- 3 hours ago
One Night, Alpha's Baby
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00:00I was an alpha wolf and a hitman.
00:03After a one-night stand with the Lycan king, I wound up pregnant.
00:08Given my line of work, I had no other option but to leave the pup on his doorstep and run.
00:15Three years later, our paths crossed again, and he stopped me before I could bolt.
00:21Come home with me and meet our baby boy.
00:23I was an alpha wolf, a killer, a Lonekin king, tall, broad-shouldered, with eyes like molten silver, and a
00:33jaw sharp enough to cut glass.
00:35That night, even drugged and half-conscious, his wolf radiated power that made my own alpha instincts want to submit.
00:42He told myself it was just the drugs.
00:45Half a month later, I found out I was pregnant.
00:48My wolf howled inside my chest not with joy, but with sheer, primal panic.
00:54A Lone Wolf didn't raise pups.
00:56A hitman didn't bring a child into this world.
00:59I muttered under my breath,
01:03Fuck.
01:04My wolf ears pinned flat against my skull.
01:07My tail bristled between my legs.
01:10How the hell was a drifter like me supposed to raise a child?
01:14After giving birth, I hardened my heart and left the newborn on Marcus' doorstep.
01:19I ignored his heartbreaking cries and fled without a glance back.
01:24Three years later, the organization I worked for got taken down, and I ended up scraping by as a beast
01:30fighter in the arena.
01:32One day, I spotted Marcus sitting in the VIP section.
01:37He didn't recognize me.
01:39He was just there to watch the fights.
01:42The little boy in his arms was glued to the arena.
01:45My face darkened.
01:47Is this Lycan king totally clueless about being a father?
01:54Who brings a two-year-old to a place like this?
01:57Has he lost his mind?
01:59My heart sank with regret.
02:01I should have known better than to leave the kid with him.
02:04A man that brutal in bed was hardly father material.
02:07I cursed him in my head while dodging the centaur's charge.
02:10The beast thundered past, hoofs sparking against the blood-soaked sand.
02:16I spun low, swept my leg under his forelegs.
02:19He crashed onto his side.
02:21Before he could rise, I vaulted onto his human back,
02:25wrapped my arm around his throat, and squeezed until his eyes rolled white.
02:29The crowd roared.
02:31Sand and sweat stung my eyes.
02:34I won that fight without even shifting.
02:37I won that fight effortlessly.
02:41As I headed toward the private locker room with a towel slung over my shoulder,
02:45I suddenly felt a pair of eyes lock onto me.
02:48It was Marcus.
02:49He stared down at me, his gaze dark and unreadable.
02:53For a second, I almost thought he might have come looking for me.
02:56But soon, his icy gaze shifted back to the sand.
03:01That night three years ago, Marcus had been drugged.
03:04The lights were off.
03:06Halfway through, I had slipped him extra sleeping pills.
03:10He should have woken up after me.
03:13I told myself there was nothing to worry about and strolled casually into the bathroom.
03:18Stripping off my sweat-soaked clothes, I turned on the shower.
03:23The water was running full blast, but I still heard heavy footsteps outside slow, steady,
03:30heading straight for the bathroom.
03:33The guy stopped right outside the door.
03:37Not knocking or doing a thing.
03:39From the sound of it, he was half a head taller than me, not bad on his feet.
03:45Those measured, deliberate footsteps were clearly meant for me to hear.
03:50I blinked.
03:51Could it be?
03:53I rinsed off fast and stepped out.
03:57Marcus was leaning against the doorframe, bored out of his mind.
04:02Hearing me, he slowly looked up.
04:05His eyes were calm and deep, his voice flat.
04:09Have we met before?
04:10My blood ran cold, but I played it cool.
04:14Stop kidding, your majesty.
04:16How would someone like me ever meet a big shot like you?
04:21He didn't reply.
04:25After a long silence, he suddenly leaned in close to my neck.
04:29I instinctively stepped back, clutching my gland, every nerve on high alert.
04:36What's wrong?
04:37I asked.
04:39Marcus straightened up, a cryptic laugh escaping him.
04:43Your pheromone smells familiar.
04:46At times like this, I'm truly grateful.
04:49The pheromone my hitman parents left me is bland enough.
04:55Shamomil, you can smell that anywhere.
04:57Nothing special.
05:00Really?
05:01He gave a meaningful smile.
05:03My mistake then.
05:05See you tomorrow.
05:07Then he turned and walked away without hesitation.
05:11I wiped the cold sweat off my forehead, slumped against the wall.
05:16Like hell I was seeing him tomorrow.
05:19I quit that very day and moved out, getting as far away as I could.
05:25But two days later, I ran into that pain in the ass again.
05:32I was covering a shift for my sick friend at the bar.
05:38Then an omega went into heat.
05:41I had to escort the omega out.
05:43And help him inject suppressants.
05:47That chaos finally ended.
05:50I slipped into the bathroom, took care of my own problem.
05:54I was too broke to afford suppressants.
05:57So I had to handle it myself.
05:59The out of order sign was already up.
06:02So I stopped hiding my pheromone and let it unfurl.
06:05Filling the bathroom with my chamomile scent.
06:09I was sitting on the toilet.
06:11Mind starting to drift.
06:13When someone knocked on the door.
06:17A guy's deep voice came through.
06:21Get out.
06:23I frowned.
06:25I hadn't killed anyone since I quit the hitman life.
06:28And my temper had gotten way better.
06:31But right then, I was this close.
06:33I cursed under my breath.
06:35That bastard out there better have a damn good reason.
06:38Or he'll get one.
06:40The second my hand hit the doorknob.
06:42I caught a whiff of something way too familiar.
06:44The rich, heady scent of blackerant took over the whole room.
06:48Shoving my own pheromone into some little corner.
06:52That class.
06:54That scent.
06:55I had only ever smelled it on one guy before.
06:57My hand froze mid-move.
