Sensitive Pornograph

Derek met the Beta’s gaze, showing no fear nor anger, simply waiting for Cristian to either agree or disagree. The guard not trusting him didn’t bother him, but the fact Derek didn’t trust him either meant he didn’t want this Thomas listening to the conversation he wanted to have with the Omega. The wolf was just doing his job, and maybe he had a strong bond with the one he swore to protect, but he had no business staying around–all the Alpha wanted to do was talk.

A better person would graciously accept the apology, absolve Derek of his guilt and send him on his way. A better omega would humbly bow and scrape, astonished that an alpha would so debase himself. Cristian was neither.

“If Nim’s got nap time, I would be happy to keep her company.” Stiles said. He waited a beat to clarify.

Cristian snorted. continuing to scrutinize the other wolf. He was aware that something big was going on, it would be impossible not to. Thomas had been joined by two additional McCall guards with instructions that their presence was non-negotiable if he wanted to leave the estate. The specifics were less clear, and while he was certain Stiles had them, it was doubtful that he’d share. 

Derek noticed the way Cristian’s tensed at the sound of his voice, the whimper that left the child’s mouth making the Alpha look away from her. Green eyes settled on the guard that took the pacifier, Derek assuming either the Beta had noticed the way the Omega responded or he was aware of what happened, wondering if Scott knew as well. That rose another question however–if the True Alpha knew Derek hurt Cristian, why hadn’t he gone after him already?

Thomas met the alpha’s gaze steadily, his face a smooth mask save for a slightly furrowed brow. It was as damning as any spoken judgment for the disciplined beta-guard. He was well aware of what had transpired in his absence, and while he rested equal blame on himself, that still left a healthy amount to lay at Derek’s feet. 

“Didn’ ask yeh fer tha sandwich did Ah? Was lookin’ fer a good place an’ not this shite called ‘Subway’”

Cristian shook his head. “The only sandwich I have any expertise with these days is the PB&J.” Nim had been on a bit of a kick, but only with the crusts trimmed off.

Wot am Ah doin’ here?

“Dude, do I look like a Subway to you?”

“Maybe it’s time to pack a bigger bag.”

“This one already weighs ten pounds.” Shifting Nim on his hip, he gave the other omega a long look, taking note of the deep bruises under both eyes. “You look like you need a few more naps.” 

“Still,” Derek said, offering the pacifier the child had dropped back to her father. “Shouldn’t be tossing them out like that.” The Alpha’s gaze dropped from the Omega to Nimue, lips pressing together slightly. “I see you are recovering well.”

A shiver went through Cristian at the sound of Derek’s voice, prompting Nim to whimper as he went perfectly still. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to relax. “Thank you,” he murmured, grateful when Thomas quietly plucked the wayward pacifier from Derek’s hand without being asked. 

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know she was close enough to grab it.” Allison frowned, crouching to pick up the pacifier that Victoria had seconds before grabbed away from Nim, before the baby had thrown it on the ground.

“No problem.” Cristian accepted the wayward pacifier with a smile, tucking it in his pocket before Nim could reclaim it “Victoria, right? She’s getting big!” He made note of Allison’s security detail at the same time he felt his own shift closer. All of the packs had stepped up their security, unwilling to take chances. “She looks great, though.”

Kate held up her hands in mock surrender. It would be a slow process to win this boy’s trust, but she was a patient hunter who had waited this long to get what she wanted. Moving slowly was better than watching it all tumble, this was too important to mess up. If she could set the fires of rebellion here, then it would spread and omegas all over the world would finally be able to rise up against their oppressors. The first step would be to drive a wedge between him and the McCalls, his loyalty to her would come later.

Dark eyes studied her for another long moment, his thoughts whirling. When he came down to it, he was still all but alone in the world. He trusted Scott, to a point, but a newly discovered brother would never warrant the same protection as his children or his mate. No, the only person that had his and his daughter’s best interests in mind was him.

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Derek didn’t want to kill Cristian. Not because of who he was related to or what pack he belonged to, not even because he had a little girl that needed him. The Omega as a person wasn’t the reason the Alpha’s hand trembled as the other ran out of air, not why his pulse was rising in panic because Cristian’s was slowing down. Derek couldn’t take a life, it was as simple as that, his only motivation for ever wanting someone dead being the protection of those he cared for.

Cristian’s knees buckled the moment his feet hit the ground. He collapsed against the wall like a ragdoll, struggling desperately to remain conscious. Every breath rattled in his chest now, and he couldn’t seem to get enough air. “She was... there... when an alpha... died.” 

What the hell was wrong with Cristian? The Omega was set on defying Derek even after he’d threaten his life, even after he physically hurt him. Was the information he was holding really worth that? Had Kate send him specifically because he was a McCall? Because she knew Derek couldn’t afford to make enemies, because he wouldn’t take a life? If she was indeed behind the male’s behavior, she’d done an excellent job at gaining his loyalty, or brainwashing him.

Cristian had been fighting his entire life. He’d fought so hard and long that sometimes he couldn’t stop, resisting even when to fight was futility. Smart enough to know he couldn’t win against Derek, still he rebelled at being used and manipulated by even one more alpha.