It was in the middle of the night when Dorian woke up with a jerk. He sat up straight, his heart pounding in his chest, and cold sweat covered his naked body. Dorian panted as if he had been chased, and it felt like he couldn't breathe. He needed air.
On each side of him were his husband and mate. Finian had his back to him and hugged his big belly. Shiro was on Dorian's left side, lying more on him than on the mattress. Shiro's legs were over Dorian's firm thighs, and one of Shiro's arms held Dorian's chest in a steady grip. Normally, the omega's half-naked body against his would affect him, but not now. It felt like he was suffocating. Trembling but very gently, Dorian moved Shiro to the side and then, on light steps, he got out of the bedroom. He started running, through the living room, into the corridor and out into the hall. He tore open the door and dashed out of the house. The cold fresh air welcomed him, and he filled his lungs and carefully released the air again. He continued like that until he felt his breathing calm down and his heartbeat steady. Exhausted, he sat down on the stairs and leaned forward, his arms resting on his thighs, his head almost between his knees. He remembered the dream so clearly. He had been in the middle of the ocean, and he was struggling to stay above the surface. It was so painfully cold, and the almost black waves that washed over him were as tall as buildings. There was something beneath him, something that stretched up from the depths of the sea. Something that tried to grab his legs, but it couldn't reach him. Yet. But it was close. Dorian could feel it getting nearer for every minute he was in the water. A little closer, and he would be dragged down into the pitch-black abyss.
And just as the thing grabbed him and he was about to be pulled down below the surface, he woke up. Dorian knew why he had that dream. He didn't feel well, but he didn't want to admit it, not to himself or anyone else. But Dorian could no longer deny it. He was about to break apart. It felt like everything had become too much for him to handle. Whatever he did, no matter how hard he tried, someone in his family always ended up hurt. It was his job to take care of them, to make sure they were safe. He had failed as an alpha, father, husband and mate.
Dorian really tried, he did his best, but it always felt like he screwed up no matter what he did.
It all started when he met Shiro and acted like a real ass. Dorian still hated himself for how horribly he had treated Shiro. Wonderful, kind-hearted, soft, beautiful Shiro. How could he have behaved like that? How could he hurt someone as precious as Shiro? Shiro, who meant the world to him. He hadn't even managed to protect him from the woman who tried to kill him. Dorian hadn't been there for him.
And what if he had been more attentive during Shiro's release party, so Eamon wouldn't have been alone when he met Tem for the first time? Dorian knew he could have stopped Eamon from bonding with Tem. They would still have met each other, but they would have been able to choose when and if they wanted to bond. Perhaps when Eamon wasn't a minor anymore and could do the things a pair needed to do. It would have been their choice to make. And his little baby girl. It was his fault she was a prime alpha. If only he hadn't been one, then she would have been spared from all the pain it brought.
Dorian knew very well how hard it was to be a prime alpha. The dominating pheromones scared people, the intense need to protect your family consumed you. It wasn't like Dorian wanted to be like this. So desperate trying to make sure that nothing would happen to his family. If he could, he would split himself into several parts and watch over those he loved. Not to control how they choose to live their lives, but to keep them safe from harm. He hadn't been able to help them, and Dorian was convinced that he was completely useless. And the feeling grew bigger with each passing day. It gnawed at him, spread like cancer, and infected every single cell in his body.
The joy Dorian had felt over the news of the triplets had turned to anxiety and self-loathing. Shiro was so small. How would he be able to carry three children without getting hurt? Dorian should have known better. He should have used protection and not just left the responsibility to Shiro. Even if Dorian was happy to have children with his mate, he still couldn't stop blaming himself for the things Shiro surely would go through during the coming months.
Dorian was also so terrified that something more would happen to Finian. He knew he shouldn't have listened when Finian said he wanted another child. Finian was an alpha male and would turn forty in five years. His body wasn't built to carry another child. And more and more often, when he saw his beloved, Dorian was reminded of Finian lying bleeding on the floor, and it frightened him so much.
Dorian didn't want to see any of his loved ones cry again. He just wanted to see them smile, but how could he make sure of that when he himself felt like he was about to lose his own smile.
And his worries wasn't just about his family. He had the record company that he and Elliot had struggled to build. His pride and joy. His fourth child (soon to be his eighth child) and Dorian had completely neglected his work and responsibilities. He had left everything for Elliot to handle, and Dorian hated himself for that. The company was his baby and his prime source of fulfilment. The people he worked with were like family to him, and he missed them all. He missed going to work and to feet like he had accomplished something.
The feelings of guilt weighed on him and eroded his inside. But on the outside, he was the same as always. He smiled and laughed, but it wasn't real. He wore a mask. And he could have worn it every day and every night, but now the mask began to crack during the nights. When his subconscious was in control. Three nights in a row, he had woken up covered in sweat and in panic after the same dream. But it hadn't been as bad as now. That feeling of suffocation still echoed inside of him.
"What are you doing out here?"
Dorian flinched when he heard Shiro behind him. But he didn't turn around. He continued to look ahead towards the street.
Shiro woke up shortly after Dorian had left the room and waited for Dorian to return, but when he didn't, Shiro got worried and looked for him. He saw that the front door was open, and he could see Dorian sitting on the stairs. Shiro knew immediately that Dorian was upset. He could feel it.
