p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="073feb68479a1ce7e7cf90639cbd768c"Hannibal had planned on calling Will later on in the afternoon./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ad1f0a386c926b5bb4d97e8dbe8d0a04"He had the conversation laid out in his head like a recipe; perhaps he would call him up while he was prepping for the meal he was going to make with the choicest pieces of Franklyn Froideveaux. A well-placed remark about how the Beta had been 'referred' to another psychiatrist would serve well as an inside joke before he would go on to describe the meal he was going to provide./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fe18f9b2a756e767510c97376ab2b56b"It was going to be a lavish one./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1fb98725c008a417fd69d06d9157a0a9"The first course included smoked pâté hors d'oeuvres and delicate 'pork' dumplings followed by one of three entrées; braised ribs with spiced orange glaze, slow-cooked boeuf bourguignon, and boudin noir aux pommes, blood sausage served with caramelized apples. There would be a decadent dessert of some type of course, but he hadn't fully devised that dish yet. Melted chocolate would definitely be involved though, and leaving something to the imagination was always much more fun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6be340f90813b270a01815ffb705664e"He would phrase his request in such a way that would make Will's mouth water over the line and render him unable to resist. That got him thinking about Will's mouth. Further thinking about various parts of the Omega's body made him twitch in his well-tailored Prada slacks and the image of Jack's words sounded in the forefront of his mind –/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bd758f4852a0f106972b051b1e561b0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""He's in heat."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="58b2cb7a95a52e68c416a125645a0c6b"A snarl cracked through the room. Jack Crawford had positively no business being around Will Graham when he was in such a vulnerable state. As a weaker Alpha he could have succumbed to the Omega's pheromones and committed what was known as involuntary servitude, an unpleasant situation that unfolded exactly as the name suggested. Thanks to drugs and common sense this was mostly avoidable but Hannibal had no faith in Crawford's ability to control himself, especially around someone as delectable as Will./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="291f15b48d341f52befec76fff05e775"The phone was in his hand mere moments after the Agent had left his office./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="48c7b07853fb7e51cd341e0690e72d8f"Propped on one arm, he leaned over his desk like a lion over a kill and listened to it ring with his hot blood pounding in his ears. Will's number was already inputted into his contacts from access to his personal files, but this would be the first time actually calling from this address. Upon seeing the unfamiliar digits the man might not even answer - in which case Hannibal was prepared to drive to Wolftrap./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a934cce1e83b2b345d957e0a7c6ada43"It rang once./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="290f9cf6220f92b7faecb392075279b3"Twice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8376b99564c9a00fb3fcbd7b36c79d04"By the third ring, images of Will being incapacitated in nameless way were racing through his mind, one after the other, and he was clenching his teeth so hard he could almost hear them cracking. Or was that the phone he was steadily crunching in his fist?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fb9e319ae5dca1b473bfc2c12f5cea74"Will lying dead at the bottom of the stairs because he had fallen in his fever haze -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b393bf71864bca7cd392c43bfb75c317"Will cracking his head against the side of his tub as he slipped stepping out -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bebd4da82ffb0309ed9bec6f10ebfba2"Will writhing in agony, unable to get to his phone because he had broken his leg somehow -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e8c71fa59b77efc00dc672a8dfaae1b1"Will curled around himself on his bed because of something terrible Jack had done -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fdb305154113910365a0fb0fed0eb196""Hello?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="889681aad539a6f4d5c28f2c00516106"Hannibal sagged with relief. Will's voice was there, sounding hesitant but well enough. The feeling was so acute he was momentarily lightheaded and had to sit down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e9276b3800427585b32841b58decf5a5""Will," was all he was able to say. All other words currently had no meaning except that one./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d141e10d39a282411d3241a9241c44e""Hannibal," he heard through the line, and the way it was spoken made it sound as though the Omega were in pain, which made the Alpha's blood run cold and those disturbing mental images return with a vengeance. "I-I- "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c208b3a4480602db0b8b65397b77d121""Are you alright? Will? Is something wrong?" If Jack Crawford had touched him in any way or even said the wrong thing to him, that man was going to understand the true meaning of pain. Hannibal was baring his teeth at his drapes before he could catch himself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a5c6f351751a08f78de2296bee84d095""No, I'm fine. I'm...fine. I'm just glad you called."