Chapter Text
Hannibal sat on the shade of the umbrella at the New Orleans Country Club. It was easy to view the beautiful omega women lounging in the sun. A shimmer of bronze to their fair skin, chatting away freely and casting a few glances and winks in Hannibal’s direction. Some were just barely of age.
He’d been abandoned already by Donald Sutcliffe. His work colleague excused himself when a pretty beta had caught his eye. Hannibal didn’t fall so readily for the women that tried to capture his attention. Or the omega men in the pool diving under to pop back up again and flash grins at him.
A few alphas close by were discussing what they wished to see some of the women in later that night for the debutante ball. Others were pleased with their current state of dress. Some of them just enjoyed to ogle them knowing nothing would come of it. They were serving themselves up in the hood of catching a wealthy alpha, showing their beauty was their only tool to catch their prey.
For Hannibal though, what he had seen so far held no fancy for him. He debated if taking the invitation had truly been a wise decision. The omegas believed he was simply after beauty when what he desired was out of reach for all of them.
To the omegas, he was just another alpha looking for a pretty mate. For Hannibal, the reason he attended was the same, but its purpose was a necessary part of staying in the States.
It is part of the reason Hannibal came to New Orleans. The South still held on to traditional views, a dowry expected for omegas. Married off and sent into the world to be the perfect mate after attending their finishing school.
Hannibal regretted listening to the story from his colleagues, stating how they were wonderfully schooled in cooking and for social occasions.
He didn’t need a cook or a housemaid, a pretty thing on his shoulder to show off at parties. He did well on his own, always holding everyone’s attention and envy.
He just needed permanent residency status without the scrutiny of a background check into his past. Without Inspector Pazzi trying to make his life in America as difficult as possible because of his preconceived notions he was Il Mostro.
Though he’d been released without charge, Pazzi never stopped following him after his release. It was only by coming to America that he was able to escape the man’s attention.
“Would you like a refill, sir?”
“No thank you.” Hannibal glanced at the hotel waitress and the bottle of red she held. The same as what Hannibal had been drinking.
She gave a curt nod and left.
Setting his empty glass on the table, he looked to the water, watching the boats bob in the water. Perhaps find where some of the other omegas were lounging. See if there was a diamond among the rough.
The rough waves and elegant yachts tethered to the mooring seemed to beckon him. The creak of old wood on the pier as he walked, weathered from many storms yet still standing.
A scent caught his nose, cinnamon with something wild about it. Turning, he watched something jump from a yacht. Dark curls ruffled in the breeze, some clinging to his head from the sweat, chest bare with beautiful dusty pink nipples.
Floral notes of verbena washed over Hannibal when the stranger looked at him. Bright blue eyes dazzling, young. Certainly no older than 20.
“Common whatcha do’in boy!” Someone yelled.
Said boy looked away, and caught the rope that came flying at him before he began to heave a pull. As it tightened, Hannibal saw the motor of the yacht rise up, being guided by another, same hair color, but bigger build.
Hannibal wondered if the verbena would bloom more if the boy was flushed. But there was no doubt he was omega.
“Put it down over there!” The older one shouted.
The boy did so, maneuvering the engine to the center of the pier and dropping it carefully.
“If you’re wanting ya motor fixed, there’s no space till next week.” The older man spoke to Hannibal before he looked a little more. “Unless ya paying cash for a quick fix, I can put you before someone else.”
“Unfortunately, I do not own a yacht.” Hannibal addressed him, then caught the look from the teenager. Something pierced him about the boy's hunger. Hitting him like an arrow in the chest, making him bleed like he was wounded, a feeling he hadn’t experienced before. Hannibal cocked his head before he looked away. “Not yet anyway.”
“Ya looking for one?” The man spoke, leaning in a little more. Eyes narrowing a fraction.
Hannibal saw his interest in money. “Yes,” he spoke, deciding to run along with it.
“William,” the man bellowed. The boy grimaced slightly. “Go show him the yacht at the end.”
Hannibal walked over without waiting for an invitation. Closing in on the omega, he allowed himself to bathe in that scent he was coming to enjoy already. At least he was beautiful so far.
“Just call me Will, everyone else does, dad just calls me that.”
Hannibal watched the hand come out, rough and calloused, black stains from the oil and grease of the motors he no doubt worked on.
“Hannibal,”
The offered hand wasn’t taken, and Will bowed his head a fraction in shame. Shoulders falling before taking it away and muttering a sorry.