"I needed fresh air," was all Dorian said.
Shiro knew immediately that something bad had happened. Shiro squatted behind his mate, put his arms around Dorian's broad back and leaned his head against his shoulders.
"You don't have to talk about it now, but don't forget that you can always talk to me about everything."
"Thank you, babe."
"Now, let's go inside. It's really cold."
Dorian got up, and hand in hand, they walked inside the house and to the living room. But when Shiro continued to walk towards the bedroom, Dorian had stopped walking. Shiro turned around and looked at Dorian.
"Come, let's go to bed."
"I won't be able to sleep," Dorian replied. He was scared. Scared that he would dream again. But he didn't say that to Shiro.
"But you're going to the office today Dorian, you have to sleep some more."
"You don't have to worry about me, Luv. But you need to sleep, so go to bed."
"Then I'll keep you company," Shiro said and sounded so determined that Dorian knew that it would be pointless to argue with him about it. He just asked Shiro to wait in the living room while he got his computer. When Dorian got back Shiro, he smiled when he saw the beautiful man lying on the sofa with a blanket tightly wrapped around him. You could only see his face. It looked like he was a beautiful butterfly inside a cocoon. Dorian got to the floor in front of the sofa and typed away on the computer. He managed to work for thirty minutes before turning around and looking at Shiro, who was gazing at him with a tender expression.
Dorian was filled with the unusual desire to talk about how he felt. He didn't want to keep things bottled up inside anymore like he had always done before. It had never done him any good to do that. He had just hurt himself and his family.
"What's the matter? Why do you look so sad?"
Dorian took a deep breath, prepared himself and told Shiro everything. About his recurring dreams, his anxiety, worries and the feeling of being useless. Shiro listened without saying anything until Dorian was done and looked at Shiro with worry. He knew that Shiro wouldn't judge him and think less of him, but still. His alpha instinct was crying out, telling him that he did wrong to worry his omega. But before Dorian could start to regret telling him everything, Shiro leaned forward, kissed Dorian on his forehead.
"Thank you for telling me."
"You don't think I'm pathetic?"
Shiro could hear the worry in Dorian's voice, and he shook his head.
"No, why would I? You do so much for this family, and we are all thankful for that. But you need to rely on us more. We are a family, we're in this together. And I'm so thankful that you feel that you can talk to me about this."
Very gently, Dorian kissed his beloved on both cheeks, then his forehead, templet, nose and the crock of Shiro's neck. The light kisses made Shiro tremble, and he closed his eyes. It was a remarkable thing. How easy Dorian could light a sparkle of longing in Shiro. The gentle kisses, the way Dorian looked at him and mostly that he felt safe enough to confide him. Not Finian, but in him. It meant so much to him.
"You forgot something," Shiro said when Dorian's kisses stopped.
Dorian hugged Shiro with his head leaning on Shiro's chest, and he looked up at his mate with a frown upon his face.
"Did I?"
Shiro nodded, looking serious as he put his fingers to his lips.
"This place."
It only took a few seconds before Dorian's lips was on Shiro's, kissing him over and over again.
"I love you," he said between the kisses. "I love you, I love you," until the kiss deepened and their tongues crashed together.
Their kiss was so intense that they had to take breaks to catch their breath. But the breaks weren't long. They just looked at each other, panting and then crashed together again.
Dorian climbed up on the sofa and got on top of Shiro, who trembled with excitement as his mate gazed at him with eager eyes. Shiro squirmed under Dorian, and he flinched, startled when Dorian's big hand slipped under his boxers and gently caressed Shiro's already hard cock. Dorian stroked it carefully, getting Shiro so hot it was as if he had a fever, and he became even hotter when Dorian pulled down his boxers and tightened his grip on the leaking cock. Shiro bit down on his lip, trying to stifle his moans, but when he felt he was getting close, Shiro put his hand on top of Dorian's.
"I want to come with you," he whispered in a shivering voice.
As if Dorian had waited for those words, he quickly took off his boxers and pulled Shiro to him so that the man sat in his lap, with each leg around Dorian's waist. Dorian took both their cocks in his hand and resumed stroking them. The two men never took their eyes off each other nor their lips. And moaning between the kisses they came.
Leaning against each other, forehead to forehead, they rested, panting, trying to catch their breaths.
"I love you so damn much," Dorian said and kissed Shiro again.
"I love you too."
Shiro smiled and closed his eyes. Dorian could see that he was exhausted and would fall asleep at any moment, so Dorian lifted Shiro in his arms, which made Shiro let out a surprised yelp and stare at Dorian.
"Let's get clean, then we go to bed."
"You too?" Shiro sounded worried, and Dorian smiled. It was a gently smile.
"Yeah, me too."
Dorian didn't let Shiro walk. He carried his mate, first to the bathroom and, after that, to the bedroom. Shiro didn't object. He was tired and happy to be near his love. Gently, Dorian put Shiro down on the bed and carefully took his place beside him. He was in the middle, between the two people he loved the most. With a warm gaze, Dorian looked at Finian, who was sleeping soundly, still caressing his belly, and then he turned to Shiro, who was on the verge of falling asleep. Dorian pulled Shiro close and hugged him. And like that, they fell asleep.