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b1484136aa72be72e0d55c065b47023a"A sharp exhale left him and Hannibal hadn't realized he had been holding it in until Will provided clarification. He could picture the Omega on the other line, adorable with his dark hair tousled, surrounded by his dogs because he connected more with them than he did humans. He cleared his throat to rid it of emotion./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d02a3e9708483c79482352ce45cc4ea5""Good. That's...that's good. Jack came by my office this morning and said you were experiencing a seizure. I called to make sure you were alright. Have you had any others since then?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2f2ed22cf0ddcb4945f29738d2d72120""Jack? Ah - no. That was the only episode. I'm fine now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e32f33a3bf9bc3d701f852513c627c97"Just because only one had occurred did not mean Will was out of the woods. Seizures out of nowhere were never good, but it still heightened the Alpha's relief all the same. It also happened to distract him from the abrupt coldness that had taken over Will's voice and the pregnant pause that hung in the air before he responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="daaddc318f15351b830b0742960b1a69""What else did he tell you, Hannibal?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36ca7bd01772814c4bd1446fe3f4d74b"The Alpha knew Will was talking about Jack mentioning that he was in heat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19d07ba0657a97e1234e60472395e932""I'll be honest with you, Will. He did also mentioned your...current physical condition."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1518a5bdc29d6fe35879911b5d45a346"The mere thought of Jack Crawford in Will's vicinity while he was so vulnerable made Hannibal's lip rise again but he kept himself under control. That man had no part in this conversation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3daa9a1986561a362ad6fe6647f032c5""Did he."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36a123caf3121b534521f0be8b2553c6"Will's voice was suddenly downright icy. Hannibal sat straighter in his chair, his expression tightening in concern./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0290169f35ea2bdd2bff86e9dfb10b94""Yes. Will, are you sure you're alright?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e19aa3e0001cd95b7bf8d0811e53adad""I'm sure you and Jack had a nice little conversation about me, didn't you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="693f7bf73b2babffcecd371dd71c7927"Something ugly and sour slid down into Hannibal's stomach and he tightened his grip on the phone. This was very unlike Will. His usual quiet tone was sharp, almost taunting, and the unfamiliar sting of hurt surprised him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="72f178b0fabf39c62bded22403a71247""What's the matter, Will? Talk to me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bc9189406be84ec297464a514221406d"XXX/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d6d8dc122121dc66b30b2db431c4f5e0"On the other side of the line, a fury and dread that Will had never known was overtaking him. The room was growing smaller, constricting around him as though it were made not of wood and metal but something living, insidious, cocooning tightly with the intent to suffocate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="07c8bbd21e00c562fe4fbc86065a8407"Jack Crawford had told Hannibal about the scars. He must have./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c3f3cf75f1e9d81de757b638d56b125d"The memory of steel in his flesh and panting in his ear extinguished any desire or anticipation as though it were never there. Jack had happened upon him by accident and learned of something dark and secret that was never supposed to be uncovered. He then shared that information, information that was not his to share, and Will's hammering heart flooded him with embarrassment and anger towards Jack, towards himself...towards Hannibal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="00d4f676f277465affb3aa028b1e5988""I bet you were just delighted," he heard himself hissing through clenched teeth. He felt faraway, not quite real as he pressed his free palm into his burning forehead and winced. His head wouldn't stop pounding. "Something else to dig up, another fucking thing that's wrong with me that you get to fix."