Snake raked his gaze over me. “What’s your offer?” His smirk turned slack right before his body spasmed. He fell on the ground, flailing like a fish, and revealed Yola lowering her stun gun behind him. Right next to the building, two burly bouncers lay unconscious in the bushes.
“Way to go, Yola.” I grinned at her, but she only nodded and raked her hand through her short black hair.
“Help me load him up.” She nudged Snake with her boot and spat on the ground by his head.
Ole wiggled out of my grasp, stood up, and tightened the blanket around his waist. His shoulders rose and fell with deep breaths, and then he kicked Snake in the ribs with a grunt.
He took the man’s other foot and looked between Yola and me. “Are we loading him or not?”
“One second.” I lifted a finger to Yola and turned to my Ole. “Where do you want me to take you?”
His lip trembled, but he thrust his chin up. “I have nowhere to go. So just drop me somewhere on your way. I’ll be fine.”
“If that’s your choice. But you can come with me. To my house.”
He stiffened, looking around.
A tear rolled down his cheek, but he swiped it with the back of his hand. “Yeah. You’re my best chance at survival.”
“I won’t hurt you, you know this, Ole. I may let you down, though.”
“You’re not so bad for an alpha, Eldin.” Ole pecked my cheek, sending a rush of warmth to my chest.
“Yo, guys!” Yola whisper-shouted, then pointed at Ole. “I like you, so I’ll tell you that Eldin here is a good guy, and if he gives you shit, I’ll help you beat his ass. But now—” She nodded at me and the unconscious trash on the floor. “Hurry up, Eldin.” She smirked. “Revenge is waiting to be served.”
“Fuck yeah,” Ole said and grunted as we picked up Snake.
After gagging and tying him in the trunk, we climbed into the car with Yola behind the wheel and me at the back, holding Ole close.
The scent of his hair and the warmth of his body next to mine soothed me with the knowledge that he was safe. My chest expanded with deep breaths as I vowed that I’d give my life to keep him from danger and make sure he’d be happy. Hopefully, he’d let me stay in his life.
With the sun behind us, we drove towards revenge and a better future.
Epilogue
Ayear had passed since we handed Snake to families who wanted revenge. We hadn’t witnessed his heart stopping, but we stayed long enough to know he’d never stand up and leave that place, much less hurt or kidnap anyone.
After a month of Ole living with me, he’d come out of his shell, smiling more and willing to explore the premises. I’d sold my big house, and we picked a smaller one together, one that we made our home. We didn’t need staff to help much, just a housekeeper visiting from time to time when we were away.
Ole insisted on helping me track down scum, but I agreed to take him only when there was no way he could get hurt. Every fiber of my being screamedmineandprotect, but I refused to lock him in a cage, even if it was made of gold.
He trained intensely with weapons and we practiced martial arts together, the workouts leading to sex on the grass in our garden or the mats in the gym room. As much as it pained me to put him in any danger, having him next to me gave me the will to help more omegas like him, and catch more Alphas abusing their power. Ole had the natural gift of calming the omegas we saved, soothing them and making them feel safe in his presence much more than me or even Yola ever could. We’d created a solid team and Ole was now a crucial part of it.
Today marked a year from the night we’d met and six months since we exchanged a mating bite. I’d spent the day preparing a meal worth the love of my life, using the vegetables that Ole had grown in our garden. He could buy anything he wanted, but he’d chosen to do it, saying he might as well turn his farming skills into something for his own advantage.
I set the table and returned to the kitchen to take the roast out of the oven. Ole’s favorite cheesecake was already cooling in the fridge. He’d been gone just a few hours, but my entire being was missing him as if he’d taken a part of me with him. Which was exactly the case. He was my world, and he owned my heart. But if he insisted on going somewhere alone, no matter how much I worried, I let him go, then waited like a dog for him to return to me. And he always did.
The door burst open, and the wind brought the scent of summer, the freshly bloomed wisteria, and Ole. My Oleander.
I fucked him often enough for him to carry my smell, even if he’d been gone for hours. He was mine, and I was his.
Ole jumped into my arms so quickly I was glad of my fast reflexes. He loved keeping me on my toes. I cupped his pert ass in my hands and kissed the smile on his lips. Carrying him outside, I welcomed the quiet and privacy of our garden that held memories of our impromptu picnics and star gazing. Ole’s hair was lighter from his time in the sun, his complexion healthy, his smile reaching his eyes.
I loved seeing him so happy. I lovedhim.
“What took you so long?” I teased and squeezed his ass.
He woodpeckered kisses all over my face, then slid to the ground. “I have a surprise for you.” He bit his lip and handed me a small box from one of the shopping bags he’d set on the patio. “Happy anniversary.” He rocked back on his heels, watching me handle the package as if it was a bomb about to go off.