06:59My throat tightening.
07:03Fuck.
07:04Just my luck.
07:08I scratched my head.
07:10Annoyed.
07:10Pulled a scar from my pocket.
07:12And tied it around my face.
07:15I checked my reflection on my phone to make sure no one could tell it was me.
07:21Then I slowly opened the door.
07:24Outside.
07:25Marcus stood there with his arms crossed.
07:27Looking relaxed.
07:29Seeing me sneaking out like some guilty thief.
07:32He got straight to it.
07:34Why did you quit the arena?
07:37My fingers curled slightly.
07:39I lowered my voice and played dumb.
07:42Sir.
07:44What are you talking about?
07:45His eyes narrowed.
07:47A mocking grin on his face as he reached for my face.
07:50I blocked it swiftly.
07:52Still spinning lies.
07:54Sir.
07:55I'm having an allergic reaction.
07:59My face is all swollen.
08:01Too embarrassing to show anyone.
08:04He pulled his hand back.
08:05Smiling.
08:08Nice block.
08:10Very professional.
08:11Of course it was.
08:13Basically automatic.
08:14But I wouldn't admit it.
08:16I laughed it off.
08:18I picked up a few basics.
08:23Marcus switched it up.
08:25Someone used that same block on me three years back.
08:29He didn't win though.
08:31A jolt shot through me.
08:33And I froze.
08:34Holding my breath.
08:36Did he recognize me?
08:38Before I knew it.
08:39The scarf was ripped off my face.
08:42Marcus twirled it lazily in his fingers.
08:45Smirking.
08:46Jeffrey.
08:48You forgot?
08:50I tied this scarf around your neck to stop the bleeding back then.
08:53My eyes widened.
08:54And I tried to run.
08:56But Marcus was quicker.
08:58His hand locked around the back of my neck.
09:00Slamming me back against the door.
09:02I fought like crazy.
09:04But he didn't move an inch.
09:06How embarrassing.
09:07I couldn't beat him three years ago.
09:09And I still couldn't now.
09:11It pissed me off.
09:13He never even liked me.
09:15Otherwise.
09:16Why hadn't he come looking for me once in three years?
09:19With his resources.
09:21He should have tracked me down in three days.
09:24So what was this now?
09:25Chasing me down.
09:27Cornering me.
09:28What was he playing at?
09:30I dropped the act and snarled.
09:33What do you want?
09:35Marcus let go.
09:38Fred has been whining for you.
09:41Come back to calm him down.
09:43I frowned.
09:44Keeping my voice low.
09:46Just get someone else.
09:48He's too young to remember anyway.
09:50Marcus face darkened.
09:52You don't feel a thing for him?
09:55He's your own son.
09:57Honestly.
09:58I didn't.
09:59Blood ties never meant a thing to me.
10:02When I was 13.
10:03My hitman parents sold me out of the pack to pay their blood debt.
10:08So when they were waiting for me to save them, I scented the wind, read the hunt, sniffed
10:15what little they were worth to me, and turned tail, not worth the blood price.
10:23That was why when the organization got taken down three years ago, I was the only lone wolf
10:29still standing.
10:30Being cold-blooded kept me alive.
10:33That was what my parents taught me.
10:37Marcus couldn't tell what I was thinking.
10:40He saw me go quiet, and his eyes went hard for a split second.
10:44He didn't bother talking.
10:47He undid his tie, tied my hands with it, and hoisted me over his shoulder.
10:53I snapped.
10:54You fucking crazy!
10:56Just pay someone else to play mom!
10:58The boy is two, and he doesn't know anything!
11:00What, you think he's some kind of genius?
11:03He got fed up with my noise, so he yanked out the scarf and shoved it in to shut me
11:08up.
11:12All that rage sat heavy in my chest.
11:15Back home, Marcus tossed me onto the couch.
11:19I heard the pitter-patter of slippers from upstairs.
11:22A minute later, a chubby little boy came running over, a little bow and arrow in his hands.
11:28He pulled the scarf out of my mouth, stared at me for a while, then said,
11:34It's him!
11:35I was baffled.
11:36How did you know it was me?
11:39He pressed his lips into a thin line, utterly serious.
11:46You look like the type to dump your kid on someone.
11:50I heard Marcus snickering over there.
11:53My face burned with embarrassment, and I quickly looked away.
11:58Then something occurred to me, and I turned back, puzzled.
12:04Why aren't you asking why I left you back then?
12:06Alfred Livingston thought about it.
12:09You couldn't feed me, I guess.
12:12You look pretty broke.
12:14I laughed in exasperation.
12:16He really knew how to hit where it hurt.
12:19He definitely got that sharp tongue from that bastard.
12:22Marcus.
12:26Put down your little bow and arrow.
12:28All you do is talk in memes.
12:31I rolled over, annoyed.
12:33This little brat didn't even seem like he missed me.
12:36If Marcus was telling the truth, he should be happy to see me, at least reaching up for a hug
12:41or something.
12:45I poked his chubby cheek.
12:48Hey, your dad said you were whining for your mom.
12:51Is that true?
12:55He looked at me and shook his head.
12:57No.
13:00I knew it.
13:02I glared at Marcus, pissed.
13:04But he didn't look embarrassed at all.
13:07Instead, he turned it around and made me the bad guy.
13:10I never thought you'd be this reluctant to see your own son.
13:16How cold and unfeeling.
13:18I looked back at Alfred.
13:20He looked pretty sad.
13:23Feeling bad, I rubbed his head to make him feel better.
13:26But I was rusty at this parenting thing, and I ended up messing up his hair.
13:30He forgot about being sad.
13:32He clutched his head, face all scrunched up, and ran upstairs.
13:39I felt a twinge of guilt.
13:41Hey, buddy, are you mad?
13:45Marcus slowly poured me some water.
13:47He styled his hair when he heard you were coming, and then you went and messed it up.