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="09a645cc9630b7ba8297469b883bc619""Will, I don't know what you're talking -"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c6632e2d35680f39c2838ef40fa65ba0""I don't need your help, Hannibal," Will snapped, baring his own teeth to the empty space around him. His dogs had departed to a back room as soon as they sensed that something was off with their master and he found himself quite alone. "And Jack had absolutely no business telling you about me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84f9478dfdbb7274713468164e65993b"The hurt he felt at having Hannibal imagine what had happened to him was too painful. It wasn't his to know, not yet. Maybe if the time ever came when he was comfortable enough to disclose what had happened he might one day seek Hannibal's counsel, but having it unearthed this way was appalling. Had he and Jack put their heads together like fucking boy scouts over this information? Probably went over how his present behavior was all due to his past traumatic experience or some shit. Then the pity would come./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cefb14b44d9367841c6c984e60f2f221"Another heat wave surged through Will's body and he shuddered, pressing his back to the cool metal of the front door. This is definitely what he did not need right now. His cell phone was slippery with cold sweat and his entire body was tense. The room was still compressing but tilting as well, a sickening roll that made him feel as though he should be wearing a seat belt. Was it getting hotter, too?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7d9ce6bc1c997032ef5a5ef1bd727e27"Looking down at himself was a dizzying ride but he succeeded in discovering that he was still naked and soaked in sweat. It was running in rivulets down his neck and abdomen and glistening in the lamp light of his living room. Perhaps in another life he might have found this situation funny, standing stark naked on the phone while in heat and sweating profusely, but as he waited for Hannibal to respond he was ready to squeeze his cell into something that could have been spread on toast./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74b88112f2891c7ac06f4e3bbc599c5a"It was a while before the other male responded and when he did, Will became more infuriated at the calm and even tone of his accented voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cc7e26833e8e058e6ca7f2ccdb04e5c3""You're absolutely right, Will. We should never have imposed on your privacy like that. I am very sorry for any upset this has caused you in a time such as this. I will be sure to -"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4655815d09d9db74cc6eb3d765d7bd46""Just save it, Hannibal," Will snarled impatiently. "I don't need your clinical apology. Just leave me alone."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fb2a8f7b9a4fe1011f6b0e18da6d0d15"With a shaking hand he hung up on the Alpha and dropped his phone, not caring where it landed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b0c3d31e2ee58b9bd05ba6c9ff98589a"XXX/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2bfdfaf8a556c867bf3de2f6d226afbf"Hannibal looked down at the blank screen of his cell, his eyes shrouded in shadow. He felt raw inside, flayed by Will's words. The Omega's cold dismissal before he cut their connection replayed in his head over and over again as though he were still stuck in the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="70456cb9716a10f82fad7013e11d8d66"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Just leave me alone./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="868a6e013bd475b23f72223c1acdc56a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Just leave me alone./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6cd64174d03fad73327a13e726d604d9"Not exactly what he had planned on hearing. Their conversation was supposed to end with the graceful invitation to dinner, perhaps in a few days when the Omega's heat had settled a bit. Will would accept with a shy jab at Hannibal's propensity to turn everything into a dinner party and the two would part ways, aglow with anticipation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f1b6a3a49c9a2dc9408b202224282c14"Instead he had received coldness and downright hostility. The Alpha thought it difficult to believe that an Omega would be this sensitive about others knowing he was in heat; it was quite a natural process and one that every gender was familiar with. However, Will's reasons were his own and if he didn't want Hannibal intruding on his privacy, then he would stay away. Not without feeling pain, however./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="048e4049f348c7a9e39ded0ba8ffde0c"An Alpha rejected by his Omega of choice was a dangerous creature. Unstable. The urge to go to the other male was enormously strong; in fact he was halfway out of his seat with the intention of getting into his car and driving to Wolf Trap to apologize, but his gentleman side brought him back down to earth./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9a80e82e0e0445674b73852ecb1ff264"Will