Four hours later, Dorian woke up and felt quite rested. He hadn't had any nightmares, no more panic attacks, and his heartfelt lighter. However, Dorian had difficulty moving when he first woke up, and it was because Shiro was lying on top of him with his cheek against Dorian's and his arms in a firm grip on Dorian's shoulders. It wasn't heavy. Shiro didn't weigh much, and it wasn't really uncomfortable either. But he hadn't been prepared to be used as a mattress, and even though Dorian tried not to laugh, he couldn't. And he laughed so hard that Shiro woke up bouncing up and down on Dorian's stomach. Next to the bed, Finian stood with his mobile phone and took photos of them while he shook his head and looked as if he was watching some aliens. Which made Dorian laugh even more. And his voice echoed throughout the house.
After two hours, Dorian left for work. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he was immediately filled with a wonderful sensation of peace. This was his second home, and those who worked were his second family. Before heading to his office, Dorian took a stroll through all the departments. He had so many to visit, both old colleagues he had worked with since the beginning and new ones he only knew the name of. He met artists he had signed when they were brand new, and now they were stars, known all over the world. And Dorian met new artists who had just signed a contract with them.
On the way to the breakroom, Dorian met Jane Gray. Without hesitation, the woman threw herself at Dorian with a little shriek. The tall man laughed at the woman and hugged her back. While Janes new colleague stood with her mouth open in shock over Jane's behaviour until a third colleague leaned towards her and whispered that Dorian wasn't like other chiefs. That he was a great boss, who had a big heart and treated the employees like good friends. Had Dorian heard that, he would probably have denied being a great boss. But it would have made him happy nonetheless.
After talking to Jane for a bit, Dorian went to the break room. But he stopped at the entrance. Unable to move. There were way too many people. People who shouldn't even be there. Like Finian and Shiro. Dorian stared at them with disbelief. It wasn't his birthday. Why were they there, smiling at him? Looking so happy.
A well-dressed man that Dorian had never seen came up to him. The man had some sort of picture frame in his hand and in the other a bouquet of blue and red flowers. Dorian first stared at the man, then at Elliot, who was closest to him. His best friend had a big grin on his lips. He did thumbs up, which confused Dorian even more.
"Dorian McCallister. You've been selected to be DT's Person of the Year. Congratulations!"
The man handed over the frame and the flowers. Dorian took them, but he didn't really know what he was doing. He stared at the things in his hands and didn't understand a thing. He knew what DT was. It was one of England's biggest newspapers, and he knew what the Person of the Year award was. But he couldn't understand why they were there-
"You have over the years broke the music industry's norm to only employ alphas and betas. You have hired omegas, not only to work with the music production but also as executives. You have been inclusive and shown that you value competence over genders. You have contributed greatly to omega's rights and the equality between genders," the man said and smiled at Dorian.
"Your deep love for your family and your respect for your employees make you a person to look up to. And not to forget your sex appeal and good fashion sense, which is the icing on the cake. You have also been voted the sexiest man in Britain by our readers. These are some of the reasons that you have been chosen as DT's Person of the Year."
Dorian stared at the man. It felt surreal like he was talking about someone else. It wasn't until Elliot shouted while laughing, "The great McCallister is shocked into silence!" That Dorian flinched and was able to speak.
"I don't think my way of looking at genders is special at all. It doesn't matter if you're an alpha, beta or omega. Competence doesn't come from what you have between your legs or what kind of pheromones you emit. Competence comes from passion, from an aspiration to learn more, to dare to face challenges, and not give up. I hire those I believe in. I'm proud of all my colleagues. And regarding my family, I wouldn't be who I am without them. They are my everything. But I don't know about that sexy and fashionable part. I don't agree, but thank you!"
When Dorian finished speaking, he was greeted by applause, and Lucas approached him with a glass of champagne and hugged his brother.
"You really deserve this."
Dorian held his little brother tightly before Lucas lifted the glass and proposed a toast.
Although the only thing Dorian wanted was to take Shiro and Finian in his arms, several others wanted to congratulate him so unfortunately, it had to wait. But after countless thank you's and three glasses of champagne, Dorian finally walked up to Finian and Shiro. They smiled happily at him, and Dorian's heart pounded hard in his chest. They were so different from each other. Finian was still well built even though he hadn't worked out for months, and Shiro was petite, resembling a fairy from a fable. Finian had his thick and short ginger hair, which Dorian loved to pull his fingers through. It was smooth and nice to the touch. Shiro's hair was like dark silk, shimmering in the light, mesmerising.
But for perhaps the first time, the two men wore similar clothes. Finian was wearing a white shirt and a pair of black pants, while Shiro wore ripped black tight jeans, a white sweater with a long black jacket. They were so handsome that Dorian couldn't understand why they wanted to be with him. And feeling like the luckiest man on earth, Dorian ran up to them and embraced them both. Shiro burst out laughing while Finian gave Dorian a kiss on the cheek.
"My sexy husband," Finian said, stroking Dorian tenderly on the other cheek.
Dorian laughed and shook his head.
"Stop teasing me."
Dorian's cheeks were red, and he looked down, obviously embarrassed. Which made both Finian and Shiro feel a bit tingly.
"But you are. Everything he said about you is true."
