Chapter 8

Diego

As the night deepened, I found myself once again facing the dilemma of where to sleep. We slept together last time. I thought I could sleep on the couch and he could sleep in my bed, but I didn't want to do that, in the end. Given what I was feeling at the moment, I thought I was going to reach the same conclusion again.

I couldn't help but think about the good moment we shared together, playing PlayStation. I knew that his opinion of me changed after that. It still wasn't enough of course. I had to do more so he was more malleable.

I rose from the couch, my eyes fixed on Rowan's sleeping form. He looked peaceful, his breath soft and even, and I knew that I should let him rest. But a needy part of me, the alpha, wanted to claim what was mine.

I had never felt such an obsession. I couldn't help but wonder if he was the one meant to be with me. We met our fated mates by accident. At least, for us here shifters in the big city, it was like that.

With deliberate steps, I approached the bed, my eyes never leaving his face. His eyelashes fluttered as he stirred, his eyes opening to meet mine. He must have smelled me and immediately woke up. That was exactly the kind of reaction I was hoping to provoke. I didn't feel at all bad about it.

"What are you doing?" He whispered, sounding groggy. He was already in deep sleep.

I smirked, my gaze raking over his form, taking in the way the moonlight caressed his skin. He was a cute rabbit shifter, making my cock stir slightly.

"I'm sleeping with you again. Just changed my mind," I said, my voice low and commanding. "Move over. I know you want that to happen as much as I do."

He bit his lip, his eyes flicking to the door as if searching for an escape route. None existed, of course. He already knew that, but still couldn't help but try to get out of here.

"I-I don't think that's a good idea," he stammered, his cheeks flushing slightly. Given his reaction, I could tell he wasn't a good liar. He wanted me to tuck myself under the blanket with him, allowing him to feel the warmth emanating from my body.

I took a menacing step toward the bed, my eyes flashing with warning. "You don't get a choice, omega," I growled. "After all, I know you want to do this with me. Why deny yourself something you want so much?"

His breath hitched, his eyes widening as he took in my intense gaze. "Y-you can't just say something like that," he said, his voice shaking slightly.

He thought that saying that was going to make me change my mind? What a ridiculous notion.

I smirked, my eyes darkening as I took another step closer. "Watch me," I said, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. "I always get what I want and, right now, this is everything I need."

His cheeks flushed, his eyes darting around the room as if seeking a way out. But deep down, again, I knew he wanted this, wanted me, just as much as I wanted him.

He was a person just like I was and had his needs. I could satisfy them, if he allowed me.

With hesitant movements, he shuffled over, making space for me in the bed. I climbed in, my eyes never leaving his face, and pulled him close, my arms wrapping around his slender frame. His body was warm and comforting.

He stiffened at first, his body tense, but slowly, he relaxed into my embrace, his breath evening out. Confirming what I already knew, this soothed his racing thoughts.

I held him close, my nose buried in his hair, inhaling his scent. I wanted to brand him as mine, to mark him so that everyone would know he belonged to me.

The feeling was new to me. More and more, I was beginning to think that he was always meant to be mine. Who would've thought that someone who owed money to the cartel was my fated mate?

Now, there was only one requirement left. Given how much our connection was growing, I was beginning to think that it would happen soon. Perhaps even sooner than I had expected.

But I held back, knowing that such an action would only complicate our already complex situation. After all, I wanted to take things slowly with him.

As I lay there, my body pressed against his, I felt his heart racing, his breath quickening. He wanted me, I could sense it, but his fear held him back. I had to do something about it, and I was. As long as he was with me, I would continue to help him.

I wanted to push him, to show him that giving in to our desires wasn't a weakness. He didn't have to fear me as much as he thought he had to. Under my watch, he was as safe as he could be. Not even the boss could touch him under that condition.

With gentle fingers, I stroked his chest, my touch feather-light as I traced patterns on his skin. I was doing this because of how much he wanted me. It wasn't even a question. If there was something I could tell well, it was if someone wanted me or not.

He shivered at my touch, his breath catching in his throat. "Relax, Rowan," I whispered, my lips brushing his ear. "Let me show you how good this can be. I know how much your body earns for it."

He nodded, his eyes closed as he surrendered to my touch. Finally, it was happening. He was giving himself completely to me.

My fingers trailed lower, my hand cupping his growing erection through the fabric of his pajama pants. He gasped, his hips bucking slightly as I squeezed gently. Calm down, I thought. I'm being careful with you.

"You like that, omega?" I murmured, my lips trailing down his neck, my teeth nipping at his sensitive skin. He squirmed, already answering my question without using words. "You want more? Tell me how much more you want."