13:52Yeah, he's mad.
13:54My lashes fluttered.
13:55For once, I didn't snap back.
13:58I said calmly,
14:01All right, spill it.
14:03What's going on?
14:04That whole act was clearly to get Alfred out of the room.
14:09Marcus wanted to talk to me alone.
14:11And I really wanted to know why he went through all this trouble to drag me back here.
14:17He grabbed some files from the bookshelf and tossed them my way.
14:23Fred is sick.
14:26The doctor said it was from prolonged nutrient deficiency in the womb.
14:33His glands are underdeveloped.
14:38He needs cord blood
14:41from a full sibling
14:42to make some pheromone induction drugs.
14:49My face dropped.
14:50I was pissed.
14:52Why didn't you say so from the start?
14:54He sat on something this critical.
14:56Marcus shot me a pointed look.
15:03I didn't know if you'd go for it,
15:05so I wanted to see how you felt about Fred.
15:07Good thing you don't hate him.
15:09Otherwise, even if I had to force it,
15:11I'd make sure you carried the baby to term.
15:14I sighed.
15:15I wasn't exactly the sentimental type,
15:18but I put Alfred in this mess.
15:21The least I could do was get him fixed up.
15:25I jerked my chin at Marcus.
15:29What do you need from me?
15:30He looked me dead in the eye.
15:33You know, Alpha's gestational spegs sit deep
15:36and are mostly atrifriated.
15:38Right?
15:40Yeah.
15:43Current IVF tech can't get them pregnant, so...
15:46Why beat around the bush?
15:51I cut straight to it.
15:54So we gotta fuck till I'm pregnant.
15:56That's it?
15:57Marcus pressed his lips together.
15:58Something playful creeping into his eyes.
16:01Yes.
16:02I raised an eyebrow without hesitation.
16:05Alright.
16:07Then something clicked,
16:08and I wavered.
16:11If I get pregnant, I can't work.
16:13Will you cover my lost wages?
16:15Marcus nodded like it was obvious.
16:19Fair enough.
16:21Give your bank info to my beta.
16:24He'll transfer you money every month.
16:26Anything else?
16:27I shook my head.
16:29No.
16:31He gestured,
16:32and the beta came over.
16:34Marcus pointed at me,
16:35his voice flat.
16:37Take him to bathe.
16:40I cleared my throat,
16:42cheeks burning.
16:44Already?
16:44Don't we need to get lunch first?
16:47And...
16:47Don't we need prep?
16:49I'm an Alpha, so I'm tough.
16:51But it still hurts.
16:53Memories of the first time flooded back.
16:55It was an absolute nightmare.
16:57Marcus was drugged out of his mind.
16:59Running on pure instinct fast.
17:01Brutal.
17:02Like I was his enemy.
17:05I nearly died right there in his bed.
17:08Even as a hitman,
17:10I had never gotten hurt down there.
17:14The pain was one thing,
17:15but the humiliation lingered.
17:18And it messed with my daily life.
17:23This time,
17:24I was hoping he'd go easy on me.
17:27Yeah,
17:28I had a son,
17:29but I had only been fucked once.
17:31He couldn't start with anything too intense.
17:34I wasn't built for it,
17:35and I wasn't that flexible.
17:37I was kind of nervous inside,
17:39secretly hoping he had gotten better in bed over the years.
17:43Marcus stepped closer,
17:45backing me against the wall.
17:48One hand braced beside my head.
17:50The other found my waist.
17:52His thumb traced slow circles over my hip bone,
17:55pressing just hard enough to hold me there.
17:59He leaned in,
18:00close enough that I could feel the heat coming off his chest.
18:03But he didn't touch me anywhere else.
18:06Close enough to ghost over it.
18:08No rush.
18:13I'll get everything ready.
18:15His fingers tightened on my waist slightly,
18:18then loosened,
18:19like he was stopping himself.
18:21Relax.
18:22I won't stop caring for you just because you're an alpha.
18:25He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes,
18:28his gaze dark,
18:29unhurried,
18:30amused.
18:32It sounded like flirting,
18:34and it gave me a weird,
18:36tingly feeling.
18:37I opened my mouth,
18:38then closed it.
18:40Nothing came out.
18:41Yeah,
18:42he had that rich CEO vibe.
18:44But why was he playing on the charm with me?
18:46What the hell was this?
18:48Some cheesy romance drama?
18:52Marcus said the best time to get pregnant was during his rut.
18:56That was when alphas were super fertile.
18:58The doctor said his rut hit next week.
19:01And here I am,
19:02still kind of nervous.
19:06I watched his box after box of lube was hauled into the bedroom,
19:09and my smile died.
19:12Seriously?
19:13Did we really need that much?
19:14What did he think I was?
19:16I wasn't made of steel down there, okay?
19:20Then I caught sight of Alfred in the doorway with those round eyes of his,
19:23and I swallowed my panic.
19:25Whatever.
19:26For his health,
19:27I'd suck it up.
19:29Over the past few days,
19:31Marcus Pheromones had begun to stir.
19:34When he looked up at me that morning,
19:36his eyes darted briefly to my lips.
19:39I would have totally missed it without all that organization training.
19:43I knew the day had finally come.
19:47That night,
19:48I jumped in the shower as soon as I hit the bedroom.
19:52I just got back from the arena,
19:54reeking of sweat.
19:56If I didn't wash up,
19:58Marcus would break my ribs.
20:01Before I even made it to bed.
20:03No way I was going head to head with him.
20:07I had no idea when he got back.
20:10But when I stepped out of the shower,
20:13he was already sitting at the edge of the bed in silence.
20:18Hands braced loosely at his sides,
20:20his sharp gaze raking over me.
20:24I froze mid-step,
20:26my throat bobbing.
20:27He crooked his finger at me.
20:29I relaxed and walked over.
20:31As soon as I got close,
20:33he grabbed my wrist,
20:35yanked me into his arms.