didn't want him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fc1d1b59b5175d9f120f54d380de846"The doctor sat back in his office chair and scanned the room restlessly. The elegance around him seemed dim, distant, unreal in the wake of the unpleasant transaction. The windows that only moments ago had bright sunlight streaming through them were now dark and the pictures that adorned the walls were of twisted, unnatural landscapes instead of the pristine scenes they were supposed to be. He was momentarily at a loss./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="af191dfb5a0e82828874008dffa6a450"A sharp note of pain made him glance down. He had unconsciously palmed the thin scalpel that he used to sharpen his drawing pencils with and was fingering the blade. A single trail of bright red blood was in the process of rolling down his thumb, contrasting with his olive skin and threatening to stain the cuff of his suit jacket. The pain was insignificant compared to what he was experiencing on the inside, but it served as a fitting reminder of what he still had to accomplish that night./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="88bb511e5d6ebef28f525bb8e51fbfc3"Although the murder of Franklyn Froideveaux suddenly didn't seem as appealing as it had just moments ago, Hannibal knew that sinking a curved blade into the man's ample stomach would be more than therapeutic. Perhaps...perhaps if he could somehow show Will how he felt through this act and renew his invitation for the dinner party for two, his Omega would forgive him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ced0cedc99f696f5d8b081aa86862b16"The image of his dinner table decadently adorned flashed in his mind's eye, a perfect tableaux of exotic dishes and dark seduction. Will was seated at the far end dressed in a dark, well-fitted suit and gazing out under long lashes at his host. His composure was patient but knowing, and his lips were formed in a coy smile as he regarded the Alpha who was situated at the other end, though close enough to touch. That scent of his would be tantalizing and potent with pheromones, and Hannibal's pupils dilated in response to the fantasy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7985d46ddeb05fdcb8230ec70ea1cf30"Various creations made from Franklyn Froideveaux were arranged aesthetically before them, from mini meat tarts to full on roasts, ribs, filet mignon, and hors d'oeuvres that included Froideveaux's liver, heart, lungs, intestine, and brain matter. He was the highlight of the meal of course, but other rare delights added to the spread. A whole braised octopus was draped artistically over the side of a silver platter, its tentacles winding around baked apples and pears. Black truffle risotto, seafood bouillabaisse with saffron, and cubes of Kobe beef speared with roasted garlic complemented the ensemble./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4720a52d3f17c35518fcaa7787c10383"This illusory feast was extravagant, a masterpiece of culinary skill and expertise, and Will would find himself quietly impressed as they enjoyed it together./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="97cb6ccf7d7649c2890f522f3c0ff599"Evening sunlight suddenly streamed in through Hannibal's office windows once more, momentarily stunning him with its piercing orange beauty. Hope was not lost; after all, his Omega was in the throes of heat and it was not uncommon for them to act irrationally and lash out while under the influence of their hormones. Instinct was a powerful thing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d1c753d9f3b217fc6ab05229de6be5c"In one swift move Hannibal replaced the scalpel, ran his bloodied thumb between his lips, and opened his desk drawer. His Rolodex was sitting inside, one of many. This particular set was a collection of colleagues and peers that he worked with. Each and every one. Liked, disliked; rude, courteous; they were all in there./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2dc2d8aee1135895f5555dff1f2ae561"With a practiced hand he flipped the alphabetically organized cards until they reached the letter B, and just a few more turns presented the business card of Alana Bloom. This next step was distasteful but necessary, and Will need not ever know about it. Seducing and persuading the weaker genders was extraordinarily easy for the Alpha, and both were needed this night if he was going to prepare anything close to what he imagined for his Omega./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f76c0c5573a025ef9777f2e902eb4d2c"Moments later his cell phone was at his ear again, ringing. When the line was picked up, a familiar female voice greeted him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4085d11727081df9d8a8be29389e34fb"Hannibal's smile was veiled as he replied./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f7a251d2b7c3a4142c574e430451db3""Alana. I do hope you're well. I was hoping I could persuade you to join me for dinner tonight. Yes. No, not at all. Of course. That time works perfectly. Yes, I am very much looking forward to it as well."