Dorian looked at Shiro, and Shiro just wanted to kiss his mate hard and long. Shove his tongue inside that mouth and taste this sexy man. His sexy man.
'So hot,' Shiro thought, and a bit annoyed, he forced the thought away, not wanting to get aroused.
"That's right. You're a wonderful person, and we love you," Finian agreed. He was so proud of his husband.
Dorian kissed them both. His blue eyes were filled with tears, and a sparkling smile was on his lips. He loved them so.
It was a happy Dorian who basically bounced around the office that day. He would just check the email and listen to some newly signed artists, then he, Finian, Shiro and Elliot would go out and celebrate. Dorian got to decide where to go, and he chose his and Elliot's favourite pub, just a block from the office. It was an old-fashioned pub, a couple of hundred years old and classically decorated with dark brown ceilings, walls and floors. There was a great atmosphere with people who had finished their work for the day and talked and ate in good company.
The group of four ate together while talking about the award, and when they had finished eating, Finian and Shiro decided that it was time for them to go home. Finian was tired, and Shiro thought Dorian and Elliot needed some alone time. The two best friends hadn't met for a long time, and Shiro knew that Dorian had missed his friend.
After kissings his two lovers goodbye, Dorian took a large sip of his third beer, and content, he sighed as he placed the glass on the table.
"Ahhh, that was good," he said, leaning back in the chair.
Elliot, who was already on his fourth beer, nodded eagerly.
"So, how're the kids doing? Have things gotten better?"
"Things have actually calmed down. Caoimhe has started her medication, and so far, there are no side effects. Finian has booked an appointment with a counsellor she can talk to as well. And Eamon and Tem became a couple yesterday."
Elliot's eyes widened as he stared surprised at his friend.
"But Eamon didn't like men, did he?"
"I still think that's the case, but it's Tem as a person Eamon has fallen in love with. I really don't think it would matter if Tem was a woman or a man. And they are after all a fated pair with a stronger bond than even a normal fated pair, like Shiro and me. Eamon really likes to be with Tem. I mean, he's almost never home. Hell, if Eamon could decide, he would probably move in with Tem already."
"It doesn't sound like Eamon at all. I mean, he's always been sort of a loner, hasn't he?"
"I know. But he likes to be with Tem so much that he's starting to change."
"Well, I'm very happy for Eamon's sake, but still. What a surprise!"
Dorian smiled at his friend. Elliot was Eamons godfather, and he had always been close to the boy.
"One more beer before going home?" Dorian asked, and Elliot nodded, downing the rest of his beer.
Dorian got up and walked towards the bar, and as soon as Dorian had turned his back to Elliot, the man quickly picked up his cell and wrote a message to Eamon.
'Congratulations to your boyfriend. Good job, buddy,' and he ended it with lots of hearts and smileys.
Elliot grinned as he sent the text and quickly put down his cell phone when Dorian returned.
"Why are you smiling like that?" Dorian asked suspicious, gazing at his friend. Elliot had a huge grin on his face.
"Whatever do you mean?" Elliot replied in a sweet, innocent voice, fluttering his eyelashes.
Dorian sat down with a frown on his face but shrugged while mumbling "whatever" and took a sip from his last beer.
"So, how's Katie?" Dorian's voice and gaze were to Elliot surprise somewhat sad.
Elliot sighed before answering, and his playful expression turned solemn instead.
"She's having a hard time. She misses you, Finian and the kids so much, and she really regrets how she treated you. At first, she was shocked, then she was scared. She was terrified that you would leave Finian. Dorian, you two are like her brothers. So she wants to meet you and ask for forgiveness."
Dorian didn't say anything for a while. He slowly drank his beer while Elliot was looking at him. He was anxious. This past month had been hard for Elliot as well. His wife had been depressed, both because she missed her childhood friends but also because of the guilt she felt about how she had behaved. Elliot just wanted his wife and their best friends to be like they always were, close as siblings.
"We miss her too. Hell, Katie is family, we love her. Of course, we forgive her."
Elliot let out a deep breath and smiled with tears in his eyes. Feeling so relieved. Dorian raised his glass. Elliot did the same, and then they brought them together.
"To the world's best friend and colleague," Dorian toasted.
"To the sexiest man of the year," Elliot cheered.
The two men broke out in laughter, and while drinking their last beer, the two friends sat and talked about everything between heaven and earth. Dorian didn't drink anymore when the glass was empty, but Elliot, happy that everything would turn out alright with the wife and their friends, decided that a glass of whiskey would fit as the last drink for the evening. But one sip of the amber liquid, and Elliot regretted it immediately. The whole world was spinning, and it felt like his stomach turned inside out. Elliot jumped to his feet and almost ran towards the restroom without a word. Dorian watched Elliot run away with a grin on his face, pleased that he hadn't drunk the beers as fast as Elliot.
Feeling content with his life, Dorian sat and looked at the other pub guests. It had been a long time since he had hung out with anyone outside the family. It felt liberating.
"You must be thinking about something really nice with that happy smile on your face," a soft voice said next to him, and Dorian looked to the side.
A black-haired young woman sat in the empty chair next to him with deep brown eyes and a gentle smile on her face. Dorian looked surprised at her. He hadn't noticed her sitting down, and he didn't recognise her as someone he knew.
"Thinking about the wife?"
