NixOrtikal

CQ 2024 entry.
When Lithe Hildebrand hires Zen Starke to retrieve stolen property belonging to the Maximillian Tribe nothing goes according to plan. 
Lithe, a workaholic and perfectionist, convinces Zen to let him go on the dangerous mission with him for fear that if mishandled it could ruin his reputation and career.
Intrigued, Zen is determined to keep his potential mate by his side at all costs.
For he’s never met anyone as captivating and sensuous as Lithe. 
When Lithe’s life is threatened, Zen makes a bargain to protect Lithe if he pretends to be his fiancé. 
Pressed for time, Lithe agrees since Zen is nothing like the media portrays him to be.
As a recessive omega he finds the dominant alpha irresistibly charismatic and fiercely loyal.
The problem is the feelings are mutual.
Despite their differences, the lovers embark on a dangerous quest that gets them more than they bargain for when they encounter murder, deception and the gift of everlasting love.

Zen's Gift

Lithe too felt some kind of way when Zen withdrew like that so he two moved his hands and curled them into a ball at his sides.

He blurted out with lots of feeling and emotion, "I've calmed down now but I hated that you put me on the spot like that, especially in front of the Maximillian Tribe. It felt like you were trying to ruin my life and everything I have worked hard to achieve."

Ever since the day he hired a Starke to find the family journal for the Maximilians everything in his life had gone awry.

"This morning we slept together. That is something I wanted to keep private but you announced something so personal in front of the main family of the Maximilian Tribe. You announced to everyone that we were true mates, something the Maximillian Tribe equated to being married. What's even worse is that they never doubted you for a minute, they just accepted what you said with blind faith."

Blind faith