Suits and Rogues

Chapter 11

Creatures: a term used to refer supernatural creatures. It’s kind of a mouthful to keep referring to them as “supernatural creatures” so let’s use the term “creature” instead.

*****

    The door to Odin’s luxurious penthouse tasted his fury as he slammed it shut with so much force that the whole building trembled and for the door to completely break at the impact. Odin could only curse more profanities, as he’s been doing for the last few hours, as he makes his way to his room – dripping wet from his unexpected dip to the waterfalls.

    Almost immediately, his maids and staff started repairing the damage he caused and started doting on him; giving him towels, asking him if he’s had breakfast, what he would like to eat, does he need a massage, and many more.

    “Out!” he snapped in irritation; making them scurry away from him as he entered his spacious bedroom. It’s as neat as he had left it - not an object out of place. It's such a huge contrast to the mess going on inside his head that he was tempted to rearrange his room the same way.

    Feeling his impending stress skyrocket to alarming heights, his body instinctively went for his drawers. His hands automatically sought out those familiar, squeeze-y, stress balls. For a few seconds, the same calming sensation he felt when holding those balls returned and stabled his emotions. But the moment he took the stress balls out and saw that familiar shade of golden-yellow color, that calmness and peace evaporated.

    His mind went back to that moment of humiliation. The way he let the hellhound touch him that way, the way Odin was so weak to fight against the mate bond, the helplessness he felt, the panic, the fear...all the signs he should've considered, his instincts he chose to ignore, his annoying wolf acting like a desperate w***e, the way he actually ENJOYED the hellhound's touch and scent, and the f*****g way Odin let him penetrate him....

    BRAAAAAAGGGGG!!!

    His fist drove a huge hole in the wall as his eyes blazed molten, bright silver due to his anger. His muscles tensed and bunched up, his breathing became labored and deep like an angry bull, and his body rippled with the telltale signs of shifting. He's so furious at himself he wants to hurt himself so bad until he's dead.

    His wolf growled at his way of thinking that Odin got so triggered he blocked his wolf for the third time in 24 hours. He couldn't even feel remorse at treating his wolf the way he's doing because his mind slowly got poisoned by his self loathing. Darkness clouded his thoughts; plaguing him with his weakness, fears and insecurities.

    He's a failure. From the moment he was born, he's always been a failure. He can't remember any time in his life that he ever received a positive look that came from the people around him. His father always looks at him with a frown of disappointment, the pack looks at him like he doesn't matter, his age mates looks at him like a competition that needed to be eliminated, his beta looks at him like a monster that's about to kill him at any moment, and he has no friends. The only people he could remember that were pleasant to him were his mother and older brother, but even that memory is blurry and started to fade. Even with his photographic memory, Odin is losing the memories of the only people who were ever truly good to him.

    Whatever he's doing, he fails. He can't do anything right. Even when he was already offered with opportunities to do right, somehow he always messes it up; first as a son, as a brother, a student, and now, an Alpha. No matter what, he keeps failing. What a f*****g failure! It's no wonder the goddess gave him a male as a mate. It's her clear way of showing that he's such a disappointment that she deemed him worthy enough to be the end of their bloodline. And it's no wonder his father never wanted him. He must've known from the very start that Odin is a disappointment.

    His sight became as dark as his thoughts as his mind shut down and his body went on autopilot. By the time Odin's mind functioned once again, he's at his limo; being drove by his driver to their company building. He's dressed perfectly in a high quality suit, looking as pristine as ever except for his murderous look and bloody knuckles. He can't remember what he did when he blacked out, but he's sure that he must've taken his anger out through destruction once again. It's the only thing that is keeping him sane nowadays - rearranging his environment in the same state as his chaotic mind.

    Cursing, he reached below the coffee table in front of him for the ever-present first aid kit. As the limo hums and the sounds of its engine surround Odin, he started cleaning his wound and wrapping it up in gauze. Knowing that his employees and clients are going to be alarmed if they saw him in that state, he covered his hands in black gloves and finger-combed his black hair back. His body is still tense from stress so he tries to take deep breaths in and out in an attempt to calm himself down.

    For a while, it worked. His tense muscles loosened, his fists relaxed, his breathing became even, and the furrows between his brows straightened. He let his senses focus on his limited environment. The sound of the limo's engine filled his hearing, the vehicle's slight vibrations became massage-substitute, and the scent of rich leather and car freshener gave the limo a relaxing ambiance. Odin felt himself unwinding.

