Chapter Text
Hannibal found New Orleans an interesting city to hunt in, very different from Baltimore. The odd collections of streets and ever present crowds of people even in the middle of winter presented new challenges to him. However, he was nothing if not adaptable, and it certainly wasn’t the first time he had to adjust to new hunting grounds. In fact, he found it a rather refreshing change of pace. Perhaps he would take more guest teaching positions.
He cut through a back alley near the home of a rude grocer who had crushed his bread while bagging last week when an enticing scent hit him. A moment later the sounds of an altercation reached his ears. Moving through the shadows, he rounded the corner to find three thuggish alphas cornering the source of the alluring scent.
The lesser alphas were too distracted posturing to notice the omega reach into his pocket. Hannibal watched, fascinated, as the young man lashed out at the closest attacker, inexpertly slicing his throat and getting caught in the arterial spray. The other two cried out, enraged, one shoving the omega hard into the wall, stunning him and causing him to drop the knife.
On a sudden impulse, Hannibal stepped in, pulling out his handkerchief as he did. He slammed one attacker’s head into the wall, then quickly scooped up the dropped knife with the handkerchief and sliced the throat of the last alpha. He then put the knife in the hand of the one with the crushed skull. It all took less than a minute. He then turned to the would-be victim.
Hannibal’s breath was briefly taken away by the stunning sight of the beautiful omega before him. Pale skin was splattered with the blood of the attacker he had so righteously slain. His dark curls tousled over wide, piercing blue eyes. Though he was young and lithe, putting to his mind an image of pre-Troy Achilles, his eyes held a world weariness that spoke of an old soul. It was that perceptive gaze that prompted Hannibal to make his second impulsive decision of the night.
He precisely folded his pocket square back, tucking it into his suit and mentally recomposing himself as he addressed the younger man.
“Good evening. If you will forgive my manners for being forward, would you care to join me at a venue better suited for conversation? I wish very much to speak with you.”
This disarmed him as Hannibal had intended, leaving the young man blinking at the incongruity of the civil words with the savagery of the situation. The omega visibly gathered himself.
“Lead the way.”