CHAPTER 34: KIDNAPPED AND SOLD ON THE BLACK MARKET!

Leo scrolls through his phone with one hand while the other puts in his earbuds. He plays a familiar rock song, the beat blocking out the sound of cars and the crowd walking on the side walk. The cold night air nips at his nose and he reaches up to rub it with a sniffle.

His clothes smell like coffee and food, but he’ll have to put up with it until he can get home to shower. Roxanne let him off early today as business slowed down, but instead of leaving, he stayed behind to eat. His night class starts in less than an hour, but it’s enough time to make it if he takes the bus.

The wind blows, ruffling his short blonde hair, and he reaches up to fix it. He’s regretting not bringing his hoodie with him. It’s starting to get colder outside as autumn approaches. Soon his midterms will be here, and he’ll be even more busy than he is now. A shiver runs down his spine, one that has nothing to do with the chill in the air though. His pale eyebrows furrow as the feeling of being watched makes goosebumps rise on his skin.

He pauses on the sidewalk, scanning the thinning street of pedestrians, but no one seems to be paying any attention to him as they go about their late evening. People hurry to their destination, or chat with whoever keeps them company. Is he imagining it? He scratches the side of his face, grips the strap of his school bag, and continues to the bus stop.

The feeling doesn’t go away though. He reaches up to fuss with the collar of his shirt, his blue eyes scanning the shadows. The closer he gets to the transport station, the less people there is on the street. Unease settles into his gut and he unzips his bag. His steps grow faster, his hand fumbling until he touches something cold and hard. He pulls out a silver pocket knife, his fingers tight around the folded handle.

It’s always been a habit to have it on him since he was a teenager. His mother, who is also an omega like him, drilled it into him as soon as his first heat cycle came.

Always best to be cautious than it is to be sorry. It’s a phrase she says often.

When he reaches the bus stop, he sits on the bench and looks both ways of the street. Parked cars and eerily dark buildings are the only thing he sees, but his gut churns with nerves. He’s not about to get kidnapped off the street is he? The thought makes his chest squeeze.

With his pocket knife in one hand, he pulls his phone out with the other and clutches it to his chest. If he notices anything weird he’ll just call Ethan.

Meow!

The omega flinches at the sudden yowl. He spins around to find a calico cat at the entrance of an alley between two buildings. It blinks yellow eyes at him, it’s tail flicking from side to side. Leo’s eyebrows furrow, was this little cat the reason he felt so on edge?

"Pft," Leo stands up, pockets his phone, and crouches down in front of it. "Hey there, little guy." He murmurs as he reaches out a hand. The black, orange, and white cat flinches away, but when Leo reaches for him again, the cat rubs his back against the omegas palm. "You scared me, you know that?"

The cat meows again.

"I’m sorry I don’t have any treats." Leo murmurs as he scratches the animals chin. The cat stretches, it’s tail flicking behind it. "How about I bring some for you next time, hm?"

The cat purrs and curls his tail around Leo’s arm. The omega coos at him when a sudden loud screech comes from further down the alley. The calico jumps up, it’s back arching and his fur standing on end. He hisses, spit flying from his open mouth as he glares into the shadows of the street. Before Leo can try to calm it down, he scampers away.

Standing up, Leo squints, thinking another cat has scared the first one away. He shouts when a suddenly firm hand shoves him against the nearest wall. His cheek stings as it hits the gritty brick of the building, and his heart leaps in his chest. Panicking, the omega swings the hand that still holds the pocket blade, hoping he’ll hit his target. A strong hand circles his wrist, and with a tight squeeze, Leo whimpers and drops the knife.

"N-no!" Leo sucks in a breath, "Wait!" This is it, isn’t it? He’s going to be kidnapped and sold on the black market to be someones slave!

There’s a deep chuckle, the sound vibrating from the assaulters chest and into Leo’s back. A familiar scent of roasted chestnuts and pine cones fills his lungs, and his eyes widen.

"Max?" He gasps, trying to look over his shoulder to look at the alpha, but a firm hand presses the side of his face into the wall. "What are you doing?" His voice is hoarse and thick, his heart racing in his chest. He struggles against the hold on him, but the attempt is useless. He whimpers, a scrape forming on his cheek.

The alpha behind him hums and chuckles. The sound sends a shiver down Leo’s spine, his panic spiking. Max lowers his head to press his nose against the back of Leo’s neck. The omega’s scent of pumpkins and fallen wet leafs flares to life and his mouth waters. He groans as the smell grows stronger, and he presses his hips into Leo’s backside.

The omega’s school bag presses into his side, but it does little to hinder him from doing anything more. And Max can do so much more in the dark abandoned alley.

Leo gasps at the hardness that rubs against him, and Max sucks in a breath as the sour tinge of fear that mixes with Leo’s pheromones.

"You’re so cute when you’re scared." Max’s lips brush against Leo’s heated skin as he talks.