    But just like any good thing in Odin's life, it was short-lived. Just as he was about to fully relax, the door to his limo opened and his driver announced that they have already arrived at the company.

    Odin growled lowly - not liking how he was interrupted. Still, he got out of the limo. He fought off a wince from showing just as his broken ribs shifted and his fresh injuries from the hellhound tore a little the moment he stretched his large frame to get out of the limo. No matter what, he needs to be as perfect as possible with no outward flaws or weakness. Being an Alpha and a successful businessman, one slip from his part can cause great damage to his pack and company. He can't have that.

    The board members and other high ranking employees of his immediately bowed and tilted their heads to the side the moment he stepped out. They are all lining up on either side of him like sidewalks - each of them wearing formal black suits and looking as presentable as expected. Employees, clients, customers, journalists, and other types of people and creature walk to and fro in his company's building just like any other day. And as usual, Odin can't help but stare at their company's building. Standing up to 3,000 feet with 236 stories, it is the tallest building in the country and also the most unique from its different structure. Instead of the usual plain rectangular or pointed-tipped type of structure, its structure is shaped like a werewolf’s upper body. The middle part is the main part that connects to the head of the wolf at the highest part of the building. Two more buildings are connected to the main one in the shape of a werewolf’s arms. At the very top of the two buildings are landing sites for helicopters and airplanes while the stories below it are used for business and offices. Instead of glass windows, the building is made out of metals that make the building look like a real giant werewolf because it looks like a werewolf fur when put together. Black and different shades of gray – from light gray to dark gray – are the colors of the metals that make the building look like a shiny huge wolf.

    “Aidra” the word came to Odin’s mind – remembering how he had created that metal in an attempt to impress his father at the age of 20. He remembered how happy he was when he succeeded in creating a fur-like metal that is impact-proof, bullet-proof, and fire-proof. His main objective in creating it was to make armors for their wolf forms. However, the council and the rest of the supernaturals deemed it to be unworthy of trust and efficacy. The dragons, prides (lion-shifters), faes, goblins, and other creatures even argued that such defensive armor causes imbalance to the supernatural world because such armor is not natural. Along with their reasoning is that, it will tip the balance within the power play of the supernaturals because werewolves would have more advantage than the rest and it was deemed unfair. In the end, they discouraged the production, distribution, and innovation of “Aidra” and instead of making Odin’s father proud, problems arose instead because of the dispute. But when Odin took over the company, it was a time of war between the supernaturals and the humans. Not wanting to endanger his fellow supernaturals and also to keep his mortal employees safe, he reconstructed the building the way it is now with the use of Aidra. It became a safe haven for many supernaturals and humans alike until the war ended. The council and the other supernaturals were not able to stop Odin because it is one of their laws that one’s company should follow its own rules. No one is authorized to interfere unless it causes harm to others.

    Odin’s eyes stared at the wolf’s head at the sky. From his view, he can only see a bit of the wolf head’s jaw, ears and red eyes. Wait...red eyes? Odin looked up once again to make sure he’s not seeing things. The wolf’s head at the top of the main building are golden-yellow in color. Odin is sure of it because the wolf head is his office. So how come it is red? Who the f*ck decided to change it without his permission?!

    “Who the f*ck changed the irises’ color?!” his voiced boomed all around them; making everyone pause, bow their heads and flinch at his tone. The wolf’s eye color had been gold for generations. His ancestors created the building that way as a showcase of their loyalty to their deity. It has been passed down from generations that changing the wolf head’s eye color bring forth devastation. Odin can still remember the haunting story told by his mother. His grandfather had changed the eye color once and plagues swept through their species. Almost all female wolves died and pups perished. Males would go through excruciating pain whenever the moon rises and no amounts of sacrifices and prayers to the goddess would end their suffering. This just added to their species hate and disdain to their family. It’s the reason why Odin’s grandfather died early. Only when the eye color was changed to gold did the sufferings ended.

