Chapter 57 - There's nothing to consider

"I know it is your job to keep the town safe, of course, you are merely doing your job. But you have been putting that snout of yours in the wrong place. Maybe I should have bought a muzzle instead," There was smugness in that smooth voice.

'What?' 

"No?" The younger man urged. "I am certain it will look good especially on you, though." 

The older man refused to back down when the younger stepped into his personal space as he held back his tongue. The previous words finally registered in him. How had he forgotten? 

This man was a pervert, a sick fuċk that took pŀėȧsurė and satisfaction-- one that fed on the sick sense of exhilaration in tormenting others. It wasn't like Lynn cared about his sėxuȧŀ preference, but among the Queen's private secretarial officers, Zion had the reputation for breaking countless Alpha's wills apart. 

He had strong intuition, they said. True, no Male Alpha would want to submit, but this man… he knew how to pick his prey. It was terrifying that he knew when to strike. 

"The offer still stands, you know?" Warm breaths puffed into his ear and Lynn flinched openly, this time taking a huge step back. 

He had wanted to take more steps but was stopped by a gloved hand clasped around his wrist, restraining his movements. The fabric of the glove rubbed against his nȧkėd wrist and the thumb ċȧrėssed his knuckles. 

"When this is all over, you won't be needed anymore. You know that, don't you?" The question felt like a direct stab in Lynn's ċhėst, trying to dig out every inch of his unease. 

"No… That's not--" Lynn tried to deflect. There was nothing more than wanting to drop the topic altogether. But… 

Lynn bit at his lower lip. Of course he knew that. How could he not know? He had thought of it over and over, it had been in his mind since forever. 

Once this was over, he wouldn't be needed anymore. An old dog like him, might as well just be discarded. He also wouldn't have any more reason to stay by HIS side anymore. 

He always felt terrible at the slight relief when they failed to bring down the syndicate. He was still useful, useful enough to stay and not thrown away. Every time he thought of that, he felt shame washed over him. 

He was disgusted with himself. The guilt that followed took his breath away, making him breathless. 

Zion watched the older man carefully, lips stretched into a wicked grin that had set Lynn on edge, but the younger man's words sounded sincere and honest. "I just wish to help. I am able to offer you a place you can call home, you can stay with me. I will even take care of you, like how you used to--" 

The world stilled in the next stretch of breath as indiscernible words rammed stubbornly and relentlessly in the gray-haired Alpha's skull, filling his head with buzzing noise. 

The air was suddenly so thick and Lynn couldn't help but take short rapid breaths. His heart was hammering violently inside his ċhėst. 

"--Don't you think so? What do you say?" 

He dimly heard Zion coaxing him. Lynn didn't know what he was hoping for or even begging for in his mind, but he knew he was desperate for something, anything. 

"N--No." Lynn stuttered out softly. 

"No." He repeated sternly, cutting through the air and it was too a dazzling moment for Lynn to realize that he was the one saying it and how much he wanted to say that. "I refuse." 

Zion's eyes narrowed, sliding into a calculating gaze. "Why not? Why don't you think about it? There's no need to answer me now, take your time." He said with a sickly gentle tone. 

Lynn's stomach had churned at how sweet it sounded. "Like I told you before, even if I don't have a place in the Rodericks, I am not desperate enough to lower myself as low as a house dog." He spoke, grinding his teeth. 

"You shouldn't be hasty with your decision. Think it over," Zion had said, taking no regard to Lynn's words, except his actions contradicted his honey dipped words. 

The gentle ċȧrėss now pressed, digging into his knuckles and Lynn winced when his wrist was squeezed harshly. It would be leaving marks for sure. 

It seemed this man wasn't used to being rejected as the idly buzzing Alpha pheromones from Zion had ascended to burning rage. He pulled on Lynn's wrist diagonally, closing the distance between the two as he pushed his face inches apart from the older man. 

Two pairs of almost identical shades of brown clashed. The one with a lighter shade of brown had widened at close proximity, while the other one glinted with red tint only twinkled in amusement. 

"Now, now. You make me regret handing such valuable information to you and what did I get in return? Rejection." He sneered. 

"There was never a thing to consider." Lynn replied, his tone sharp and icy cold. It even amazed him that he was able to produce such a voice in this situation. 

"Then…" The younger man drawled. "Consider it in your debt." 

It was then Lynn felt the structure of snapshots being pressed into his palms, those he didn't manage to get a good look at. The younger Alpha had released his grip from Lynn's wrist; which he felt left a lingering throb; and landed heavily on the other's shoulder. 

He patted Lynn on the shoulder, dusting off the imaginary dust on it and smoothing out the wrinkles on his suit. "Remember your debt, I will come back with interest--" 

Zion pulled Lynn by the collar of his suit until their faces were so close that the older man could feel the heat radiating and caught a whiff of musky scent. "And you are welcome." 

The brown-haired man smiled at him, brushing his cheek with the back of his hand before leaving. 

Lynn's heart thumped, trying to calm the internal conflict that was wreaking havoc inside of him as he watched the image of the younger man's back drifted away. 

'What had he gotten himself into?!'