“What? Why? What do you mean? ”
“When you yelled at him he almost shit himself. An alpha would have yelled back at you. A beta would have asked you what the hell you were yelling about, probably. Even a gamma would have just looked at you like you were nuts, not…”
“Not what?”
“Dropped his head and hugged himself like he was scared to death of you. He almost got down on his knees. ”
Konnor snorted. “No way! Because I yelled at him? Why, he’d have to be omega to do something like that. ” His eyebrows rose almost comically. “An omega? Oh gods, Larssen. Do you think…”
Larssen shrugged. “Only one way to find out. Talk to him for a while. Most folks say they’re…uh…you know, mentally defective. ” He raised both hands in a defensive gesture when Konnor growled fiercely at him. “Not me! I’m not saying that. But if you get him back in here, and talk to him…and get him to shift. You’ll be able to tell right away what he is. ”
Konnor nodded thoughtfully. “He’s mine, whatever he is, but if he turns out to be an omega, then I’ll have to buy him from the council. You saw him. As beautiful as he is, the bidding would go high. ”
“One step at a time, little brother, one step at a time. Let’s make sure of him first. ”
“Bring him back in then, please, and give me a minute alone with him. ”
Larssen nodded. “Get ready and I’ll send him in. ” His eyes traveled down to the obvious bulge tenting out his trousers. “Might want to get behind the table before I bring them in. You’ve already scared him to death. Don’t want him passing out when he sees that. ”
“Oh, very funny. Just get him, will you?” Konnor looked down at himself, though, and moved back behind the table where he’d been sitting earlier.
Larssen went to the door and motioned to someone in the corridor. In seconds, Ethan came hesitantly through the door, casting a fearful glance at Konnor before dropping his head. Larssen nodded at Konnor and shut the door, leaving them alone.
Konnor took a deep breath, inhaling his sweet scent. “Sorry I yelled before, Ethan,” he said quietly, not wishing to spook him again. “I…uh…remembered something and it surprised me, that’s all. ”
Ethan nodded slightly, still not raising his gaze. Konnor tore his gaze away from the boy, looking blindly down at the interview questions, pretending he could see well enough to read through the red haze still clouding his vision.
“So, Blondie, how old are you?” He already had the information right in front of him. Shit, why couldn’t he think straight? That sweet scent was intoxicating.
“Nineteen, sir. ”
“You’ve had some challenges in the past. ”
Ethan regarded him solemnly, looking as if he wondered whether or not to respond. Finally, he nodded. “Yes sir. ”
“And what rank do you think you are?”
Ethan finally glanced up at him. “I-I think probably gamma, sir. ”
“Oh, and why’s that?”
“I-I don’t think I’d be a good leader. But II don’t mind following orders. ” Konnor smiled at him encouragingly, and he seemed to warm to his subject. “I-I like following orders, actually. You know, having someone else in charge. It makes me feel safe, and I always know exactly what’s expected of me. ” Oh, fuck. Konnor got an instantaneous erection at his words, so marblehard he had to adjust his pants. “And I like to be of service whenever I can. I’m very good at serving others. ” Okay, shit, this was killing him. “I’d do whatever it took to make my alpha proud of me. ”
Konnor cleared his throat. “I see,” his voice came out about an octave higher than normal, so he cleared his throat again. “Well, I don’t believe I have any more questions. You know you’ll have to face the others in the ring? We’ll be monitoring the confrontation carefully, of course, but that will go a long way to determining your rank. ”
Ethan nodded. “Yes, sir, I understand. ”
“You’ll be shifting into your Lycan wolf. Are you good with that?” Konnor noticed a worried frown appearingon Ethan’s face. “Problem, Blondie? ”
“N-No sir. It’s just that I have only shifted one time b
efore this. It was in my sleep, and I woke up as it was happening. It scared me so much I stopped. I just hope I can do it, sir. ”
Konnor got up from his chair and walked around the table, getting closer to him. It was dangerous to be so close to him, but he was fairly certain he had it under control. Pretty much. He wanted to take Ethan on his lap and tell him everything would be fine—while he stroked his cock and sucked on his nipples. “I’ll talk you through it, Ethan. For practice. Just close your eyes now and concentrate on your wolf. Really seehim in your mind’s eye. Can you do that? ”
“Yes, sir,” Ethan said, closing his pretty, sparkling eyes.
“Good boy. ” Konnor shook himself. That last part came out like a purr. He had to get control over this thing. Damn that fucking warlock and his curse! “Okay, Blondie, just relax and tell him he can come forward. ”