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 eyes opened for a brief second before they closed again and Zen let out a sigh of relief he didn't realize he held for so long.

Just like any other person that got knocked unconscious Lithe was coming out of the stun with a sense of disorientation.

It was going to take Lithe a while to get his bearings because he would not immediately remember what knocked him out or even how long he had been out cold.

Lithe was relieved to be in Zen's warm embrace again and it made the pain bearable.

He felt a lot of confusion as he tried to remember what happened prior to him just waking up, with the look of a lost puppy Lithe exhibited hurt and fear.

This was the most danger his life had ever been in and Lithe hated every second of it but there was also a part of him that blamed himself.

Perhaps whatever he did in a past life brought this ordeal upon himself.

Freed from captivity