20:37He dipped his head and sniffed my gland,
20:40voice gravelly.
20:44Scared?
20:47I tensed up,
20:49clutching the sheets beneath me as I blinked hard.
20:56No.
20:57Just another job.
20:59If you're gonna do this, hurry up.
21:01Miss this heat window,
21:02and who knows when I'll get pregnant again.
21:05Marcus's fertility,
21:06no way it's that strong.
21:09Get alpha pregnant twice,
21:11outside a rut.
21:12That'd be seriously humiliating.
21:15He pinned me down on the bed.
21:18His hips ground into mine,
21:20slow and hard at the same time.
21:23I gasped,
21:24then shoved at his chest.
21:30Wait!
21:31He caught my face in one hand,
21:33thumb pressing against my lower lip.
21:39Stop fighting me,
21:40struggling to catch my breath.
21:44Hold up!
21:45I panted.
21:46He answered by dragging his teeth down my throat.
21:50Wait!
21:52Stop!
21:53Hold up!
21:54Don't!
21:55Marcus paused.
21:57He leaned in,
21:58ear to my lips,
21:59voice rough.
22:04What's up?
22:04My breath came in ragged bursts.
22:09Halftime.
22:10I begged.
22:11I need a break.
22:17Sure.
22:18He wrapped one arm around my waist
22:20and shifted us around
22:21so I was sitting fully in his lap,
22:23giving me something to hold on to.
22:26I went limp against him,
22:28squeezing my eyes shut
22:29like my life was over.
22:31It was just as overwhelming
22:33as it had been the first time.
22:35I had already pushed out one baby,
22:37so why the hell was I still so tight?
22:39It was just like our first time.
22:42Exhausting and brutal.
22:43Back then,
22:44at least I could pop some painkillers
22:46halfway through
22:47and let them kick in.
22:50This time,
22:51I had to feel everything clearly.
22:54I wasn't even done
22:55feeling sorry for myself.
22:58Then the pheromones in the air
22:59came rushing back.
23:01Marcus' temperature shot up,
23:03his lips back on my nape,
23:05rubbing softly.
23:06His dry mouth rasped
23:08against my gland.
23:10The rush so intense
23:12that everything went blurry.
23:14Don't!
23:15I let out a low moan
23:16before I could stop myself.
23:18My warning carrying no weight.
23:20He patted my waist.
23:22Break is over.
23:24I glanced at the alarm clock
23:26on the knitstand and snapped.
23:28It's just been five minutes.
23:30His deep voice vibrated
23:32against my skin.
23:33He rubbed up on my gland,
23:35and I couldn't tell
23:36what was real anymore.
23:38Time is money.
23:40Can't waste it.
23:41I felt my eye twitch.
23:45Regular alphas had ruts
23:46lasting three or four days.
23:48S-class ones?
23:49Lichen King?
23:51A solid seven days?
23:53Those seven days,
23:54Marcus worked me over,
23:56cycling through every
23:57impossible position imaginable.
24:00I was ready to curse him out
24:01halfway through,
24:02but he had an answer
24:03for everything.
24:07The doctor said this helps
24:09with conception.
24:10Did I buy it?
24:12But I had no choice.
24:17If I didn't get pregnant,
24:18we'd be right back here
24:20next cycle,
24:20and somehow it'd be my fault
24:22for not trying hard enough.
24:24I finally made it through
24:26Marcus Rutt.
24:27I crashed onto the bed,
24:29totally wiped out,
24:29my head pounding non-stop.
24:34I dragged myself back to reality
24:36and elbowed him.
24:38Test results take at least a week.
24:41I gotta work during that.
24:42He frowned,
24:44genuinely confused.
24:49Work?
24:50You mean the arena fighting?
24:52Didn't my beta pay you?
24:55Why do you still have to work?
24:57I forced patience into my voice.
24:59A different job?
25:01I've got nothing going on anyway,
25:03so I might as well
25:03make some extra money.
25:05Marcus' eyes cut into me,
25:07sharp and unreadable.
25:12Jeffrey,
25:13you always seem broke.
25:15From what I hear,
25:17a fighter of your caliber
25:19earns $2,000 a fight.
25:22You do three or four fights a week?
25:24That's at least $24,000 a month.
25:27So how come you couldn't even afford
25:28the cheapest suppressor
25:31when I saw you that day?
25:37Just burn through money fast, I guess.
25:40I looked away like it was nothing.
25:43Marcus narrowed his eyes.
25:45He didn't buy it for a second,
25:47but he let it drop.
25:49He pulled a black card from his wallet
25:51and held it out.
25:55Use it when you need money.
25:57I took it,
25:59stunned,
25:59and asked on a strange impulse.
26:02We barely know each other.
26:05And you're handing me your card?
26:07You really don't think I'll take your money
26:09and do something dirty with it?
26:12When they trace it back,
26:14you can't prove it wasn't you.
26:17Don't forget,
26:18I'm a hitman.
26:19Marcus leaned back against the headboard,
26:22checking me out like he had
26:23all the time in the world.
26:25Instead,
26:26he said with absolute certainty,
26:29you won't.
26:30I felt exposed,
26:32hot with embarrassment,
26:34and snarled.
26:35What makes you so sure?
26:38He chuckled softly,
26:40twining his fingers
26:40through my sweaty hair.
26:45When I brought Fred home,
26:47I looked into you.
26:49You've done 31 missions
26:51over the years.
26:52All your targets
26:53were dead weight in office,
26:55corrupt officials,
26:56and moral degenerates.
26:58You might not be a saint,
27:00but you're no villain either.
27:04That's beneath you.
27:05His words got my blood pumping.
27:07For a second there,
27:08I almost believed
27:09I was some kind of hero.
27:11I pursed my lips and shut up,
27:13no longer bugging him
27:14about going back to work.
27:19What he meant was obvious.
