Her presence had been a constant ever since, one that he both loathed and longed for.
“I’d just turned twenty when the final batch of the drug was tested. The change took six months,” he concluded.
“I’m told it takes less than an hour now,” Oberon said.
“Only those that cause fake heats,” he corrected before he could stop himself. “Their purpose is to get a person ready for breeding right away, so of course they need to be targeted and swift. Depending on the dose and type, these changes can last in the body anywhere from a few days to a few months. There are varying factors. Species, intent, etc.”
“Has anyone ever used these drugs on you before?”
“Are you trying to catch me in a lie?” Fenrir came to his senses. “I told you. I’ve never been with an alpha after becoming an omega.”
Oberon was too perceptive, catching onto the part of that statement Fen hadn’t been careful enough with. “After? Does that mean you were with alphas before?”
Fenrir looked away, fingers tightening on the champagne flute. Product was kept separated by both first and secondary gender. Before he’d been selected as a test subject, he’d been surrounded by only other alphas, and during puberty, no less. Of course some of them had been unable to resist their…urges.
Oberon chuckled darkly. “I find you fascinating,omega.”
“I wish you didn’t.”
“No,” he laughed again, “I imagine you’d prefer we’d never met. That’s because you’re smart. Smarter than I think your mistress gives you credit for.”
Fenrir frowned. “What’s with the cryptic compliment?”
“You’ll figure it out eventually.” Before Fenrir could demand an explanation, Oberon motioned over his shoulder with his chin.
Fen turned just as another alpha approached.
“Koah,” Oberon greeted the newcomer warmly. “Happy Heated Hearts.”
Another recognizable face thanks to Michelle’s photographs. Koah Ridge was a high-standing member of the mafia as well.
“It will be for one of us, it seems.” Koah gave Fenrir an intrusive once-over. “Who is your date? I haven’t seen him around before.”
“Do you usually recognize my dates?” Oberon asked without a moment's hesitation.
“No.” Koah’s gaze turned interested. “But he doesn’t seem to care about that implication.”
“What? That I go on many dates?” Oberon reached forward, looping an arm casually around Fenrir’s waist.
Fen stiffened some, but otherwise kept his composure, not wanting to ruin whatever game the alphas were playing with one another. It was bad enough he’d been placed on the White Frost’s radar.
“It must be casual then.” Koah took a pointed step closer, eyes locked with Fenrir’s. “What do you say, omega? Should I whisk you away? You came with the Purse, but surely leaving with the General is more palatable.”
Oberon snorted. “To what? His delicate sensibilities? Tell me, Koah, is there anything about him that looks delicate to you?”
“You’re invested,” the alpha noted.
“Eleven million coins’ worth.”
Fenrir didn’t flinch at the reveal. He was used to being product, after all. It didn’t matter to him if everyone in this damn room knew it.
Koah paused, and when it was clear he wouldn’t be getting any rises out of either of them, retreated a full step. “I’ve never met anyone worth even a million coin, let alone eleven. Was it a full purchase?”
Oberon grinned. “Nope.”
“No?” he frowned, showing true emotion for the first time since his arrival. “On what then?”
“He bought my heat,” Fenrir revealed himself. “One heat.”