"Husbands and I'm not thinking about anything special at the moment. Do I look happy?"
"Yeah, you do. You have that 'I'm so happy I could burst'- look on your face."
Dorian snickered.
"There's a look like that?"
"Yes, but it's really rare. So where did your friend go? He really downed those beers. It was quite impressive."
"So you kept a tab on us?"
"Of course! You're the sexiest guy here. Everyone wants to fuck you."
What the woman said made Dorian burst out laughing and look at her in disbelief.
"Exaggerating much?"
"No. You can see how they look at you. Everyone imagines you doing them."
Dorian looked around. Sure, some people were looking his way, but far from everyone. Dorian turned back to the woman. She didn't have any makeup on, and she was wearing a black t-shirt with the words 'Not going to lie. You suck!' on it. Dorian loved that shirt.
"Not everyone is looking at me. And even if they were, I wouldn't be interested. I don't want anyone other than my husbands."
Dorian deliberately called Shiro his husband. It was after all already as if they were married.
"Husbands? Like in more than one?"
Dorian just nodded and said nothing more. The omega frowned but let the matter go.
"I'm jealous."
"Why?"
"Anyone can see that you really love your husbands. That expression you have says everything. I hope they understand how lucky they are."
"How can you be sure of that just based on my expression? I might be an awful person."
However, the woman shook her head. She seemed certain.
"Nah, I'm never wrong about stuff like this," she said and just smiled at Dorian as her phone started ringing.
"I got to take this, my darling wife is calling. But it was nice talking to you."
And just like that, the woman stood up and walked through the crowd, leaving Dorian staring after her. Without understanding what exactly just happened. But he didn't have time to think about it. Elliot came back from the restroom, but he didn't sit down. He looked like he'd been through hell. His face was pale, his eyes were red, and his brown hair was messy.
"Are you alright?"
Elliot shook his head. He looked tired.
"No, I'm not alright. I want to go home."
"Alright, let's grab a taxi."
Together the two men made their way through the crowd of people. The chilly night air hit them when they stepped outside, and Dorian took a deep breath. It was still spring, so the nights were still a bit cold. But it was refreshing.
Outside the pub were a lot of people. Even though Dorian tried to avoid bumping into someone, suddenly a person crashed into his side. When Dorian looked down, he could see a small man lying on the ground. Dorian hadn't moved an inch when the man crashed into him. He was after all sturdy man with his two metres and firm body.
Dorian leaned down to help the man, who was unquestionably an omega, but when he grabbed the mans arm to lift him up, the man flinched and looked at Dorian with a terrified gaze. The man was trembling. Dorian frowned and pulled the man up. He knew his appearance could be somewhat scary for omegas, so he gently smiled, hopefully showing that he wasn't a threat.
"Everything's okay?"
When Dorian asked, he noticed a large bruise around the man's wrist, and Dorian quickly let him go. It couldn't be him that made the injury. He hadn't grabbed the man that hard. The omega nodded, and while looking down, he mumbled:
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Dorian saw that there were more bruises on the man's body. On his cheek and neck. Some were old, fading. Other bruises were new with a deep purple colour.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
The man, brown-eyed with dark brown hair, nodded again. He didn't say anything.
"Dorian, I feel sick. I want to go home!" Complained Elliot behind him. He was holding on to Dorian's black jacket like he was a little child, afraid to get lost in the crowd.
Hesitant, Dorian smiled at the omega and started walking with Elliot in tow. Something about the way the omega acted didn't feel right. And he was far too young to be outside this time a day. He couldn't be more than eighteen years old.
Dorian looked for a taxi when the two men managed to leave the crowd behind them. Then suddenly, someone grabbed his shoulder.
"Eh, bruv. Don't fucking talk to my omega, you bloody cunt."
Dorian spun around. A man with a shaved head and completely dressed in black stood before Dorian and held his left shoulder in a firm grip. If it had hadn't been someone as strong as Dorian, the person would probably have been injured. But not Dorian. He barely felt a thing, and he stared at the hand on his shoulder in disbelief.
"Excuse me?" Dorian said, his brow raised in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
"That's my omega you touched before. Who the hell do you think you are talking to him?" The man said, still holding on to Dorian's shoulder.
"What's the problem? He fell down, and I helped him up."
"Yeah right, you fucking wanker. I saw you. You want to fuck him," the man bellowed and shoved Dorian's shoulder.
Dorian barely moved even though he was pushed hard, but before he could do anything, Elliot stepped in front of Dorian as if he wanted to protect his friend. And it would have probably looked impressive if Elliot hadn't been swaying back and forth.
"What the hell's your problem, you piece of shit?" He yelled.
"Fuck off. No one's interested in what a worthless beta have to say."
The alpha took a step towards Elliot. It was obvious that he wanted to fight. Dorian had to get Elliot away from there.
"Okay, that's enough. We're going to leave now," Dorian calmly said.
But he wasn't calm. Not at all. Dorian was angry as hell and wanted nothing more than to break the man's face with his fist. However, he was the father of three (soon seven), he was a devoted husband to two and the responsible President of a company. He was the bloody Person of the Year. He didn't get into fights.
Sadly.
As Dorian grabbed Elliot's arm and started walking in the opposite direction, the omega he just minutes ago had helped came running. Dorian followed him with his eyes and watched as the man threw his arms around the alpha that was apparently his mate. He was looking at him with pleading eyes.