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ad1f0a386c926b5bb4d97e8dbe8d0a04"He had the conversation laid out in his head like a recipe; perhaps he would call him up while he was prepping for the meal he was going to make with the choicest pieces of Franklyn Froideveaux. A well-placed remark about how the Beta had been 'referred' to another psychiatrist would serve well as an inside joke before he would go on to describe the meal he was going to provide./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fe18f9b2a756e767510c97376ab2b56b"It was going to be a lavish one./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1fb98725c008a417fd69d06d9157a0a9"The first course included smoked pâté hors d'oeuvres and delicate 'pork' dumplings followed by one of three entrées; braised ribs with spiced orange glaze, slow-cooked boeuf bourguignon, and boudin noir aux pommes, blood sausage served with caramelized apples. There would be a decadent dessert of some type of course, but he hadn't fully devised that dish yet. Melted chocolate would definitely be involved though, and leaving something to the imagination was always much more fun./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6be340f90813b270a01815ffb705664e"He would phrase his request in such a way that would make Will's mouth water over the line and render him unable to resist. That got him thinking about Will's mouth. Further thinking about various parts of the Omega's body made him twitch in his well-tailored Prada slacks and the image of Jack's words sounded in the forefront of his mind –/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bd758f4852a0f106972b051b1e561b0a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""He's in heat."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="58b2cb7a95a52e68c416a125645a0c6b"A snarl cracked through the room. Jack Crawford had positively no business being around Will Graham when he was in such a vulnerable state. As a weaker Alpha he could have succumbed to the Omega's pheromones and committed what was known as involuntary servitude, an unpleasant situation that unfolded exactly as the name suggested. Thanks to drugs and common sense this was mostly avoidable but Hannibal had no faith in Crawford's ability to control himself, especially around someone as delectable as Will./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="291f15b48d341f52befec76fff05e775"The phone was in his hand mere moments after the Agent had left his office./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="48c7b07853fb7e51cd341e0690e72d8f"Propped on one arm, he leaned over his desk like a lion over a kill and listened to it ring with his hot blood pounding in his ears. Will's number was already inputted into his contacts from access to his personal files, but this would be the first time actually calling from this address. Upon seeing the unfamiliar digits the man might not even answer - in which case Hannibal was prepared to drive to Wolftrap./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a934cce1e83b2b345d957e0a7c6ada43"It rang once./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="290f9cf6220f92b7faecb392075279b3"Twice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8376b99564c9a00fb3fcbd7b36c79d04"By the third ring, images of Will being incapacitated in nameless way were racing through his mind, one after the other, and he was clenching his teeth so hard he could almost hear them cracking. Or was that the phone he was steadily crunching in his fist?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fb9e319ae5dca1b473bfc2c12f5cea74"Will lying dead at the bottom of the stairs because he had fallen in his fever haze -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b393bf71864bca7cd392c43bfb75c317"Will cracking his head against the side of his tub as he slipped stepping out -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bebd4da82ffb0309ed9bec6f10ebfba2"Will writhing in agony, unable to get to his phone because he had broken his leg somehow -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e8c71fa59b77efc00dc672a8dfaae1b1"Will curled around himself on his bed because of something terrible Jack had done -/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fdb305154113910365a0fb0fed0eb196""Hello?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="889681aad539a6f4d5c28f2c00516106"Hannibal sagged with relief. Will's voice was there, sounding hesitant but well enough. The feeling was so acute he was momentarily lightheaded and had to sit down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e9276b3800427585b32841b58decf5a5""Will," was all he was able to say. All other words currently had no meaning except that one./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d141e10d39a282411d3241a9241c44e""Hannibal," he heard through the line, and the way it was spoken made it sound as though the Omega were in pain, which made the Alpha's blood run cold and those disturbing mental images return with a vengeance. "I-I- "/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c208b3a4480602db0b8b65397b77d121""Are you alright? Will? Is something wrong?" If Jack Crawford had touched him in any way or even said the wrong thing to him, that man was going to understand the true meaning of pain. Hannibal was baring his teeth at his drapes before he could catch himself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a5c6f351751a08f78de2296bee84d095""No, I'm fine. I'm...fine. I'm just glad you called."