27:20If he wanted to dig,
27:22he'd find everything.
27:23There was no point
27:24hiding stuff from him.
27:28So I used his card
27:29for everything.
27:30A week went by.
27:33To my surprise,
27:34I wasn't pregnant.
27:36That made absolutely no sense.
27:38Last time,
27:39I got pregnant
27:40even when Marcus
27:41wasn't in rut.
27:42This time,
27:43we did everything right,
27:45so why nothing?
27:48I looked at him.
27:49His face was blank,
27:51giving nothing away.
27:52He had to be upset,
27:54probably questioning himself.
27:56But then again,
27:57he was almost 30 age,
27:59caught up with everyone.
28:00Great sex didn't mean anything
28:02if we couldn't make a baby.
28:06I gave Marcus
28:07a knowing pat on the shoulder.
28:09As a guy myself,
28:10I got it.
28:11Now that I thought about it,
28:13he should be thanking me.
28:15If I hadn't given him
28:16a son three years ago,
28:17he'd still be praying for one.
28:20My mind was racing
28:21with all kinds of wild thoughts.
28:23Then I turned,
28:25and saw Marcus' face
28:27go serious.
28:28He slid the report
28:30across to me.
28:31I looked down.
28:33My report read,
28:34Chronic administration
28:35of aphrodisiac drugs,
28:37alpha gland atrophy observed.
28:40Reproductive cavity
28:41demonstrates diminished viability.
28:44He jabbed at the report,
28:46his words coming out
28:47hard and slow.
28:49Jeffrey,
28:50you'd better start
28:51explaining yourself.
28:54Yeah,
28:54he deserved to know.
28:56After all,
28:57we were in this together.
28:58I felt his eyes
29:00burning a hole in my head.
29:02I tried to find
29:03the right words.
29:06Remember when you asked
29:07why I'm so broke?
29:10Three years ago,
29:12everyone in the organization
29:13was being hunted down.
29:16I was on the run
29:17when some young guy
29:18saved me.
29:20He took seven bullets
29:21and was barely clinging
29:22to life.
29:24My face was on
29:25every wanted poster,
29:26so I couldn't take him
29:27to a proper hospital.
29:30I carried him
29:31to some back alley clinic
29:32instead.
29:33The doctor saw his chance
29:35and gouged me on the price.
29:37I couldn't pay,
29:38so he offered a deal.
29:41I could work it off
29:42with my pheromones
29:43after I gave birth.
29:45$5,000 per vial.
29:47I gave 10 vials in total.
29:53You know the rest.
29:56Six months ago,
29:58I found that arena
29:59and started fighting for money.
30:01I spilled everything,
30:02but Marcus went quiet,
30:04thinking hard.
30:06Finally,
30:07he asked,
30:08You said you were being hunted
30:09three years ago?
30:10Where?
30:11November 1345
30:12Industrial Road,
30:14Las Vegas.
30:15He narrowed his eyes.
30:17Is that young guy
30:18still alive?
30:19Somehow,
30:20his question dripped
30:21with barely contained fury.
30:26He's a vegetable,
30:27still receiving treatment
30:29at that same clinic.
30:30What's wrong?
30:33Marcus sneered,
30:35his voice turning menacing.
30:39Perfect.
30:40Now I were to find him.
30:42He got up,
30:43his long fingers grazing
30:44the gland at the back
30:45of my neck,
30:46pressing down twice,
30:48firm but not rough.
30:51Now,
30:52it's time for some people
30:53to pay.
30:54I got in the car
30:55with Marcus.
30:56While waiting at a red light,
30:58he made a quick call.
31:02Yeah,
31:03I'll send you the address.
31:04Bring more guys over
31:05and raid that place
31:06in one go.
31:08He sounded seriously pissed.
31:11I sat there
31:12with my hands folded,
31:13quietly on edge.
31:15What the hell
31:15did Ethan Morse do
31:16to get on Marcus's bad side?
31:18Was that sketchy
31:19Dr. Cedric Bowen
31:20behind this?
31:24Completely baffled,
31:25I stared at Marcus,
31:27wanting to ask
31:27but not daring to.
31:30He kept his eyes
31:31on the road ahead,
31:32then suddenly said
31:33out of nowhere,
31:34go ahead.
31:35What do you want to ask?
31:40Who are we going after?
31:42I asked.
31:43He gave me a long look,
31:45then dodged my question.
31:48You dumped Fred on me
31:49because of that guy,
31:50didn't you?
31:51I looked away.
31:52Not exactly.
31:54He let out a cold laugh.
31:57Trying to cover for him?
31:59He was being weirdly snarky,
32:01but I knew better
32:02than to take it personally.
32:04He was probably mad
32:05for Alfred's sake,
32:07thinking it wasn't fair to him.
32:10But I had to set
32:11the record straight.
32:12I wasn't about to let
32:14innocent people
32:14take the fall.
32:17I didn't dump Fred
32:19to save money
32:20for Ethan's treatment.
32:21It was the whole
32:22registration thing.
32:25I was a hitman
32:26with people after me.
32:27Having him on my record
32:28would be way too risky.
32:31I might be cold,
32:32but I wasn't evil.
32:33I didn't want to drag
32:34some innocent kid
32:35in my mess.
32:36After I said my piece,
32:37Marcus' face relaxed a bit.
32:39His body no longer
32:41as tense as before.
32:43But he still wouldn't tell me
32:45what he was actually up to.
32:46He kept it a secret,
32:48and it was driving me nuts.
32:49It was a four-hour drive
32:51from Los Angeles
32:52to Las Vegas.
32:53I sat in the passenger seat,
32:55uneasy and restless.
32:59If Marcus was going
33:00after Cedric,
33:01I'd be all for it.
33:03But obviously,
33:04he wasn't letting
33:04anyone off easy.
33:07I fiddled
33:07with the dagger
33:08in my hand,
33:09distracted.
