Beckett didn't have time for distractions. The Den still had inventory to restock, a reputation to maintain, and business to keep running. If he let himself get caught up in the bullshit; the vandalism, the threats, and now Victor Castellan -- he'd be playing right into their games. So he didn't. 

He spent the next few days focusing on finding new distributors. It was a slow process, slower than he liked, but he was making some progress. A few places were hesitant to take on a new client, especially one that seemed to already have a target on their back. However, money talked and Beckett knew how to make a convincing offer. The Den would be back on its feet, that much was certain. 

What wasn't certain was why Gabriel had been so scarce the past couple of nights. Beckett hadn't seen him lingering around the bar like usual, hadn't gotten a single sarcastic remark thrown his way. It wasn't that he missed it, he just found it strange, and that could only mean one thing...he was probably up to something. 

--

Gabriel wasn't the type to just sit back and wait. He knew Beckett wouldn't ask for help -- hell, the guy would rather set himself on fire than admit he needed backup -- but that didn't mean Gabriel was going to let him handle this alone. Beckett was sharp, tough, and smart; however, he had a blind spot when it came to thinking he could fight every battle with sheer force of will. Gabriel had a very strong suspicion that this wasn't just about business either. 

So, he did what he did best, he asked around. A few conversations with the right people, a couple of favors called in, and it didn't take long for a pattern to emerge. There was that name again, Victor Castellan. Gabriel leaned back in his chair at the bar he had stationed himself in for the night, swirling a drink in his hand. 

Victor was a panther hybrid, a dangerous man with more connections than sense, and someone who very much didn't like competition. Gabriel had worked with him before -- briefly, many years ago -- and he knew the guy didn't take losses lightly. If Victor saw Beckett as a threat, he wouldn't stop at just intimidation. 

Jaw tightening, Gabriel threw back the rest of his drink and groaned. Beckett needed to know. Of course, that was going to be its own challenge, because the firey omega wasn't going to like that Gabriel had gone behind his back. 

--

Beckett exhaled as he signed off on the last contract, rolling out the tension in his shoulders before stretching nice and big. A relieved shiver ran down his spine, making his tail flick as his ears twitched. Three new distributors. Two short-term, one with potential for a long-term deal. It wasn't perfect, but it was enough to keep things running. 

Progress. 

Which is why he was especially irritated when Gabriel strolled into his office. Not looking up, he neatly gathered the papers and placed them in a designated contract folder, "If you're here to hover, I'm busy." 

Gabriel ignored that completely, "You're looking in the wrong places..." 

Beckett sighed, "For what, exactly?" 

"For your problem." 

Beckett finally set the folder down and gave Gabriel an unimpressed look, "I've already made headway in my problem, I've just signed on some new suppliers so inventory should be covered..."

"I'm talking about Victor." 

The omega paused, his gaze quickly darting anywhere but on the persistant alpha. This was enough for Gabriel to approach, head tilted in equal parts curiosity and concern. 

"Beckett?" 

"What makes you think I have a Victor problem?" there wasn't any bite in Beckett's tone, more hesitant, as if testing just what it was Gabriel was trying to get at. 

That was all Gabriel needed to hear to realize that Beckett's whole plan was to just ignore Castellan, "Asked around, Beckett you can't seriously be thinking about ignoring him." 

Eyes snapping back onto the alpha, Beckett grabbed onto the only subject that would turn scrutiny off of himself, "Wait, you went behind my back?" 

Gabriel didn't flinch right away, "Yeah..." then he flinched, the casualness of his tone had caused something between them to snap and he knew it. Just his luck, he was a fraction of a second to late to stop it. 

Beckett stood abruptly, chair scraping against the floor, "Are you fucking kidding me?!" 

Looking at how things had snowballed, Gabriel figured now was as good a time as any to air out his concerns, "What? Clearly you were on the verge of making a monumentally stupid decision. You can't just ignore a man like Victor." 

"Wh..what? Stupid?!" Beckett's whole body was tense, every hair on the back of his neck raised as he bared his teeth, "Ha! You've got no right sticking your stupid nose into my business! I called you for help one time and you think that makes us something more than business associates?!" 

This time it was Gabriel who's hackles raised, "Oh, I'm sorry, did you want to keep running in circles while some asshole tries to push you out? Thought I would save you the trouble, but clearly princess here has everything under control." 

Eye twitching, Beckett just growled, "I don't need you to save me. I've survived plenty of alpha's like this Victor, he's not special." 

Gabriel's expression darkened, "Yeah? Could've fooled me," he approached the desk and leaned in real close, "A lone omega doesn't stand a chance against a man like Victor, if he can't have this place, he'll destroy it." 

Beckett's hands slammed down onto the desk, "Get the hell out." 

Gabriel's expression vanished, leaving it unreadable, "What?" 

"I said, get the hell out!" 

That's what he thought Beckett had said, he let out a sharp breath, shaking his head, "You know what? Fine," he turned on his heel, moving toward the door, "don't come crying to me if shit hits the fan a little to hard for ya." 

Beckett didn't stop him, didn't say a word. But right before Gabriel stepped out, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder. 

"You're gonna have to deal with this sooner or later, Beckett," his voice was quieter, but no less firm, "Like it or not, you're in a fight now. Pretending you can handle it alone? That's just gonna get you hurt." 

Beckett didn't reply, so Gabriel scoffed under his breath and walked out, slamming the door behind him. 

For a long time, Beckett just stood there, heart pounding, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Then, slowly, he sat back down, fingers pressing against his temples. Damn Gabriel. Damn him for being right...