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b1484136aa72be72e0d55c065b47023a"A sharp exhale left him and Hannibal hadn't realized he had been holding it in until Will provided clarification. He could picture the Omega on the other line, adorable with his dark hair tousled, surrounded by his dogs because he connected more with them than he did humans. He cleared his throat to rid it of emotion./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d02a3e9708483c79482352ce45cc4ea5""Good. That's...that's good. Jack came by my office this morning and said you were experiencing a seizure. I called to make sure you were alright. Have you had any others since then?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2f2ed22cf0ddcb4945f29738d2d72120""Jack? Ah - no. That was the only episode. I'm fine now."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e32f33a3bf9bc3d701f852513c627c97"Just because only one had occurred did not mean Will was out of the woods. Seizures out of nowhere were never good, but it still heightened the Alpha's relief all the same. It also happened to distract him from the abrupt coldness that had taken over Will's voice and the pregnant pause that hung in the air before he responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="daaddc318f15351b830b0742960b1a69""What else did he tell you, Hannibal?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36ca7bd01772814c4bd1446fe3f4d74b"The Alpha knew Will was talking about Jack mentioning that he was in heat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19d07ba0657a97e1234e60472395e932""I'll be honest with you, Will. He did also mentioned your...current physical condition."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1518a5bdc29d6fe35879911b5d45a346"The mere thought of Jack Crawford in Will's vicinity while he was so vulnerable made Hannibal's lip rise again but he kept himself under control. That man had no part in this conversation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3daa9a1986561a362ad6fe6647f032c5""Did he."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="36a123caf3121b534521f0be8b2553c6"Will's voice was suddenly downright icy. Hannibal sat straighter in his chair, his expression tightening in concern./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0290169f35ea2bdd2bff86e9dfb10b94""Yes. Will, are you sure you're alright?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e19aa3e0001cd95b7bf8d0811e53adad""I'm sure you and Jack had a nice little conversation about me, didn't you?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="693f7bf73b2babffcecd371dd71c7927"Something ugly and sour slid down into Hannibal's stomach and he tightened his grip on the phone. This was very unlike Will. His usual quiet tone was sharp, almost taunting, and the unfamiliar sting of hurt surprised him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="72f178b0fabf39c62bded22403a71247""What's the matter, Will? Talk to me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bc9189406be84ec297464a514221406d"XXX/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d6d8dc122121dc66b30b2db431c4f5e0"On the other side of the line, a fury and dread that Will had never known was overtaking him. The room was growing smaller, constricting around him as though it were made not of wood and metal but something living, insidious, cocooning tightly with the intent to suffocate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="07c8bbd21e00c562fe4fbc86065a8407"Jack Crawford had told Hannibal about the scars. He must have./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c3f3cf75f1e9d81de757b638d56b125d"The memory of steel in his flesh and panting in his ear extinguished any desire or anticipation as though it were never there. Jack had happened upon him by accident and learned of something dark and secret that was never supposed to be uncovered. He then shared that information, information that was not his to share, and Will's hammering heart flooded him with embarrassment and anger towards Jack, towards himself...towards Hannibal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="00d4f676f277465affb3aa028b1e5988""I bet you were just delighted," he heard himself hissing through clenched teeth. He felt faraway, not quite real as he pressed his free palm into his burning forehead and winced. His head wouldn't stop pounding. "Something else to dig up, another fucking thing that's wrong with me that you get to fix."