33:11By the time
33:12I came back
33:13to my senses,
33:14the car had stopped.
33:18Marcus got out
33:19and walked straight
33:20into that creepy-looking clinic.
33:22I followed right
33:23behind him.
33:26The door flew open
33:28as he kicked it in.
33:29Cedric came stomping
33:30over at the commotion.
33:32What's going on?
33:33No consultations today.
33:35Go on home!
33:36He froze mid-sentence
33:37when he saw
33:38who it was.
33:40Well,
33:41Mr. Livingston,
33:42to what do I owe
33:43the pleasure?
33:43Then his eyes
33:44landed on me,
33:45and he furrowed
33:46his brow.
33:53Mr. Livingston,
33:54don't listen
33:55to his nonsense.
33:55I'm running
33:56a clean business here.
33:57No price gouging,
33:58I promise.
33:59That's bullshit.
34:00With me,
34:01he acted like
34:02a ruthless lone shark,
34:03but in front of Marcus,
34:05he was all boughs
34:06and scrapes.
34:07I hadn't even finished
34:08thinking what a piece
34:09of work he was
34:10when Marcus booted
34:11him out of the way
34:13and strode straight
34:14into the back room.
34:17In the room,
34:19Ethan was lying there
34:19on the bed,
34:20not moving.
34:22Marcus leaned
34:23against the wall,
34:24his eyes narrowing.
34:27Name your price.
34:28How much
34:29to finish him off?
34:31Before I could
34:32get a word out,
34:33Cedric stepped
34:34in front of the bed
34:34with a shaky grin.
34:40Come on,
34:41Mr. Livingston.
34:42I'm a doctor,
34:43and I save lives.
34:44I don't do
34:44that kind of stuff.
34:47I subtly rolled
34:48my eyes.
34:49Then it all clicked.
34:52Cedric never gave
34:53a damn who lived
34:54or died.
34:55Back when I couldn't
34:56pay, he said.
34:58No money,
34:59no care for Ethan.
35:00Let him rot.
35:02But now,
35:03he was willing
35:03to piss off Marcus
35:04just to keep Ethan
35:05breathing.
35:07The truth was,
35:09they had been
35:09working together
35:10all along.
35:12My rage flared up.
35:13I balled up my fists
35:15and was about to storm
35:16in when Marcus
35:16grabbed my arm.
35:18He patted the back
35:19of my hand,
35:20telling me to cool it.
35:23I gritted my teeth,
35:25swallowing my anger
35:26as I stepped back.
35:28Marcus stepped up
35:29to the bed.
35:30He stared down
35:31at Ethan,
35:32whose breathing
35:32was getting ragged.
35:36Get the hell up!
35:37He barked.
35:39You think I'm stupid
35:41or what?
35:44Ethan bolted upright
35:45and dropped
35:46to his knees.
35:48Cedric also flinched
35:50in terror,
35:51his legs giving out
35:52as he collapsed
35:52to the floor.
35:54Both of them
35:55went white as sheets,
35:56trembling as they
35:57begged for mercy.
35:58Mr. Livingston,
36:00we're sorry.
36:02We were just trying
36:03to scam some money
36:04together.
36:04We meant no harm.
36:06Marcus scoffed.
36:08No harm?
36:12Taking ten vials
36:13of Jeffrey's pheromones,
36:14is that what you call
36:15no harm?
36:20Cedric,
36:21I've always turned
36:22a blind eye
36:22to your antics
36:23out of respect
36:24for your dad.
36:25But you went
36:26after the wrong
36:27person this time.
36:28You're done.
36:30Right on cue,
36:31several bodyguards
36:32in sharp black suits
36:33showed up
36:33out of nowhere.
36:35They grabbed the two
36:36and hauled them out.
36:38Marcus wasn't
36:39rushing off,
36:40though.
36:40He took his sweet time
36:42going through the ledger,
36:43bossing his people
36:44around to load
36:45everything up.
36:47I was stunned.
36:49So he brought
36:50the whole crew
36:51to grab the money.
36:53I was wondering
36:54why we needed
36:54so many hands
36:55for just two guys.
36:57I could have
36:58handled them myself,
36:59quick and easy.
37:01It turned out
37:02that he needed muscle
37:03to move the goods.
37:07Get over here.
37:08Marcus waved me over.
37:10I sauntered up,
37:11playing it cool.
37:13Yeah?
37:14He pointed at
37:15where I had been standing.
37:17Pry that open.
37:18I glanced down
37:19at the ledger
37:20in his hands,
37:21puzzled.
37:22Why had they bought
37:23so much rubber?
37:25Curiosity burned in me,
37:26but I didn't dare
37:27open my mouth.
37:29Marcus' face darkened,
37:30and he looked
37:31seriously pissed,
37:32like he had walked
37:33in on his wife
37:34with another guy.
37:35The wooden planks
37:36gave way
37:37and cracked open,
37:38revealing a hidden tunnel
37:39stretching down
37:40into nothing.
37:42Marcus took my hand
37:43and pulled me in.
37:45It was cramped
37:46and dark at first,
37:47but pretty soon,
37:48it got brighter,
37:49and row after row
37:50of medical beds
37:51showed up,
37:52each with a body
37:53on it.
37:55I stepped up
37:56for a closer look.
37:59I mumbled,
38:01rubber products.
38:04Sex dolls,
38:05in other words.
38:07They pumped
38:08real pheromones
38:09into fake glands,
38:10so they looked
38:11exactly like living,
38:13breathing people.
38:15Rich people
38:16really have no limits
38:17when it comes
38:17to this stuff.
38:18I thought.
38:20I was about
38:21to tease Marcus,
38:22asking if he wanted
38:23to pick one out
38:24to practice on,
38:25when he started
38:26checking the numbers
38:26one by one.
38:27He went through
38:28the whole lot,
38:29then scowled
38:30and cursed
38:30under his breath.