    And now, someone dared to change its eye color! Screw this! Odin refused to add more problems on his hand and more hate to their family. Angrily, he rushed to the top of the building. Knowing that it will take him longer to get there from the inside, he chose to climb the building from the outside. Running towards the building, he jumped five feet away from the entrance and landed 10 feet above. His claws sank through the Aidra – allowing him to stay in the spot before using it to boost himself up. He scaled the building as fast as he could, not minding how his suit is slowly tearing from his excessive movements. After all, it is not made for high energy activities. Odin used his upper body strength to scale the building up and used his legs' power to boost him higher and higher. He used the rough spaces between the metals as climbing points. He could sense crowds gathering beneath the building and even heard some employees scurrying towards the windows to look at what is happening. Odin ignored them all along with the sweat gathering on his body, his muscles bulging in effort, and the cold wind stinging his face and trying to deafen him. He knows that he must look ridiculous and deranged at the moment but he doesn’t care. Losing face is better than subjecting his kind in that same suffering again.

    Halfway up the building, two of his company’s helicopters swooped down with weapons ready. But the moment they recognized him, they brought their weapons down. ‘Perfect timing’ Odin thought before changing course and heading near the nearest helicopter. Gaining enough distance, he gave a waiting signal towards the pilot of the copter before leaping towards it. He landed at the entrance of the copter. His weight and the impact of his speed and jump made the copter swerve and tilt. For a while, the copter got out of control – making it spin in circles and nearly dive down. Odin quickly went to the pilot and helped him control the copter. Everyone sighed in relief when the copter went stable.

    “Take me to the head...fast!” Odin ordered.

    “Yes, sir!” the pilot said before flying the copter higher in the sky. The cold winds blew past Odin – ruffling his clothes until he tore off his ripped suit in irritation at the material - leaving him in his white dress shirt. The higher they go, the colder the air became and it clears Odin’s head for a bit. The moment the wolf head is within reach; Odin jumped out of the copter and dove in towards one of its eyes and smashed it to pieces with his fist. The polycarbonate glass easily broke from his strength and impact; showering him with millions of pieces of glasses and blood as he landed in a crouching position inside his office. He could already sense that something is wrong the moment he landed. Besides the scratches on his skin, his injuries that he reopened, the damage on his shirt, and the eeriness in his office, the fact that his office is more cloaked in shadows than usual and the pungent scent of unknown blood just further proves that his instincts are right.

    The sound of the copter flying away became distant but the alarming feeling makes his ears ring in alarm. Looking at the other eye, he confirmed that it is blood indeed – the same blood currently on his body and floor from his entrance through the window. It is less viscous than paint and the metallic scent alone is enough to determine it as blood.

    ‘Whose blood?’ Odin thought as he swept his eyes around his office floor while dipping a finger at a pool of blood and sniffing it. He growled upon finding out that the blood is mixed with other bloods. There’s no specific scent but a mixture of it; making it harder for Odin to determine whose blood it is. Were they part of his company or pack? Odin hoped that is not the case. He ransacked his memories for any missing cases of the people and creature under his care along with details that may lead to this current situation but he has none. He could think of motives and possible suspects but unless he could point out who the victims are, he can’t do anything about it. Mind-linking one of his secretaries, he told her to get the investigation team along with the cleaning crew to get to his location immediately. Standing up, he winced at his injuries before taking another look at his floor in case he missed something. He nearly choked on his spit when he deciphered a familiar silhouette sitting on his chair. Cloaked in shadows as usual, those piercing golden-yellow eyes stare back at him with a mysterious glee in them that caused shivers and goose bumps to go through Odin’s body.

    “Wha-what are you doing here?” Odin asked in alarm. How did he get in the company? Most importantly, how the f*ck had he found out Odin’s location? Did the partial mating somehow gave him the ability to pinpoint Odin’s location? It can’t be. Only fully mated mates have the ability to accurately know and sense where their mate is. Odin had never heard of any mates having that ability without being fully mated. Perhaps the hellhound has other means, but how could he have gotten in without the creatures in the company sensing him? Moreover, how come nobody stopped him from entering?

    “Did you like my gift?” the hellhound asked instead that irritates Odin.

    “I asked you a question first.” Odin retorted, crossing his arms over his chest in a defensive gesture. Already, the bond is at its tricks again; urging him and stimulating his instincts to fully mate with the hellhound.

    “I asked you a question, second.” The hellhound has the nerve to f*cking tease!

    “Get.out.” Odin gritted. “I have no time for your sh*t so get lost!”

    “Ouch!” was the hellhound’s indifferent reply. “Was it so wrong to visit my mate especially when I miss him?” he asked as he uncrossed his legs and stood up. The light from the broken window behind Odin reached the hellhound; slowly casting light over him as he rises until the sunlight hits his gorgeous face and making his golden eyes shine bright like the sun itself.