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="09a645cc9630b7ba8297469b883bc619""Will, I don't know what you're talking -"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c6632e2d35680f39c2838ef40fa65ba0""I don't need your help, Hannibal," Will snapped, baring his own teeth to the empty space around him. His dogs had departed to a back room as soon as they sensed that something was off with their master and he found himself quite alone. "And Jack had absolutely no business telling you about me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84f9478dfdbb7274713468164e65993b"The hurt he felt at having Hannibal imagine what had happened to him was too painful. It wasn't his to know, not yet. Maybe if the time ever came when he was comfortable enough to disclose what had happened he might one day seek Hannibal's counsel, but having it unearthed this way was appalling. Had he and Jack put their heads together like fucking boy scouts over this information? Probably went over how his present behavior was all due to his past traumatic experience or some shit. Then the pity would come./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cefb14b44d9367841c6c984e60f2f221"Another heat wave surged through Will's body and he shuddered, pressing his back to the cool metal of the front door. This is definitely what he did not need right now. His cell phone was slippery with cold sweat and his entire body was tense. The room was still compressing but tilting as well, a sickening roll that made him feel as though he should be wearing a seat belt. Was it getting hotter, too?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7d9ce6bc1c997032ef5a5ef1bd727e27"Looking down at himself was a dizzying ride but he succeeded in discovering that he was still naked and soaked in sweat. It was running in rivulets down his neck and abdomen and glistening in the lamp light of his living room. Perhaps in another life he might have found this situation funny, standing stark naked on the phone while in heat and sweating profusely, but as he waited for Hannibal to respond he was ready to squeeze his cell into something that could have been spread on toast./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74b88112f2891c7ac06f4e3bbc599c5a"It was a while before the other male responded and when he did, Will became more infuriated at the calm and even tone of his accented voice./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cc7e26833e8e058e6ca7f2ccdb04e5c3""You're absolutely right, Will. We should never have imposed on your privacy like that. I am very sorry for any upset this has caused you in a time such as this. I will be sure to -"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4655815d09d9db74cc6eb3d765d7bd46""Just save it, Hannibal," Will snarled impatiently. "I don't need your clinical apology. Just leave me alone."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fb2a8f7b9a4fe1011f6b0e18da6d0d15"With a shaking hand he hung up on the Alpha and dropped his phone, not caring where it landed./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b0c3d31e2ee58b9bd05ba6c9ff98589a"XXX/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2bfdfaf8a556c867bf3de2f6d226afbf"Hannibal looked down at the blank screen of his cell, his eyes shrouded in shadow. He felt raw inside, flayed by Will's words. The Omega's cold dismissal before he cut their connection replayed in his head over and over again as though he were still stuck in the moment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="70456cb9716a10f82fad7013e11d8d66"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Just leave me alone./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="868a6e013bd475b23f72223c1acdc56a"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Just leave me alone./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6cd64174d03fad73327a13e726d604d9"Not exactly what he had planned on hearing. Their conversation was supposed to end with the graceful invitation to dinner, perhaps in a few days when the Omega's heat had settled a bit. Will would accept with a shy jab at Hannibal's propensity to turn everything into a dinner party and the two would part ways, aglow with anticipation./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f1b6a3a49c9a2dc9408b202224282c14"Instead he had received coldness and downright hostility. The Alpha thought it difficult to believe that an Omega would be this sensitive about others knowing he was in heat; it was quite a natural process and one that every gender was familiar with. However, Will's reasons were his own and if he didn't want Hannibal intruding on his privacy, then he would stay away. Not without feeling pain, however./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="048e4049f348c7a9e39ded0ba8ffde0c"An Alpha rejected by his Omega of choice was a dangerous creature. Unstable. The urge to go to the other male was enormously strong; in fact he was halfway out of his seat with the intention of getting into his car and driving to Wolf Trap to apologize, but his gentleman side brought him back down to earth./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9a80e82e0e0445674b73852ecb1ff264"Will didn't want