“I would normally reciprocate the gesture, unfortunately,” Hannibal was in cool colored linens that would easily stain. A lie given he wanted nothing more than to reach out and take Will's hand, to scent along his wrist and kiss the back of his hand to feel the beat of his heart in the arteries.
“Oh, yeah.” Will seems to appreciate the dishonest answer.
Hannibal smiled a fraction.
“You’re not from around here, huh.” Will smiled back before beginning to walk to the yacht his father had instructed him to.
“Maryland, Baltimore.” Hannibal supplied, knowing it was not exactly what Will had meant.
Will narrowed his eyes a fraction before he chuckled, looking down, then up through his lashes at Hannibal. “You’re European, but further north. Somewhere cold.”
Hannibal felt his smile grow a fraction, interest piquing. More so when the verbena scent grew sweeter. “Then I won’t give it away.”
-
Viewing the yacht was a pointless endeavor. It was old and needed repairs. The motor worked well, but the style was too old. There was no kitchen. The scent of mold grew stronger the deeper in they went.
That and Hannibal didn’t truly want to buy a yacht. However, to be in Will’s company a little longer, he would.
Will was stunning. Intelligent and wanting to further himself educationally, currently denied by his status and lack of money. While Hannibal listened to Will talk about wanting to join law enforcement, he was fascinated, though he found himself admiring Will’s lithe form.
How Will could be so flexible in opening the hatch to go into the cabin, how he tilted his chin and bared his neck when he tightened the rope of the sails. The stretch of his body and how he turned, the dim light in the cabin made his eyes grow brighter and more alluring.
“I’ve been saving for the past year, but it’s not enough yet.” Will let out a sigh.
Hannibal felt his alpha instincts purr with the beauty of which Will closed his eyes to then open and look at him. Like he was the only one in the world to see him.
“Other states are more amenable to an omega enrolling in law enforcement, even having separate accommodations for them during their training.” Hannibal forced himself to look away, not because he wasn’t interested. The more he saw, the more he wanted to move forward and bite that sweet pale neck, sinking teeth into flesh to leave his mark to make others aware that this Adonis belonged to him.
“Yeah, but every academy’s admission process requires an omega’s partner or parent to sign off on it.” Will sighed.
Hannibal smirked a little, though when he spoke, his voice was borderline clinical. “Your father does not approve?”
Will canted his head like a cat, a pump of his eyebrows. The silent ‘of course not’.
“Then perhaps you should find someone that would be willing to accommodate to your needs,” Hannibal spoke as he watched Will lean against the wall in the cabin.
“What kind of alpha would allow me to enroll in the force and spend most of my time chasing criminals or walking the beat,” Will spoke.
It was well known that omegas in Louisiana were to married off, more for alphas to start families. Those who were not so fortunate were sold to brothels, and sent into a life of servitude for any alpha in need of a mate for their rut.
“What money have you saved so far?” Hannibal asked, watching Will’s face falter slightly.
“I had a bit, before.”
“Before what exactly?” Hannibal spoke, wondering what Will had spent it on, seeing the guilt in his face.
“I found a dog, a stray. He was sick, I got him treatment, and medication for his heart. Diuretics.”
Hannibal could guess there was an issue with fluid overload in the circulatory system given the drug was used to reduce fluid volume. “It cost more than you expected?”
“I didn’t mind spending the money on him,” Will admitted, a small smile. “He was happier.”
“How long ago did he pass away?” Hannibal asked.
“Two weeks,” Will brought his arms up to his chest, more self-comforting. “I knew it was coming, he was older. I’m just glad he felt loved before he passed.”
Hannibal gave a nod, more akin to understanding. He could see Will crouching down to feed the stray. Giving it the food from his plate, the scraps, and whatever he could find. Then he could also read between the lines of Will’s story, though he stayed, a dog did not truly hold him back. But a parent would.
Will’s life in Louisiana was destined to be dragged from boat yard to boat yard with his father, who used to fix motors and put food on their table. Barely scraping by from the ribs Hannibal could see.
“What bought you here from Baltimore?” Will asked, changing the topic.
“New Orleans Débutante ball, a friend insisted I attend,” Hannibal spoke with an element of truth. Though he watched Will’s face fall a little.
“Oh,”
Hannibal felt something within him twist, seeing the seeds of hope, Will’s desire in him. Already under the belief he wouldn’t be good enough compared to the omegas who would attend the ball. “I suppose you are more of a traditionalist then?”