    ‘D*mn it! Stop pounding!’ Odin scolded his heart when it started to beat harder and harder the longer he’s in the presence of the hellhound.

    “I’m not your mate! Get it through your thick head!” Odin denied angrily.

    “You’re right.” The hellhound replied – shocking Odin.

    “Wait what?” Odin asked – dumbfounded. The hellhound usually insists on making Odin accept him as a mate so why is he suddenly agreeing now?

    The hellhound smirked. “You’re my wife.”

    Odin’s eye twitched in irritation while his wolf howled in joy. “What the f**k?!” Odin growled before lunging at the hellhound. “How dare you refer to me as a female, you foul, shithead, abhorrent, son of a b*tch?!” Odin snarled as he attacked the hellhound with consecutive punches, swipes, and kicks. Referring a dominant alpha male as a female is very insulting to alphas so Odin couldn’t stop his temper from rising.

    As if being irritated by being referred to as a female is not enough, the hellhound dodged all his attacks easily while chuckling; making him even more furious.

    “Because you’re certainly acting like an angry wife right now, little feisty cat.” The hellhound smiled as he blocked Odin’s incoming punch with his right hand.

    Odin growled and swung his left hand to punch the hellhound only for that to be blocked too. Odin tried kicking him but the hellhound was quick to kick Odin’s other foot; making him lose his balance. Already, Odin could see the hellhound reaching out to him so he twisted his body and kicked at the hellhound to propel himself away from him.

    “You’re even dumber than expected since you think that a 6’7 male is little.” Odin taunted as he landed on a crouch.

    The hellhound smirked wider. “Because you are.” He said as if it’s an obvious fact.

    “That doesn’t mean that you’re 7 ft. in height means everything smaller than you is little!” Odin retorted while pointing a clawed finger at the hellhound.

    “How do you know my height is 7 ft.?” the hellhound suddenly asked; making Odin realize his mistake.

    ‘Because I measured it using my imagination after the first time I met you’ Odin thought embarrassingly but chose not to admit it. He doesn’t want to give the hellhound any details about him and his thoughts. “Anyone with a brain can figure that out.” Odin replied instead.

    “Oh? You must be really smart then if you guessed it that accurately.” The hellhound praised, making Odin puff his chest out at the compliment. It is, after all, an Alpha’s nature to be prideful and proud.

    “So you’re finally acknowledging that you’re dumb?” Odin taunted but was shocked when the hellhound was suddenly in front of him and brought their foreheads together by pulling Odin close by holding his nape.

    “As much as I enjoy bantering with you, flaming tomato, I must take my leave now for some urgent matters.” The hellhound whispered tenderly to him that makes his heart pound even harder. Odin doesn’t want to admit it but somehow, he’s sad that the hellhound is leaving already despite wanting him gone just a few seconds ago.

    “G-good then. Leave and never come back, you f*cking a**hole.” Odin’s voice lacked conviction and the hellhound knows it.

    The hellhound chuckled once more before capturing Odin’s lips on his in a surprisingly tender kiss. For some reason, Odin didn’t resist and just let the hellhound kiss him. Despite having hard and muscular bodies, their lips and touch feel so soft against each other. Odin feels like he’s on a blissful, fluffy cloud while kissing his mate. Everything melts away except the feeling he’s receiving from the hellhound – from the way the hellhound holds him so tenderly yet firmly, the way the hellhound slants his head to the side to fully engulf Odin’s lips, the way the hellhound runs his hands lovingly across Odin’s body, the way the warm and comforting sparks are left after the hellhound’s trailing touches, the way the hellhound lovingly lick his lips and playfully nip at it, and to the way their hearts pound hard against their chest as if wanting to jump out and beat together makes Odin feel like he’s at home – at a place of comfort, security, love and good things. Odin doesn’t want the feeling to go away but he was disappointed when the hellhound pulled away when the door to his office barged open and the investigation and cleaning team along with his secretary flooded in.

    Odin was horrified at being caught in his current situation that he couldn’t think properly as he meets his workers’ shocked expressions.

    Things got even worse when the hellhound said “Oh well, that’s my cue. Don’t miss me too much, mate, and don’t forget to check out my gift in the lounge area.” before jumping out the open window.

    Odin couldn’t even get himself to check if the hellhound fell for his death because he’s facing an even bigger problem in front of him. How the f*ck is he going to get himself out of this f*cking mess?

    Damn it, he’s screwed.