#stratsandwhiskeywritestuff

“Are you a gambling man, Will?”

Will blinked. “I’ve never had the time or means.”

“You have both now,” Hannibal spread a palm at his side, a strangely welcoming gesture. “You seek independence from an Alpha, but the opportunities only a bond could provide, correct?”

Will nodded slowly, eyes narrowing as he flicked them between the doctor’s own.

“I seek a companion with whom to build a life and family, going forward.”

Will shook his head slowly. “I don’t follow.”

Will is an Omega who desires independence, freedom, and the opportunity to be anything but a barefoot-pup-bearing simpering thing. Hannibal is an Alpha who finds his mind curious.

They make a deal: if Will can convince Hannibal before his next heat that he is worth more than breeding stock, and can go through his heat without begging for his Alpha, Hannibal will not mate him, but make him a ward instead; Will could go to college, get a job, do anything he wanted.

If not, then he will be Hannibal's mate, bear pups, and accept his role.

"I think about you like this often," Hannibal admitted quietly, the words tickling against Will's skin. "Pliant and beautiful for me."

"Obedient?" Will added, amused.

"Are you obedient, Will?" Hannibal teased. Sharp nails down Will's side were eased with soft fingertips as Hannibal continued to hold him still. "If I tell you to wait, will you complain?"

"Wait for how long?" Will asked, feeling Hannibal's laugh against his ribs. "And for what?"

“Money, power, or breeding rights.”

“What?”

Will blinked, lifting his eyes to Jack, who now stood much closer with his unintroduced companion a step behind him.

“Motive,” Will replied, setting his hands to his knees to lever himself up to stand. He peeled his gloves off and wiped his palms against his jeans. “The three most likely reasons for murder are always money, power, or breeding rights.”

“You’ll be happy to know there’s nothing wrong. You’ve got a small litter, that’s all, just the one pup.”

Will stiffened. “One?” It wasn’t unheard of, but it was rare.

“If I may, Mr. Graham, you’re very young to be having a litter,” the doctor said gently.

“I’m on my porch in the mornings,” he emphasized, “and you have no curtains.”

“I’m aware.”

It took Will another moment to understand, growing redder all the while. His neighbor kept smiling that knowing smile.

“My name is Hannibal,” he said. “Would you like to come inside?”

Will knew how to play a role, and he’d learned to play them well. He pushed himself onto his toes, though he was not much smaller than Hannibal, and fluttered his eyelashes. “I’m bored,” he whispered, soft and breathy, “can we go home now?”

Hannibal smiled and nuzzled into his temple. “You’re only bored because no one else will match wits with you,” he said fondly.

“They say a storm’s coming through, tomorrow we might have more snow than we’ve had here in years.”

“Good,” Will sighed against him. “Snow us in, keep the world away. I don’t want to be anywhere but here.”

It's Christmas in Everything Nice verse! And as a gift, we have TheSeaVoices' stunning art for this story at the bottom for you!

There is sex in this chapter, but not in little-space <3