“Hardly,” Hannibal smirked, watching Will almost do a double take.
“Then why come to the south?” Will tilted his head, eyes lifting.
The question was hopeful, that perhaps Hannibal would look past the other omega’s. To see Will instead. Will’s eyes held hope of a future when he looked at him, though it suddenly broke.
“What do you think of her?” Will’s father came into the cabin.
Will moved off the wall, standing straight and looking down automatically. Swallowing, hands down by his sides.
“Did William show you around?”
“He did, though unfortunately, it is not to my taste.” Hannibal gave a polite nod. “I didn’t catch your name?”
“Bill,” A rough hand was shown, more calloused than Will’s own, but not as dirty. Yellowed fingers from years of smoking. Alcoholism made itself known by the slight tremor it had when they shook. “Bill Graham.”
“Do you have a business card, if I do end up buying a yacht, having someone local to fix the motor and set it up would be useful,” Hannibal spoke, missing Will’s voice, though watching how he winked away into the shadows. He wondered what happened behind closed doors, more so when Bill kept Will in his peripheral vision. Never letting him from his sight.
“I do,” Bill spoke, a glint of money in his eyes. A piece of paper was torn off a letter, Bill scribbled his name and number before passing it over.
Hannibal took the paper, a glimpse of ‘past due’ just noticeable on the tattered edge. Still, he put it in his pocket as though it was a proper card, then he bid them a polite farewell.
As he stepped onto the pier, he caught the look Bill gave him, before it turned to one of annoyance as he grumbled under his breath at Will. The omega shrank back, shoulders hunching as he seemed to plead.
It was unusual to see a beta father an omega, Hannibal briefly wondered if Will’s mother was an omega herself. More importantly, why she was not in the picture. Hannibal hadn’t detected any other scents upon Will, showing he was technically living alone, only his beta father.
As he returned to the bar, Donald Sutcliffe spotted him, walking over quickly with a girl attached to his arm.
“I see you have been out observing the local fauna.” Donald wiggled his eyebrows.
Hannibal didn’t rise to the bait, but the girl on his arm scoffed.
“Bill and Will Graham, hardly fauna, more swamp rats. That kid is weird, mimics people’s speech, too opinionated for his own good. That and their thieves!” She said with her nose in the air, as though she was far superior.
“See, Emily knows this place well.” Donald smiled, grabbing Emily’s waist and pulling her closer for a kiss.
“And I’m sure Mandy has things settled at home in your absence.” Hannibal looked to the bartender, smirking as he heard the stomp of Emily’s heels.
“You said you were single!”
“That’s just something he always does when I get a girl and he’s alone.”
The clack of heels and slight commotion made Hannibal grin, ordering his drink as he scented the wine and sipped, turning back to see Donald watching after her.
“Remind me to never invite you along to one of these again.” Donald straightened his shirt, flagging the bartender himself. Cheeks reddened, a desire to yell, though they both knew he’d gone for a beta instead of an omega.
It was something Donald did frequently, when he was away, his mate at home. He’d wine and dine a beta woman, lavish her in attention, rut himself to completion several times and do things that his omega partner did not enjoy before cutting ties with the woman and returning home to his mate happy and sated with their bond for another 6 months. Mandy was none the wiser, or perhaps she was but resigned herself to the arrangement. Perhaps Donald always simply chose beta women due to the inability to leave a scent behind and pick up on a mated alpha.
Hannibal stayed quiet while Donald ordered his own drink, savoring his wine as he contemplated what he had seen so far.
It had been 4 years since he had left France and traveled to America. His residency at Johns Hopkins was coming to an end, there was a contract on the table for him to stay.
A decent salary was offered, the ability to expand his knowledge with the opportunity the hospital would afford him. It was the leading hospital in the states, Hannibal’s success rate in his surgeries so far was the best they had seen.
The only thing holding Hannibal back was applying for permanent residency. It would mean there would be a background check, looking into his past and his link to Il Mostro in France.
Though he was never arrested or charged, he was still detained by Inspector Pazzi. It would show up due on reports, the immigration office would look further.
They would talk to Pazzi, he would share his suspicions, the belief he was Il Mostro. It would be recorded due to his status in the police force.
While Hannibal did not feel a threat from the knowledge being known, given nothing was ever proven. He also did not need scrutiny, now or in the future. The less suspicion upon him would be better.