38:32Shit,
38:33I knew it.
38:34Not here.
38:38What's not here?
38:40I asked.
38:41He shot me
38:41an irritated glance.
38:43Your pheromone batch.
38:46I froze
38:47for a split second,
38:48then stared
38:49back blankly.
38:50I laughed it off.
38:51Looks like I'm
38:52quite the valuable
38:53commodity.
38:53No wonder they said
38:54one vial
38:55and kept coming
38:55back for ten.
38:57I was really
38:58their cash cow.
38:59I flipped
39:00through the ledger,
39:01doing the math
39:02on how much
39:02Cedric had made
39:03off me.
39:04One vial
39:05of pheromones
39:06made two
39:06sex dolls
39:07and each
39:07sold for
39:08$30,000.
39:09That put him
39:10$550,000
39:11in my debt.
39:13I nudged Marcus,
39:15looking like
39:15a total
39:16cheapskate.
39:18Don't forget
39:19to wire the rest
39:20to my account
39:20later.
39:21But when I
39:22looked up,
39:23his face
39:23had gone
39:24even stormier.
39:27You know
39:28what those
39:28things are for,
39:29right?
39:29He snarled
39:30through his
39:30teeth.
39:32Yeah,
39:33obviously.
39:34I nodded.
39:35He threw
39:35his head
39:36back,
39:36took a deep
39:37breath,
39:37and laughed
39:38out of
39:38sheer
39:39frustration.
39:42Then get
39:42moving.
39:44You seriously
39:45want your
39:45sex doll
39:46ending up
39:46in some
39:46other guy's
39:47bed?
39:48I shrugged,
39:49not giving
39:49a damn.
39:51So what?
39:53Out of
39:54sight,
39:54out of
39:55mind.
39:55And honestly,
39:56I'm the
39:57last person
39:58who should
39:58feel embarrassed
39:58here.
39:59Marcus was
40:00left
40:00speechless.
40:01He seemed
40:02to think
40:02I had
40:02a point,
40:03but his
40:03face stayed
40:04stormy.
40:06I didn't
40:06know what
40:07got into
40:07me,
40:07but I
40:08snapped
40:08back
40:09uncharacteristically.
40:10And it
40:11meant it's
40:11my face
40:11on them.
40:13What's
40:13got you
40:14so worked
40:14up?
40:15I turned
40:15back to
40:16the pile
40:16of dolls,
40:17poking
40:17around like
40:18some kind
40:19of expert
40:19critiquing
40:20them.
40:21Pretty
40:21decent
40:22quality,
40:22though.
40:25Hey,
40:26maybe I'll
40:26open my
40:27own sex
40:27toy shop
40:28after the
40:28baby comes.
40:31I'm curious
40:31how they
40:32even make
40:32these.
40:35You should
40:35go squeeze
40:36Cedric
40:36for the
40:36details.
40:38But no
40:39real faces,
40:40or we're
40:41asking for
40:41lawsuits.
40:42I rattled
40:43on and
40:43on,
40:44but the
40:44guy next
40:45to me
40:45had gone
40:45dead
40:46silent.
40:47I
40:47glanced
40:47back,
40:48confused.
40:49Marcus
40:50was staring
40:50at me,
40:51his face
40:51blank.
40:52He
40:52sized me
40:53up from
40:53head to
40:53toe,
40:54his eyes
40:55dark and
40:55piercing.
40:57A good
40:57while passed
40:58before he
40:58snapped out
40:59of it,
41:00nodding like
41:00he had
41:00finally
41:01wised up.
41:02You're
41:03right.
41:04No point
41:05getting worked
41:05up.
41:05His voice
41:06was totally
41:06flat.
41:07No fight
41:08left in it
41:08at all.
41:10Something weird
41:11and twisty
41:11flared in my
41:12gut.
41:13I shook it
41:14off hard.
41:14I had no
41:15time for
41:15whatever that
41:16was.
41:17I had to
41:17deal with
41:18this whole
41:18mess and do
41:19my baby
41:19making duty.
41:21The doctor
41:22said my
41:23reproductive
41:23cavity was
41:24running low
41:25on juice.
41:26I was
41:26going to
41:27lose my
41:27mind too.
41:28Luckily,
41:29all that
41:30effort paid
41:30off.
41:33I finally
41:34got pregnant
41:35with our
41:35second baby.
41:36He grew
41:37fast,
41:37and my
41:38belly was
41:38starting to
41:39show in
41:39no time.
41:42Alfred kept
41:43circling around
41:43me every
41:44day,
41:44wanting to
41:45say something
41:46but holding
41:46back.
41:48I had my
41:49legs crossed,
41:50munching on
41:51an apple
41:51like I
41:51didn't have
41:52a care in
41:52the world.
41:57Hey,
41:57what's up?
41:58Got something
41:58to say?
41:59Just say it,
42:00or go practice
42:00your archery.
42:02He walked
42:02up to me,
42:04looking downcast.
42:07Are you
42:08going to be
42:08like those
42:09parents only
42:09caring about
42:10the baby
42:10brother and
42:11treating me
42:12like nothing?
42:13I found it
42:13kind of funny.
42:15No one
42:15would ever
42:16dare treat
42:16you like
42:17that.
42:21Marcus
42:21didn't
42:22seem like
42:22the type
42:23to play
42:23favorites.
42:25Me,
42:26once I
42:26popped
42:27this baby
42:27out,
42:28I'd
42:28leave.
42:33Marcus
42:34named
42:34our
42:34second
42:34baby
42:35Felix,
42:36saying he
42:36hoped the
42:37family would
42:37always be
42:38lively and
42:38bustling.
42:39He
42:40turned to
42:40ask what
42:41I thought,
42:41but I
42:42was fully
42:42focused on
42:43playing chess
42:43with Alfred.
42:45I waved
42:46my hand,
42:47and indicated
42:47that he
42:48could decide
42:48for himself.
