challenging me. It was rare to find an omega who wasn't immediately submissive to an alpha, especially one of my standing. It was...refreshing.

"Who says I'm after anything?" I asked, tilting my head. "Maybe I just like helping lost little lambs like you. Maybe I get off on the thrill of it."

He scoffed at that, rolling his eyes. "Please. I'm not buying it. You're up to something, I just can't figure out what yet."

And so, maybe he should come with me to figure it out.

I shrugged, unconcerned. "Believe what you want, little omega. It doesn't change the fact that I'm trying to help you. And you'd be a fool to refuse."

He glared at me, his fists clenching at his sides. I could practically see the gears turning in his head as he tried to decide what to do. It was a tough choice, I knew. To trust a stranger, or to try to make it on his own in a world that was harsh and unforgiving.

But I also knew which choice he would make, in the end. He was smart and resourceful. He would take the easy way out, even if it meant being indebted to me. It was just shifter nature.

"Fine," he bit out, his voice tight with resignation. "I'll come with you. But only because I need a place to sleep tonight. That's it. I'm not going to owe you anything."

I grinned, triumphant. "We'll see about that," I said. "Now come on, let's get out of here. It's cold, and I have a nice, warm place waiting for you."

And so, as we stepped out of the alley and into the main street, I turned to the omega, extending a hand towards him. "By the way, I'm Fendwyr," I said, my voice low and serious. "And you are?"

He hesitated for a moment before taking my hand, his palm small and cold against my much larger one. "Gustall," he replied. And it didn't seem he was going to tell me what his last name was. Smart.

There was also something in that moment, in the simple exchange of names, that felt significant, almost momentous. It was as if we were both acknowledging that this was more than just a casual encounter, more than just two strangers crossing paths in the night.

I found myself wondering about him, about the life that had led him to this point. What were his dreams, his fears, his hopes? And why, in that moment, did it matter so much to me?

Good question. I had no idea what the answer to it was. I also didn't have time to seek it. Whatever it was, when it was important, it would be revealed.

I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the present. "Come on,Gustall," I said, my voice gentle. "Let's get you somewhere warm and safe. We can talk more later."

Chapter 3

Gustall

I followed Fendwyr through the snowy streets, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of the situation I found myself in. One moment I was living my life just like everybody else, the next an addict was trying to get me to buy his drugs, and then a man saved me, and I didn't know anything about him, other than his name and that he couldn't be trusted.

He led me to a grand, imposing building, the kind of place I had never set foot in before. I never would have come here if it weren't for him.

It was clear, even from the outside, that this was no ordinary dwelling.

As we stepped inside, the warmth enveloped me, a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside. The foyer was opulent, with rich carpets and gleaming furniture. But it was the people inside that caught my attention, that made me stop in my tracks.

The place was filled with men, all of them large and imposing like Fendwyr. They lounged on the plush sofas, their eyes watchful as they took in our arrival. I could sense the poweremanating from them, the raw dominance that was inherent to all alphas, and it wasn't a good feeling.

They all seemed to defer to Fendwyr, standing up straighter as he entered, their eyes filled with respect, even reverence. It was clear that he was the leader here, the alpha of alphas. The realization made my stomach twist with apprehension.

Fendwyr seemed to sense my unease, placing a reassuring hand on my lower back as he guided me further inside. "Don't mind them. They're friends."

His reassurance was enough to make me feel calmer, but not enough to feel entirely comfortable.

His fingers sent a jolt of awareness through me, a sensation that I tried desperately to ignore. I didn't want to feel anything for this man, didn't want to be drawn to him in any way. He was dangerous, a predator, and I was nothing more than prey to him.

In fact, the only reason he took me here was because he wanted to take advantage of me. It couldn't be anything different from that.

But as I looked up at him, taking in the strong lines of his face, the way his blue eyes seemed to see right through me, I couldn't deny the attraction that sparked between us. It was wrong, inappropriate, and yet I couldn't seem to quell the desire that simmered beneath my skin. It was wrong and made me feel dirty.

I swallowed hard, trying to push away the traitorous thoughts. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not here, not with him. I needed to keep my wits about me, to remember that I was in the den of a wolf. And I was nothing more than a lamb, brought in from the cold.

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