The student Visa he had acquired to come to the States would expire in a few weeks. It was far easier to acquire the student visa, all he needed was proof of scholarship or to show he was enrolled in a University program. The residency had met this criteria. He wouldn’t be able to apply for another, given his studies were finished. Applying for a working visa would still see a background check conducted.
The one way he could avoid a background check was the find an omega mate. To apply for permanent residency through marriage or bonding. Marriage was only available for betas. Alphas and omegas could only gain it through bonding.
Hence he used his free weekend to travel to Louisiana to buy a mate. Something he frowned upon, but with such little time remaining and even less desire to return to Europe so soon, there was a lack of options available.
The South still held onto old traditions, asking a dowry for their omega’s. The poorer the family, the less scrutiny, and dowry being asked. The fewer questions asked or expectations set.
Hannibal normally would never have considered buying a mate, a belief he could never find someone that would measure up to his intelligence, and expectations of beauty and elegance. Or understanding of him. The ability to look at him with love and devotion that many omegas did with their alphas.
If they knew what he was, what he did, they would run away screaming or die by his hand trying to escape.
“So, who’s this Will?”
Donald broke Hannibal’s thoughts, blue eyes sparkling at the forefront of Hannibal’s mind. How stunning he looked in the sun and leaning against the wall to show off his body. How he dipped his chin to look up through his lashes.
“An omega I met on the moorings. He was hoping to sell a yacht.” Hannibal sipped his wine.
Donald huffed a laugh, smiling wider. “What that all he was selling?”
“He was not as forward as the Emily you were with.” Hannibal grinned a little.
“That’s what they all want here, a wealthy mate to give them a lavish life.” Donald threw back his own drink, hand up for another.
“Could one be blamed when brought into a situation they have no control in?” Hannibal intoned.
“Suppose when you put it like that.”
-
The ball itself was beautifully decorated, alcohol flowed freely, and Hannibal found most of the wine passable. The food, well, he could see a few decent steaks to be made by some of the guests. What they served was more fitting of dog food than for his own palette.
Each omega was introduced, led by a family member to the room, or someone of notable significance.
Hannibal lost interest quickly, there were some beauties among the mass. But nothing caught his attention, his opinions of them dropped further when some of them talked or openly flirted.
After two hours, and multiple omegas introducing themselves, he needed fresh air. Normally he would enjoy watching people fall over themselves to come to him, to try and please. Watching the omegas try to destroy each other to paint themselves in a better light became quite dull.
There was no beauty or elegance in the Bitchness they threw at each other, vying for his hand.
Stepping out onto the balcony, the scent of cigarette smoke at least dulled omega hormones, and that of excited alphas. The night sky was clear, stars visible and a crescent moon illuminating the water around the country club. The rustling in the bushes to the side though caught his attention.
The predator within purred as he moved, heading to where he’d seen dark curls. When he caught Will there, watching the omegas inside, he wasn’t surprised.
“Will, I didn’t expect to find you here.”
Will leaped in the air, spinning so fast he almost fell before Hannibal caught him.
“If you’re not careful, people might believe you were spying upon the guests of the ball,” Hannibal spoke darkly.
“I… I was just-“
“Curious?” Hannibal finished for him, watching those blue eyes search frantically for a hint of anger or disappointment. Instead, they only found amusement, it seemed to make Will relax a fraction.
“Yeah.”
“Would you be interested in joining me, inside?” Hannibal offered, hand open for Will to take.
For a moment Will looked at him like it was a cruel joke, before beginning to realize that Hannibal was completely serious. Then he bit his lip, desire in his eyes to say yes. “I shouldn’t.”
“But you want to.” Hannibal couldn’t help but take Will’s hand, holding it in his own as he pulled Will from the window and into the moonlight.
“And I shouldn’t, I don’t belong in there,” Will whispered, taking his hand back and holding it, like he had treasured Hannibal’s touch. “They're not for people like me.”
“It is in fact exactly for omegas like you.” Hannibal tilted his head a little. “Though you would need to change before stepping inside.”
It wasn’t that Hannibal didn’t appreciate the shifts and singlet Will wore, showing off his body, but for a black tie event, it was hardly adequate.
-
Will fidgeted as he stepped out of the bathroom, Hannibal hummed in appreciation as Will looked at himself in the mirror wearing Hannibal’s shirt and jacket.
