As their gazes met, a flicker of something unexpected danced in Maximillian's eyes before he looked away.
-----------------------------
The alley offered no solace to bypassers. Dim light wrestled with the encroaching darkness, twisting shadows into menacing claws that scraped against the damp brick walls. Julian found himself trapped, pressed against the rough surface with nowhere to go. Looming before him, a dark silhouette resolved into Lars Eisenhart, his former boyfriend of the past three years.
"What do you want, Lars?" Julian asked, a slight annoyance lacing his voice.
"I want you to tell me why you broke up with me so suddenly!" Lars slammed one of his hands against the brick wall. "How can you be so heartless, after everything I have done for you!"
Amusement crept toward Julian's lips. He casually folded his arms and tilted his head backward to look at the alpha straight in his eyes.
"You told me that you wanted an open relationship because you want to engage in an orgy party at a remote Southeast Asia island, sponsored by your fraternity. Now that you are back, you ask me this foolish question. Lars Eisenhart, are you demented? Let me go at once before I call the police."
"I am sorry!"
Lars dropped to his knees and put his arms around Julian's waist.
"Julian, I was wrong. I was stupid. I shouldn't have gone! It's just that... you didn't want to sleep with me at all, what else am I supposed to do???"
Julian scoffed.
"If that's your excuse for infidelity, we are better off separated, Lars. Unhand me now."
Fury flashed across Lars' eyes.
"If you don't want to be mine, then you should at least give me what you owe me!"
Air was knocked off Julian's lungs when he was flipped around and pressed against the brick wall by Lars' weight. The alpha then proceeded to tear Julian's pants and underwear, leaving his rear end exposed.
"Lars, you...! Stop what you are doing!"
"Just once, Julian," Lars' hot and bothered breath blew at Julian's earlobe. "I will use a condom. You won't lose anything."
Julian's jaw clenched, a silent snarl twisting his features. Fists balled, he was about to offer Lars a very personal lesson in alpha behavior when a deep, menacing voice cleaved the air. Before Julian could react, a forceful yank ripped Lars away from him. The alpha crashed onto the cobblestone path with a pained groan.
"Are you deaf? He said 'stop'."
Turning around, Julian found a broad back before him, a sudden and unexpected barrier between him and Lars' menacing form.
"..."
"Who the fuck are you? Why are you meddling in my business? Do you even know who I am???" Lars snarled at Maximillian like a wounded beast.
Maximillian's lips curved into a smile.
"Oh, who are you?"
"I am Lars Eisenhart, the sole heir of the Eisenhart Group! My father is Frank Eisenhart! You are a dead man, you!!!"
Maximillian remained unfazed. He reached into his pocket with a measured grace, the movement a stark contrast to Lars' aggression. With a flick of his wrist, he presented his identification badge, the metal glinting under the dim light.
"Maximillian Grant," he stated, his voice a low growl that vibrated with authority. "Federal Agent, National Bureau of Security. Lars Eisenhart, you're under arrest for public harassment of an omega. This offense carries a minimum sentence of three years, with a potential maximum of twenty depending on your legal representation."
Lars' jaw dropped open. What were the odds of meeting a federal agent at night in a remote alley on Valentine's Day?
"I... I..."
Lars threw one fearful look at Julian, whose figure was completely hidden behind Maximillian's broad frame. Then, without losing another word, he bolted away.
Maximillian took off his jacket and extended it toward Julian without looking back.
"Wrap this around your waist. Let me take you home."
"... Thank you."
Julian took the jacket and wrapped it around his narrow waist, hiding his naked lower half beneath. He then stepped out of the ragged remnants of his pants and underwear.
The omega winced slightly when he took a step forward, prompting Maximillian to extend a hand to stabilize his posture.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, it's just... my leg has just recovered. Maybe I sprained my ankle when he dragged me into this alley."
Maximillian cleared his throat.
"May I?" he asked with an arched brow.
A soft smile played around Julian's lips.
"If Agent Grant does not mind, I would be grateful for the help."
Maximillian scooped Julian effortlessly into his arms, hooking one arm beneath his legs. As their gazes met, a flicker of something unexpected danced in Maximillian's eyes before he looked away.
Uncharacteristic discomfort settled over him when the omega's fragrant scent wafted into his nose. Certainly, he had never held an omega so close before, yet he considered himself immune to their allure. But Julian was different. There was something about him that disrupted Maximillian's usual composure.
After strapping the seatbelt across Julian and tucking him in for the ride, Maximillian slipped into the driver's seat and started his hover car.
"I don't like to poke my nose in other people's business, but feel free to call me when that man assaults you again."
Maximillian took a metallic name card from a compartment and handed it over to Julian.
"Thank you," Julian took the name card and scrutinized the content before tucking it away into his shirt pocket.
A flicker of his gaze darted to the back seat, where a forlorn bouquet of flowers and a neglected box of chocolates sat abandoned.
"I am sorry," he softly said. "Please extend my deepest apologies for delaying your date tonight."
Maximillian scoffed.
"No need to worry about it. It already ended."
"..."
"Ahem."
Maximillian cleared his throat again, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere in the car. "So, where do you live?"
Julian stifled the urge to blurt out, "Shouldn't you know? You investigated my background after all."
"Fasannenstraße number 72, Charlottenburg district."
A crystal-clear, well-tempered female voice filled the air, startling Julian.
"Destination address has been recorded. We will reach the destination in approximately 20 minutes."