42:49Even after
42:50I had been
42:50this obedient,
42:52Marcus was
42:52still dissatisfied
42:53and left
42:54with a cold
42:54face.
42:56So ungrateful.
42:58I clicked
42:58my tongue
42:59lightly.
43:01When he
43:02came back
43:02later,
43:03I would
43:03definitely
43:04curse him
43:04behind his
43:05back.
43:08Before I
43:09even had
43:09time to
43:10have a
43:10minor outburst,
43:11something
43:12happened to
43:12Marcus.
43:16Marcus.
43:17He got
43:17into a
43:17fight with
43:18someone at
43:18a banquet.
43:21When I
43:22went to
43:22pick him
43:22up,
43:24Marcus's
43:25pheromones
43:26were wildly
43:26leaking out
43:27of control.
43:30I was
43:30nearly
43:31overwhelmed
43:31by the
43:32sheer force
43:32of them.
43:34I covered
43:34my mouth
43:35and nose,
43:36took two
43:36steps forward
43:37into his
43:38line of
43:38sight.
43:39Marcus
43:39suddenly raised
43:40his eyes,
43:41reacting with
43:41the speed
43:42of a wild
43:42beast.
43:44Fortunately,
43:45he still
43:45recognized me.
43:47Those dark,
43:48heavy eyes
43:49quietly relaxed
43:50the moment
43:50they saw me
43:51clearly,
43:52shedding their
43:52guard.
43:54I also
43:54relaxed my
43:55tense back
43:56and walked
43:56over with
43:57the suppressant.
44:01Marcus
44:01sat on the
44:02sofa with
44:02his hands
44:03clasped and
44:04resting on
44:04his knees,
44:05his deep
44:05eyes unblinking
44:06as they fixed
44:07on my
44:07movements.
44:09His gaze
44:10was obscure,
44:11like a
44:11bottomless,
44:12dried up
44:13well that
44:13could not
44:14be seen
44:14through.
44:15I asked
44:16him while
44:16unpacking
44:17the suppressant,
44:18Why are
44:19you staring
44:19at me
44:20like that?
44:21Marcus
44:22said nothing
44:23and did
44:23not move
44:23his gaze
44:24away from
44:24me.
44:25Suddenly,
44:25he covered
44:26his face
44:27and laughed
44:27for no
44:28apparent
44:28reason.
44:29What was
44:29he thinking
44:30about?
44:30It was
44:31downright
44:32unsettling.
44:34Forget it
44:35if I was
44:36helping
44:36someone,
44:37I might
44:37as well
44:38see it
44:38through.
44:40I grabbed
44:41Marcus's
44:42arm,
44:42accurately
44:43inserted
44:43the needle
44:44into the
44:44vein.
44:46Just as
44:47I tossed
44:47the waste
44:48into the
44:48trash,
44:49prepared to
44:50leave,
44:50Marcus
44:51finally
44:51spoke.
44:54I can't.
44:55Marcus
44:56wrapped an
44:56arm around
44:57my waist.
44:58I can't
44:59calm down
45:00and I'm
45:00furious.
45:01When that
45:01Omega talked
45:02about your
45:02pheromone
45:03products today,
45:03I wanted
45:04nothing more
45:04than to
45:04tear him
45:05to pieces.
45:07I was
45:08startled by
45:08the ferocity
45:09in his
45:09eyes.
45:10My body
45:11instinctively
45:11retreated after
45:12sensing danger
45:13and I
45:14subconsciously
45:14assumed a
45:15stance ready
45:15to attack.
45:17Marcus
45:18closed his
45:18eyes briefly
45:19and forced
45:19that killing
45:20intent down.
45:21Don't be
45:22afraid,
45:23I won't
45:23hurt you.
45:25I was
45:26just a bit
45:27out of
45:27control.
45:27I'll be
45:28fine in a
45:28while.
45:30I nodded,
45:31unsure of
45:31what to
45:32say.
45:33I could
45:34only let
45:35Marcus press
45:35me down
45:36to sit
45:36on his
45:36lap.
45:37He lowered
45:38his head
45:39to greedily
45:39inhale the
45:40scent of
45:40my glands.
45:43He raised
45:44a hand to
45:45touch my
45:45round belly
45:46and discussed
45:46it with
45:47me.
45:48After the
45:48child is
45:49born,
45:49stay.
45:51Shall we
45:52live together?
45:55I looked
45:56down at
45:56his hand,
45:57those fingers
45:58that had
45:58broken bones
45:59pulled
46:00triggers,
46:01now resting
46:01so gently
46:02on the
46:02swell of
46:03my
46:03pregnancy.
46:04I covered
46:05his hand
46:05with mine.
46:08Okay.
46:09I was
46:09lying.
46:10After the
46:11second baby's
46:12full moon
46:12ceremony,
46:13I was ready
46:14to run.
46:17The moment
46:18I stepped
46:19out the
46:19front door,
46:20more than
46:20a dozen
46:21bodyguards
46:21followed
46:22behind me.
46:24I was
46:25furious and
46:26called Marcus.
46:28You bastard.
46:29What do
46:29you mean
46:30by this?
46:30You're
46:30spying
46:31on me.
46:31On the
46:32other end
46:32of the
46:32line came
46:33Marcus's
46:33extremely
46:34delighted
46:35laughter.
46:37Jeffrey,
46:38from the
46:38moment you
46:39agreed to
46:39stay with
46:40me,
46:40there was
46:41no way
46:41out.
46:42Come
46:43back
46:43now.
46:46Tonight,
46:47we'll try
46:48something new.
46:49Fuck,
46:49now it
46:50was done.
46:51I had
46:51fallen into
46:52Marcus's
46:53hand.
46:55For the
46:56rest of
46:56my life,
46:57I could
46:57only let
46:58him do
46:58whatever
46:58he wanted.
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