The sports coat had been slightly too small for Hannibal, on Will it looked too big, but he looked quite pleasing. The pants were slightly baggy, but it would be enough to allow Will into the ball.
That and every alpha that would pass by Will would pick up on Hannibal’s scent.
“You sure I look okay?”
“Adequate, if there had been time I would have bought something for you.” Hannibal came slower as he adjusted the collar of the shirt and then combed back Will’s curls. “Perfect.”
Will looked again, worry in his face before he seemed to glance back to Hannibal. When his shoulders squared and he held himself up higher, Hannibal wanted to move forward, to tilt Will’s chin out a little and tell him how well he was doing.
“Okay,” Will said softly.
As Will stepped forward, Hannibal controlled his urges, instead holding an elbow out for Will to take. Like the gentleman he was.
Will did, holding on as they walked back towards the ball. As Will caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, Hannibal saw the awe in his eyes.
“You look ravishing, darling,” Hannibal spoke, delighting how quickly Will turned his head. The red flush in his cheeks and going to his ears.
“Guess there’s a first time for everything.” Will smiled awkwardly.
“If I had the opportunity to court you, I would make it a daily occurrence at the least,” Hannibal smirked, already thinking of ways he could spoil Will.
“Including calling me darling every day?” Will grinned.
“Wicked thing.” Hannibal wanted to ravish Will then and there, already knowing he found the perfect mate to take home. Charming and witty, an omega who wanted to challenge the world, never taking no for an answer.
When they walked into the ball, Will stepped closer to Hannibal, allowing him to guide him. And Hannibal did, taking him past a table that was already staring at them, over to a small table in the corner where he pulled out the chair for Will and then sat next to him.
Hannibal couldn’t help but watch Will, whose blue eyes widened with awe as he watched other omegas dance with potential mates.
“You didn’t simply come here to be invited in.” Hannibal watched blue eyes turn to him, sharpen before the awe fell and Will gave a shy smile.
“No,” Will admitted. “To be honest, I don’t truly care for these things, the show of wealth between them.”
Hannibal chuckled. “I don’t doubt they treated you poorly during your stay here, and when you worked on their boats.”
“Better than some of the other places I have been.” Will looked back out to the floor, watching others dance. “Growing up poor, searching through trash to find dinner, you can’t help but have some jealousy for those who have had it easy.”
“That is not the only reason you came.”
Will swallowed, a shaker breath before he looked down sheepishly. “Normally when I talk to people about what I want to do, they scorn me.”
“Because of your desire to enter the police force?”
“Because of my desire to not simply accept settling down and fawning over an alpha, there is more to life than simply having children.” Will’s words were filled with anger.
It was understandable, given what the South normally desired of their alphas and omegas. To start families, to produce more, all while the alpha went out, held a job, and became successful. The omega partner was destined to stay home, normally pregnant while taking care of the other children.
No doubt, the people who tried to preach said words to Will were the same that told Hannibal he needed to mate and start a family. Will’s lack of desire to start a family right now appealed even more to him, nothing to tie him down, nothing concrete.
“I’ve heard you were quite opinionated.” Hannibal regarded Will again, admiring even more.
The words, however, seemed to have the opposite effect of what Hannibal was hoping for, with Will suddenly standing as he shook his head.
“This was a bad idea.”
“To come here?” Hannibal canted his head, curious.
“To think you were not like the other alphas. That you actually listened and understood that I wanted my own life.” Will spoke fast, anger rising.
“They label you as being opinionated because in truth, you desire more for yourself. They feel threatened that you wish to accomplish something and challenge their beliefs.” Hannibal says because that was the truth. As well as being threatened by Will’s beauty. The easy thing to do was tear him down socially, make him less desirable, and label him as an outcast.
It made Will pause, eyes searching Hannibal’s expression, yet seeming to find nothing. “Theme, if you knew of this before, why did you invite me?”
“I find you interesting,” Hannibal answered honestly, standing himself as he held out his hand. “When I saw you outside, I saw no reason that you should not be allowed to come and enjoy the festivities. This evening has been far more fascinating since your arrival.”
For a moment, Will seemed as though he wanted to run. Yet, something made him reach forward and take Hannibal’s hand.
When Will allowed Hannibal to lead him, Hannibal felt something within in him twist around his ribs, the ice around his heart melting, an ache to it being soothed by Will’s warmth in the palm of his hand.