"Please stop. Nothing happened."
The alpha glared at the man holding on to him.
"Shut your fucking mouth. Getting all wet for every alpha you see. Forgetting who you belong to."
Dorian stared at the couple with dread. He just knew that this wouldn't end well for the omega. But Dorian had to get Elliot away from there. Then he would go back and make sure that the omega was alright. He just couldn't leave the poor young man alone with this asshole. Dorian turned around, grabbed Elliot's arms and started walking.
"But he just helped me. Please Jonathan, can't we just go home?" Dorian heard the young man say, and then the omega shouted, 'Stop!'
Dorian heard a loud cry, which was the last thing he heard. Something hard hit Dorian in the side of his head, and for a moment, he blacked out. Dorian fell down but came to life before hitting the asphalt. He braced himself with his hands and managed to stand on all four. The pain didn't come immediately, but when it did, it was as if his head exploded into a thousand pieces. He cried straight out, and it echoed in the street, making everyone around him quiet.
'It hurts! It hurts!' That was all Dorian could think. He had never felt a pain like that before. Then something hit him again. However, Dorian didn't cry out this time, and he would have blacked out again, but a disgusting smell from another alpha's pheromones kept him from going unconscious. It kept him from feeling pain. It was a primitive Prime Alpha instinct that took over Dorian, and everything that happened was completely out of his control. He wasn't even aware of what was going on. On shaky legs, Dorian stood up. He felt no pain. He didn't notice that he couldn't hear or see with his left ear and eye. There was nothing around him. All that existed were the other alpha's sickening pheromones. The man's scent wasn't allowed to be there. So Dorian released everything he had.
Dorian didn't remember anything that happened after that. Elliot later told him that when Dorian was hit with the glass bottles, Elliot had been by Dorian's side. He had been in shock, but Dorian's cry of pain pulled him out of the confusion. His friends roaring scream stormed through Elliot, and it felt like his heart had stopped. He shouted Dorian's name, bent down and when he saw his friend's head covered in blood, Elliot froze. He couldn't move. When the second bottle hit Dorian, he turned around and watched as the alpha was grinning triumphantly. The omega was crying hysterically. Then suddenly, Elliot sensed Dorian move beside him, and he turned and looked at him. Elliot watched as Dorian stood up, and even though he as a beta had felt some of Dorian's pheromones once before, there was nothing against what happened now.
A heavy blanket of pheromones pushed Elliot to the ground. But it wasn't just him, but everyone within a ten-meter radius fell over. The pheromones from a Prime Alpha completely paralysed them, so they couldn't move nor utter a single word. They just lay huddled, trembling with fear.
Elliot didn't see what happened next, but a taxi driver in his car saw Dorian approach the alpha who had thrown the bottle at him and was just staring at the man, where he was lying on the ground, his pants covered in piss, and tears and snot ran down his face. Dorian never touched him. All he did was spread his pheromones without taking his eyes off the alpha, and Dorian was completely expressionless. Like a lifeless thing with bright yellow eyes. All the while, the blood ran down his neck and onto his clothes.
After a little while, the police arrived, wearing masks, which were rarely used, and shot Dorian with suppressors. It took a great deal before Dorian even stopped releasing his pheromones. But other than that, he didn't seem affected at all. The first ones that were free from the influence of the pheromones were the betas, and Elliot jumped to his feet. He ran towards his best friend and noticed that the police officers were about to fire more suppressors.
"He has a yellow bracelet!" Elliot screamed, referring to the bracelet Dorian wore so that paramedics wouldn't give him suppressors.
"We need to keep him calm," one of the officers replied in a stern voice, not taking their eyes from the Prime Alpha.
"But he is calm. He doesn't do anything!"
Elliot got to the closest police officer and looked pleadingly at her.
"Please let me talk to him. He will listen to me."
The police looked at him for a long time without saying anything. It looked like she was trying to figure out what to do.
"What's your name?"
"Elliot Hendricks. And that's my best friend, Dorian McCallister."
"Is he an aggressive person?"
Elliot stared at the woman. Did she see the same Dorian as he did? Dorian wasn't aggressive at all. He just stood there. Sure, Dorian released a hell of a lot of pheromones, but who could really blame him? He just had two bottles thrown in his head.
"No, not at all. Dorian wouldn't hurt a fly. Please let me talk to him. I will get him into the ambulance."
"It's too risky. We can't guarantee you safety."
Elliot was starting to lose his patience. His best friend was hurt. Dorian was a bloody mess, and he needed medical care. And the police just wasted time.
"Oh, for fuck sake!" Elliot muttered and ran past the officer and towards Dorian while the people around yelled at him to stop.
Elliot wasn't scared. It was Dorian, after all. The kindest guy he knew. And Dorian needed his help.
When Elliot got closer to Dorian, he gasped and held his trembling hand in front of his mouth open in shock. Dorian's left side was unrecognisable. He couldn't even see the wounds because of all the blood. But he could see that there were still shards from the bottle, where Dorian's eye and ear were under the dark red blood. Elliot wanted to cry, he was soo close to it, but he kept it inside. He needed to keep going.
