Chapter 16

Lincoln

I had held her hand. And I could still feel the way her skin felt against mine an hour later. I kept flexing my fingers into my palm like she was still there.

This was a dangerous , dangerous game I was playing and honestly I didn’t know why I was playing it. Except I couldn’t seem to stay away from her. She was like a flame and I was moth powerless to do anything but fly into her fire.

The grunt of the man in front of me brought me back to reality with a thump that was more painful that the fist that had landed on his stomach and doubled him off , winded.

I lifted my eyes to him. At the skeletal body and the rags that covered him. He was a beta and worse than that he was a thief.

I hated thieves.

“What did he take?” My hand closed to a fist at my sides and I leant back.  “What did you take?” I aimed my question at him. And was met with a resounding silence.

“If it was food or-“

“He was on the top floor.” My second is command and the most trustworthy beta I had ever met answered finally.

That got my attention. The top floor. One whole floor above my own private residence. To get there he would have to get through all of my security.

All of it. Which was meant to be impossible. Unless he had help.

My eyes narrowed. “Who are you working for?” I said through gritted teeth and he paled under the dirt and grime that coated his face.  “I’m not Alpha Lincoln. I’m working for no one.” He stammered , and the panic was so thick on his voice that I could taste it. “I was just looking for food and-“

“Liar.” I was off the throne like chair in an instant. My hands gripping the front of his ragged shirt as I lifted him fully off of his feet. Twisting the material cruelly into his throat and cutting off his breathing. The tips of his toes brushed against the antique flooring as he choked. Before I lifted him further. “There is no food on that level. There is only treasure. So what was you trying to steal from me?” My voice shook with the effort it was taking not to kill right here and now. I wanted to do that. Rip his throat out with my teeth and bathe in his blood.

A growl rumbled from me and he pissed himself. The drops spattered over my boots. My nose wrinkled at the overwhelming stench of it.

Asshole had not only pissed himself but he had also pissed on me.

“I’ll give you one more chance to tell me the truth.” I said in a low manacing voice. “I want to know what you were sent to take from me.”

“A watch.” He whispered. “There’s a watch.”

My hand loosened slightly so his feet finally met the floor again. “You risked your life for a watch?” I had several in my collection but none of them were priceless. Pretty trinkets that no longer worked. I hadn’t ever seen a working time piece. “What’s so special-“

“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “All I know is that he is looking for a watch. He’s collecting them and -“

“Who is?”

His widened into saucers like he had just realised he had said too much and could no longer pretend that he was working alone.

“Who sent you to steal from me?”

“I can’t. I’m sorry Alpha Lincoln but I can’t tell you. He’s scarier than you. If I tell you then he will kill me.”

I threw him away like the trash he was with a loud booming laugh. “And you think I won’t kill you.”

He rolled onto his back, clearly winded. “The punishment for stealing is the hand.”

“So it is.” I stalked toward him, aiming my boot into his ribs. I felt one crunch. “So I’ll make sure to take your arm first.” Leaning forward I forced him to look into my eyes. “And then I’ll take the other one and the rest of you piece by piece. You’re scared of the wrong alpha thief.” Another kick and I stepped away. “Take him to the zoo. Do what needs to be done.” I ordered.

The main on the floor wailed. Screaming painfully loud. “Please alpha, please have mercy. Please don’t take me there.”

Ignoring him I walked away. I was glad he knew what happened at my other home. It would help loosen his tongue.

“Take him and make sure he is secured. Make sure this whole building is in lockdown. No one gets in or out until we know who is moving against us.” Pushing out the door I paused. “Let me know if he starts talking. In fact, make sure he talks. I’m going to take a bath. I have piss over my leg.”

There was a murmur of agreement and then more screaming but I ignored it all as I took the stairs upwards and towards my bathroom.

Running water. It was a luxury most of the world didn’t have anymore. Filling the tub took a long time but that was fine. I could wait. It gave me time to think.

Finally it was full enough for me to strip down and sink into the Luke warm water. Not hot, I wasn’t that lucky but we were working on it.

Laying back I closed my eyes and tried to force myself to relax.  It would have been easy if the smell of piss and filth weren’t clinging to me. They masked the fresh smell of Hopes omega hormones.

Lifting the hand that had held hers I brought it to face and sniffed deeply. She was still there just faded. And even if it was faint it instantly made me groan.

My cock sprang to life. Curving up and out of the water. Throbbing with the need I had promised myself I would never give in to.

Omegas in the pleasure houses I could allow myself but I wouldn’t take one as my companion. I had sworn to myself years ago after seeing what my father put my mother through that I would never be that man and it was a vow I would keep.

It didn’t matter how much I wanted Hope or how much her scent drove me wild. I wouldn’t take her as my companion.

I would not take her into my bed and stretch her pussy around my knot. Not even if it meant I could care and treasure her like she deserved.

People were out to get me and something was going on with the other alpha. Clearly one of them was looking for something important.

A watch of all things.

So it didn’t matter how much I wanted her. Or how many times she invaded my dreams. I couldn’t take her. All I could do was try and find her an alpha who would cherish her.

No vampires.  No blood suckers. That was out of the question. Hope would never survive it.

Without thinking I curled my spare hand around the base of my cock and began to fist my cock up and down.  I couldn’t take her but I could think about her as I touched myself.

I could imagine how she would feel and taste under me with the scent of her fingers in my nose.

That I could allow myself.

A few minutes of pure fantasy before I shot my load and wished it was inside of her.