him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9fc1d1b59b5175d9f120f54d380de846"The doctor sat back in his office chair and scanned the room restlessly. The elegance around him seemed dim, distant, unreal in the wake of the unpleasant transaction. The windows that only moments ago had bright sunlight streaming through them were now dark and the pictures that adorned the walls were of twisted, unnatural landscapes instead of the pristine scenes they were supposed to be. He was momentarily at a loss./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="af191dfb5a0e82828874008dffa6a450"A sharp note of pain made him glance down. He had unconsciously palmed the thin scalpel that he used to sharpen his drawing pencils with and was fingering the blade. A single trail of bright red blood was in the process of rolling down his thumb, contrasting with his olive skin and threatening to stain the cuff of his suit jacket. The pain was insignificant compared to what he was experiencing on the inside, but it served as a fitting reminder of what he still had to accomplish that night./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="88bb511e5d6ebef28f525bb8e51fbfc3"Although the murder of Franklyn Froideveaux suddenly didn't seem as appealing as it had just moments ago, Hannibal knew that sinking a curved blade into the man's ample stomach would be more than therapeutic. Perhaps...perhaps if he could somehow show Will how he felt through this act and renew his invitation for the dinner party for two, his Omega would forgive him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ced0cedc99f696f5d8b081aa86862b16"The image of his dinner table decadently adorned flashed in his mind's eye, a perfect tableaux of exotic dishes and dark seduction. Will was seated at the far end dressed in a dark, well-fitted suit and gazing out under long lashes at his host. His composure was patient but knowing, and his lips were formed in a coy smile as he regarded the Alpha who was situated at the other end, though close enough to touch. That scent of his would be tantalizing and potent with pheromones, and Hannibal's pupils dilated in response to the fantasy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7985d46ddeb05fdcb8230ec70ea1cf30"Various creations made from Franklyn Froideveaux were arranged aesthetically before them, from mini meat tarts to full on roasts, ribs, filet mignon, and hors d'oeuvres that included Froideveaux's liver, heart, lungs, intestine, and brain matter. He was the highlight of the meal of course, but other rare delights added to the spread. A whole braised octopus was draped artistically over the side of a silver platter, its tentacles winding around baked apples and pears. Black truffle risotto, seafood bouillabaisse with saffron, and cubes of Kobe beef speared with roasted garlic complemented the ensemble./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4720a52d3f17c35518fcaa7787c10383"This illusory feast was extravagant, a masterpiece of culinary skill and expertise, and Will would find himself quietly impressed as they enjoyed it together./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="97cb6ccf7d7649c2890f522f3c0ff599"Evening sunlight suddenly streamed in through Hannibal's office windows once more, momentarily stunning him with its piercing orange beauty. Hope was not lost; after all, his Omega was in the throes of heat and it was not uncommon for them to act irrationally and lash out while under the influence of their hormones. Instinct was a powerful thing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d1c753d9f3b217fc6ab05229de6be5c"In one swift move Hannibal replaced the scalpel, ran his bloodied thumb between his lips, and opened his desk drawer. His Rolodex was sitting inside, one of many. This particular set was a collection of colleagues and peers that he worked with. Each and every one. Liked, disliked; rude, courteous; they were all in there./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2dc2d8aee1135895f5555dff1f2ae561"With a practiced hand he flipped the alphabetically organized cards until they reached the letter B, and just a few more turns presented the business card of Alana Bloom. This next step was distasteful but necessary, and Will need not ever know about it. Seducing and persuading the weaker genders was extraordinarily easy for the Alpha, and both were needed this night if he was going to prepare anything close to what he imagined for his Omega./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f76c0c5573a025ef9777f2e902eb4d2c"Moments later his cell phone was at his ear again, ringing. When the line was picked up, a familiar female voice greeted him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4085d11727081df9d8a8be29389e34fb"Hannibal's smile was veiled as he replied./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f7a251d2b7c3a4142c574e430451db3""Alana. I do hope you're well. I was hoping I could persuade you to join me for dinner tonight. Yes. No, not at all. Of course. That time works perfectly. Yes, I am very much looking forward to it as well."/p