Elliot passed the man that was the cause of everything. Elliot wanted to kick the bastard in the groin but didn't want to dirty his shoes. The alpha hadn't just pissed his pants. The air around him was filled with the stench of shit. And it made Elliot so pleased that he thought about taking a picture of the asshole, but with the officers around, he decided that it was best if he didn't.
Next to the alpha sat the omega. He gripped his legs and rocked back and forth while tears ran down his face. Dorian's pheromones only seemed to affect the alpha on the ground. It was the first time Elliot could see the young man properly, and just as Dorian had done, Elliot reacted to how young he was. He couldn't be old enough to drink alcohol. Elliot leaned down and managed to catch the young man's gaze.
"Go to the police over there. They'll take care of you. Tell them everything that happened. And don't lie. Okay?"
The young man flinched as Elliot began to speak, and he stared at him in horror with wide eyes. But the kid nodded and quickly got to his feet and ran to the nearest police. Elliot followed him with his gaze. He sincerely hoped that the boy wouldn't lie to protect the alpha. But it was something they had to take care of later.
"Dorian, how is it, buddy?" As soon as the words left Elliot's mouth, he got a déjà vu, and a shiver went through his body. He and Dorian had been through something similar. Back when Dorian met Shiro for the first time. Now prime alpha nature came forward for a completely different reason, and Elliot was sure that if Dorian hadn't been the kind person he was, the alpha on the ground would have surely been ripped to pieces by now.
Dorian showed no reaction to Elliot's words, and Elliot tried again.
"Please, buddy, look at me. You're hurt, and I want to help you. Come on now, you have to snap out of it."
At last, Elliot's words seemed to reach him, for Dorian slowly turned his head and gazed at Elliot. It looked like his eye were burning, and Elliot was grateful he wasn't on Dorian's bad side.
Dorian whispered something, but it was far too faint for Elliot to hear.
"Please, say it again!"
"I'm scared!"
What Dorian said could seem odd because even if he was expressionless and just stood there, he still was terrifying, so much that even the police were nervous around him. But this strong man said he was scared, and then Elliot knew. Dorian was helpless, trapped in the grip of the pheromones. Of course, he was scared. Who wouldn't be?
"I will help you. What do you need?"
"Shiro. I need Shiro!"
Elliot took out his phone. It only took a few seconds for Shiro to answer.
"Shiro, listen carefully to me now. Dorian has been assaulted, and we need you to come. He's just like he was when you two met."
Elliot didn't want to waste time telling Shiro about everything that had happened. Shiro just needed to come quickly. And it took a while before Shiro answered, and when he did, his voice trembled.
"Which hospital?"
Elliot turned to the paramedics who stood close by the ambulance and asked which hospital Dorian was to be taken to. Then he repeated what they told him, and Shiro said in a trembling voice that he and Finian would get there immediately.
When Elliot ended the call, he took a deep breath. He approached Dorian and took his friend's hands in his.
"Everything will be alright. Shiro and Finian are meeting us at the hospital."
Elliot turned to the officers.
"We're going to the ambulance now."
Elliot didn't wait for an answer, and still, with Dorian's hands in his, he walked towards the yellow vehicle. Dorian followed him like an obedient dog. Still with the same empty expression. When they got to the ambulance, the paramedic didn't hesitate. If they were scared, they didn't show it. They did their job. Dorian stepped inside the ambulance and lied down on the stretch. Dorian never said a word, and he showed no pain. All he did was stare up at the ceiling.
It didn't take long for the ambulance to reach the hospital. Dorian was rushed into a room, and when the doors closed behind him, Elliot collapsed in a chair and burst into tears. He saw his bloody hands for the first time, and he cried. Everything he had kept inside flooded over.
After a while, Shiro and Finian came running. Finian gasped as he entered through the door. He shouldn't have run, it was dangerous for him, but he didn't think about that. When Finian saw his friend crying with bloody hands, Finian stopped and stared at him.
"Elliot?" He breathed. His voice trembled.
Elliot looked up. His eyes were red and swollen.
"He's alive. He's not going to die. But his face, Finian. It's not good. It's not good at all."
Finian looked around for a doctor, and when he saw one, he took quick steps to talk to him.
As soon as Shiro got inside the corridor, the pheromones from his alpha took over. It wasn't the usual feeling that filled him. It wasn't longing nor desire. It was the knowledge that his alpha needed him. Shiro ran through the corridor, past Elliot and Finian, and tore open the doors to the emergency room. Dorian was lying on the bed, and several people were standing around him. Shiro saw blood. He saw someone put pieces of glass in a stainless steel bowl.
"Dorian?" Shiro's voice trembled.
The hospital staff around Dorian looked at him. Someone said he had to leave, but Shiro refused to listen to them. He rushed to the bed, pushed himself between the nurses, and he stared at his beloved. Big compresses were placed over Dorian's left eye, temple, cheek and ear, and there was dried blood down his throat, neck, and hair. A whole a lot of blood.
"Shiro?" Dorian's voice was hoars.
"I'm here," Shiro said quickly, taking Dorian's hand.
A faint smile came over Dorian's lips. His eye regained its blue colour, and the remaining pheromones disappeared at once. Only some lingered.
"Is Finian here too?"
"He's outside talking to a doctor."
Dorian tried to keep his smile but couldn't. He bit his lip, and with a weak voice, he said.