Pulling Will close on the dance floor, Hannibal watched as Will looked up, how his mouth opened slightly and pupils dilated as Hannibal pulled him closer and into a walking position to dance.
Hannibal guided Will’s hand to his right shoulder before he let his own slip down to cup the curve of Will’s spine. A desire to go down to feel Will against him, but with so many around it would be improper.
When Will tried to match his first steps, he stumbled, Hannibal felt his lips twitch in endearment. “Stand on my feet.”
“I’ll hurt you.”
“Do you wish to dance?” Hannibal asked.
Will gave a nod, and Hannibal smiled a little wider. “Then allow me to carry some of the weight off your shoulders.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Will spoke quietly as he moved to stand on Hannibal’s feet.
“And there is plenty of time to learn to dance later, but for now,” Hannibal spoke before moving to waltz with Will.
The weight of Will on his toes was not overly heavy, Hannibal tolerated the pain for the delight that shone in Will’s eyes. After a few passes, Will took a tentative step off and picked up the waltz easily.
Slower, and slightly clumsy, but a few minutes later he was smooth, easily stepping up the pace and smiling wider.
As they passed a table near the edge, Will froze when he heard his name.
“Will Graham? How did you get in here?!”
“I invited him,” Hannibal said easily, turning to face the woman, watching her eyes go a little wide in shock.
“This is an invitation-only event!” She rose from her seat, squaring her shoulders.
“Certainly.” Hannibal drew himself up straight, looking her straight in the eyes. “Which is why I purchased them. Is there an issue with who I decide to dance with?”
“I should just go.” Will began to pull himself away, though Hannibal looked at him, eyes soft as he silently asked him to stay.
“Will is dressed appropriately, and I have the tickets with me if you wish to see them.” Hannibal reached into his breast pocket.
“Invitation or not, we have standards here.” She spoke scornfully.
Before Hannibal had the chance to respond, Will muttered something under his breath and ran.
Hannibal desired to go after him, but his attention was drawn back to the woman that had stormed over.
“Your invitation thank you.” Her hand was held out, demanding as she held her chin up, as though she was superior. Though Hannibal saw the jealousy in her eyes, the pride that swelled in her chest from making Will run.
Still, he placed his invitation into her hand, watching her read it before her face fell, and she cleared her throat. “You’re Hannibal Lecter?!”
“Is there an issue?” Hannibal knew there wasn’t, he had been generous in his donation to the ball, and it seemed to be making the woman backtrack.
“I…” she cleared her throat. “My apologies, I did not realize you had bought several tickets, um, if Will wishes to return-“
“Unfortunately, it seems the moment has passed us by.” Hannibal finished for her.
“I didn’t realize you had bought him a ticket, I didn’t see his name in the list when I created it.”
“Must have slipped your mind.” Hannibal gave her the feeble excuse, watching her clutch to it.
“Yes, unfortunately as secretary it can be a long list.”
Hannibal knew her name then, Marion Shears. Her ruthless demeanor was evident, certainly living up to what others had gossiped about. “If you excuse me, I have other matters to attend to now.”
Marion turned red in the face, slinking back to her chair. The others next to her then started to chat, no doubt about what had just happened, about Will being there and Hannibal dancing with him.
As Hannibal went outside, he tried to spot where Will may have gone. Though he followed his scent, he lost it only a few feet past the docks.
It felt like a fairytale to lose Will, an excuse to look for him to retrieve his clothing.
As Hannibal returned to his room, he knew he still had Bill’s number. It would be easy to call and pick up his clothing, but what he wanted to ask now was far more important.
Hannibal wanted Will as his mate.
If he was to choose anyone in such circumstances that were upon him, at least Will was interesting. He didn’t simply bend to what Hannibal desired, he spoke openly and unclouded by others' judgment. He spoke from the heart and had an appetite for knowledge that Hannibal wanted to nurture.
He could already picture having long discussions with the omega, desiring to have him in his bed underneath him keening. Body tense on the edge of orgasm before relief would come from the intense pleasure.
How Hannibal could wake to those blue eyes simply looking upon him. Delight in seeing Will curled up on the sofa reading from Hannibal’s own private collection of books. He wondered if Will would delight in the variety.
The piece of paper came out from Hannibal’s wallet, laid on the edge of the bedside table as Hannibal memorized it.
First thing in the morning, he would find out as much as he could about Bill Graham. Seek the weak link in his anchor that would allow him to unmoor his omega son into Hannibal’s hands.