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

Upon hearing the voice Lithe turned around to look the woman up and down.

She looked like the coward, he remembered the woman who got up off the log and when he sat down beside her and returned to her friends that scorned him.

So her dead sister was apparently a part of a group from the clan who did not support Lithe being Zen's true mate.

Was she here to stir up trouble and attack Lithe at a time when she knew no one would be able to come to Lithe's rescue.

Did she blame Lithe for her sister's death?

After his tumble in bed with Zen he hardly had any time to recoup his energy, he was sluggish and feeling drained. The last thing he wanted to do was have another showdown or battle to the death for the position of Wolf King Zen's consort.

"You're like a succubus," she murmured while licking her lips, "no wonder wolf king Zen is going crazy possessive over you. Your heavenly scented pheromones are driving me nuts."

Cloud his mind