"Shiro, it hurts so much."
The words struck like a knife into Shiro's chest.
"The doctors will help you, my beloved."
They looked at each other, and Shiro kissed Dorian's hand tenderly.
"We need to put him to sleep. When the pheromones have completely disappeared, he will be in a lot of pain," one of the doctors said in a serious voice.
"Please wait! Could someone go and get Dorian's husband Finian first."
Shiro noticed the confused looks on the staffs faces, but he ignored them. He had gotten used to it by now.
"Alright, but hurry," the doctor said and told a nurse to go.
Shiro turned to Dorian and kissed his hand again.
"I love you, Shiro," Dorian's voice was weak, but Shiro could hear the sincerity in his words.
"I love you too."
Finian rushed into the room, and he didn't stop like Shiro had done but went straight to the bed, took Dorian's free hand in his and leaned his head against Dorian's chest. He cried, and it was heartbreaking.
Shiro closed his eyes. He didn't want to see his friend's tormented expression. He was reminded of what Dorian looked like when Finian was in the hospital. Finian had now the same desperate look on his face. He cried in the same devastating way. Shiro shared Finians despair, but Dorian was alive. Shiro had once lost his mate. However, his Dorian was there with them, breathing, he had looked at him, and he had been crying. Dorian was alive, and that was all that mattered.
"Everything will be fine," Dorian said. He had forced himself to stop crying, and he tried desperately not to tremble in his voice. He was scared. Afraid of himself and afraid of the pain that would come.
"We have to put him to sleep right now," the doctor said firmly, and Shiro gently kissed Dorian.
"See you when you wake up," he said, moving so that the anesthesiologist could come forward. Dorian gave Shiro a small tired smile.
"Yeah, see you later, babe."
Shiro looked at Finian, who hadn't moved. He still had his head resting on Dorian's chest, and Dorian tenderly stroked Finian's hair.
"Honey, you have to go now."
Finian shook his head like a defiant little child. Still saying nothing.
"Come, Finian. Dorian need to rest."
Shiro never thought the moment would come when he was the one who comforted and supported Finian. But for once, it was he who was the strong one. Maybe it was because of the remaining alpha pheromones that affected him, or it was because he had been in a similar situation before. Shiro held his arm around Finian's shoulders, and then he started walking towards the door, with Finian by his side. When they were almost out of the room, Dorian shouted:
"Don't worry, my loves. I'm the Person of the Year. I'm gonna be alright. And don't forget, I'm fucking sexy too!"
The two men stopped and looked back at Dorian, who was grinning as he received anaesthesia. The respirator went back over his mouth and nose again, and Dorian waved goodbye.
"You're such a nerd, and I love you for it," Finian managed to laugh and kept walking, now without Shiro's support. Dorian could still joke, and that brought them hope.
After more than an hour after Dorian had been put to sleep, Finian and Shiro got to talk with a doctor. They had been sitting outside the room where Dorian was, listening in horror to Elliot as he recounted what had happened after they left.
When they finally got to see the doctor who examined Dorian, Finian and Shiro were extremely anxious. Finian held the chair's armrest tightly while Shiro nervously tapped his fingers against his thighs.
"We have been able to look more closely at the injury now that Dorian is asleep, and unfortunately, I have to say that his wounds are severe. Dorian was extremely unlucky when the bottles hit him. A shard from the bottle hit his left eye and punctured it. We can't determine how serious the injury is, so further examinations are needed. The same applies to his left ear. The other bottle hit the side of the head, more specifically the ear, and there is great damage to both the outer ear and inner. But we also need to examine exactly how the ear is injured. There is also great damage to the skin between the eye and the ear. We have stitched the wounds together, but there will be big scars when the wounds heal. We have done a CAT scan on his head, and there are no injures. And that is really good news. "
Suddenly Shiro didn't feel so strong anymore. He had understood that Dorian was seriously injured, but when he heard the doctor speak, he realised it was more serious than he had thought. And Shiro started to shiver.
Beside him, Finian leaned forward with a grim look on his face.
"How about the heat suppressants. How will you treat it?"
"We hope that the worst of it will be while he's unconscious. But we will give him an IV and strong pain relief. Then we will have to decide what treatment will give him."
Finian continued to ask the doctor questions while Shiro grabbed his knees. The grip was so hard it was painful.
"Dorian is alive. That's the most important thing. Because he will survive, right?"
Finian turned to Shiro. The black-haired man was pale, and Finian saw how much he trembled. He saw that Shiro had bit his lip so hard that he had drawn blood. Finian got up from his chair, walked over to Shiro and took him in his arms.
"He will be fine. It's Dorian after all."
In Finian's safe embrace, Shiro broke down. He held on to Finian with a strong grip, and Finian held him back just as hard. United in their concern and love for their Dorian.
Just as Finian had said, everything went well, given the circumstances. Dorian slept for a few hours, and even though he was tired, he didn't feel any after effect from the suppressants. He was given morphine to cope with the pain, making him calm and quite content with life for the moment.
Finian and Shiro were relieved to see Dorian sitting and smiling at them as they entered. He had a bandage over half his head, but still, he smiled, and his blue eye sparkled. It was their Dorian. Strong, wonderful, cheerful, a little bit crazy Dorian. And they loved him.