He nodded again, his breath coming in short gasps as I stroked him through the fabric. With a gentle tug, I pulled his pants down, exposing his hardening cock. Despite the low lighting, it was a beautiful sight.

He whimpered, his hips thrusting involuntarily as I wrapped my hand around him. He could hardly resist me.

"You're so responsive," I whispered, my lips brushing his ear. "So eager for my touch. You want so much more."

I stroked him slowly, my thumb rubbing over the head of his cock, spreading the pre-come that had gathered there. He moaned, his body arching into my touch, and I pressed my own erection against his backside, letting him feel my size, my need for him. He needed to be reassured about how much I wanted him. I didn't want to leave any room for doubt.

"You feel that, omega?" I growled, my lips trailing down his spine. "That's how much I want you. I want every part of your body."

He whimpered, his body trembling as I continued to stroke him, my touch firm and sure. "Please," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "I-I need— I need all of you."

He said the magical words. That was exactly what I wanted to hear from him.

So, I quickened my pace, my hand moving faster, my thumb rubbing over the sensitive tip of his cock. "Come for me, Rowan," I growled, my lips pressing against his shoulder. "Let me feel you fall apart. I want nothing more than that."

His breath hitched, his body tensing as he teetered on the edge. He was close, so close. He was only thinking about the pleasure he was going to feel as his climax ripped through his body

"Diego," he moaned, panting a lot. "I-I can't hold on—"

With a final thrust of my hips, I pushed him over the edge, his body shaking as he came in my hand, his release coating my fingers. I growled, my own need intensifying as I felt his release. It was sticky and warm, just as I imagined it was.

I wanted to take him, to claim him fully, but I held back, saving the best for another moment. I wanted to savor Rowan as much as possible before I took him completely for myself.

I pulled him close, his spent body pressed against mine, and breathed in his scent, his taste still lingering on my lips. It was so uniquely his.

"Sleep, Rowan," I whispered, my lips brushing his hair. "A lot will happen tomorrow and I want you to be prepared."

As his breath evened out, his body relaxing into mine, I felt a strange sense of peace wash over me. I wanted to protect him, to keep him safe from the dangers that lurked outside these walls. As long as it depended on me, I was going to do just that.

But more than that, I wanted him, wanted to possess him fully, to claim him as mine. Only later, of course. Not right now. It just wouldn't feel right.

The next morning, I woke before him, my body still humming with the memory of the previous night. I gazed down at his sleeping form, his eyelashes fluttering as he dreamed, and I felt a surge of something unfamiliar in my chest.

Leaning down, I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, my lips lingering for a moment. Was I feeling something for this omega? Something beyond the physical attraction and the need to protect him? Could that really be happening?

I shook my head, unwilling to dwell on such thoughts. I didn't have the time for that. I had something more important to do.

I rose from the bed, my eyes never leaving his face as I made my way to the kitchen. He looked adorable, which only reinforced my need to protect him.

I needed to focus on the task at hand, on keeping him safe and fed. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel good about myself, and suffice it to say that wasn't something that happened often.

I pushed aside the confusing emotions that stirred within me, knowing they would only complicate our already complex situation. I didn't need to make things harder for myself.

The scent of bacon and eggs filled the air, and soon, I heard Rowan stirring, his eyes blinking open as he took in his surroundings. For a moment, he looked disoriented, but then he remembered he was here with me and not back at his place.

His eyes widened as he caught a whiff of the food, and he sat up, his gaze flicking to me.

"Good morning," I said, my voice gruff as I stirred the eggs in the pan. This time, I was putting in more effort while making breakfast. I wanted it to be perfect. "I hope you're hungry."

He nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement at the sight of the food. What happened last night changed his mind about me and staying here with me, it seemed.

"It smells amazing," he said, his voice soft. As usual, his voice was like music to my ears. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

I grunted in acknowledgment, turning back to the stove. I kind of didn't know how to react to that. It wasn't every day people thanked me for something I did. Usually, people just hated me. "Eat up," I said, my voice rough. "We've got a long day ahead of us."

He nodded again, his eyes downcast as he pushed himself up from the bed. As he made his way to the table, his eyes flicking to me, a hesitant smile on his lips, I felt a rush of something akin to warmth spread through me.

I wanted to take him again as many times as my body could handle. But right now wasn't the time for that. Later tonight, though, would be different.

Shaking my head, I turned back to the stove, focusing on the task at hand. I was keeping him captive, keeping him safe, and that was all that mattered.

I felt at peace with my actions.