― Hey bro! Are you still here?
― The co-op business is almost over, but I didn't call you for that. ― Jake said, standing a few meters away from the car, where the open door showed Theodore drinking water and lost in thought. ― I was walking back to my friend's house and found Theodore lying on the street.
― Theodore? You talk as if it were any street dog. Explain that better.
― I don't get it either, bro. I turned the corner with the car and he was lying in the street. He says he doesn't want to go home, but I'm getting worried because he seems to have hurt himself.
― Holy shit! Do you still have him there?
― Yeah, I'm two or three blocks up from Theo's house. Can you come over here and give us a hand?
― We're coming over right now. Hold on.
Turning off his mobile phone, Jake went into the stall to buy some candy. He kept his eyes on the car, always watching Theodore with that blank stare. Paying for the candy, the platinum alpha returned to the car and handed it to the omega.
― Here, they say that candy is good for blood pressure or anemia or whatever.
― Thank you. ― Answered Theodore accepting the candy and opening it soon after.
Theodore had told what had happened at the Jones's house, without hiding from his ex-boyfriend that he had bitten Gabriel and was expecting his baby. Jake had made no comment about the pregnancy, though he was surprised to hear about it. He was so young and going through situations like that.
But the most surprising thing was to notice that the omega did not shed a single tear. He seemed shaken by the situation, but he was not crying. Had he matured? What a surprise.
― God, it sucks that this happened to you again.
― I must have some kind of magnet for conservative parents, it's not possible.
― Don't you want to go to the hospital? You may have hurt yourself or the baby.
― I'm not leaving here without Gabriel. ― He said determinedly, leaving the other speechless except to laugh.
― Wow, I'm jealous now― he replied finally, smiling slightly as he noticed Theodore's eyes on him.
― It's weird talking to you like that.
― It's nothing, stop brooding. ― Jake laughed, ruffling the omega's hair. ― But seriously now, you've got to watch your back. It's one thing to be kicked out of your house, it's another to be pushed out when you're pregnant. You have to think about that child first.
― I know, but I have the impression that if I leave things just like that I will never see Gabriel again. In the end it will all repeat itself.
Making a slight grimace, Jake understood the meaning of those words, and that was why a twinge of guilt had been present. He was sure that he wasn't the only one marked by what had happened the year before. Standing beside Theodore, they chatted about what had happened until Nicolas suddenly appeared in a rush, paying little attention to the platinum alpha.
― Theo! Theo, how are you? Are you hurt? Who's the son of a bitch I'm supposed to kill? Just tell me, I don't even care if you're poor and can't get me out of jail later. ― Nicolas shot back as he ran up to his best friend looking at him carefully for any injuries.
― I'm fine Nico, I mean we're fine.
― That's a lie, you're moaning in pain when you move.
Theodore rolled his eyes at Jake, who had shown him his tongue childishly.
― What the fuck has happened?
― Where's Miles?
― He's there. ― Pointed Nicolas at the alpha who had been running in slow motion, tired and barely able to stand. ― Slow that's all. Even a granny could outrun him.
It had taken Milles a while to finally catch up to the car. Opening the back door the alpha had thrown himself on the seat panting. He was sweating profusely, about to spit out his lungs. Theodore turned with difficulty handing his water to the other blond, who drank in large gulps.
Recovering from his run, Milles had glared at Nicolas.
― Hey, I told you not to run. Oh, I almost died...
― How come you want me not to run when you said my little Theo got hurt?
― Were you worried? ― Smiled Theodore at his friend.
― I was, I'll kill you for that.
― What was going on? ― Milles asked, still lying in the back seat. ― Why the hell were you lying in the street like a dead dog?
Lowering his eyes to his hands, Theodore told him again about the fight he had with Gabriel the night before, about going after him to apologize, and about how they had been caught by the alpha's father. He had told of the fight, Mr Jones' reaction and his decision to bite Gabriel in front of his parents resulting in his expulsion from the house.
Nicolas cracked a weak smile as he snapped his fingers.
― 'Today's the day I kill one. Where is this son of a bitch's house, I'm going to set this shit on fire and end all this fuss!
― I don't believe you bit Biel in front of his father? That's brave.
― I was angry that he wanted Gabriel to be with your sister. I mean, he's with me, what the hell!
― See that, bro, he's learning to be brave. ― Milles joked as he looked at Jake, who stood with his arms crossed staring at the surprised blond.
― Yeah, I wonder who influences him.
Jake looked over at Nicolas, who had given him the middle finger.
― So, what do you intend to do now? Save your damsel in distress?
― I'm just afraid his family will take him away from me. Although Gabriel's mother seems like a good person, but I can't say the same for his father. ― Sighed Theodore making a face as he moved.
― Now that you've bitten him, there's no point in separating you two. An alpha is strong enough to protect his omega and his cub. ― Jake said. ― You just need to show that to your little father-in-law.
― I think I know how to do that. ― Nicolas grinned, looking at Jake. ― Only you'd have to be the villain of the story.
― No.
― Come on, I didn't even say what it was!
― The answer is still no.
― Why?
― It's your idea, which is reason enough for me not to want to get involved.
― Tsk, you coward. ― Nicolas held Theodore's hand and pulled him up slightly.
― What was your idea, Nico? ― questioned the blond without moving from his seat.
― Make Gabriel jealous to get him out of the house. ― The omega's attempt to repress his pleased smile was clear. ― Imagine the look on his face at the sight of Theo next to Jake. Ah, that would be so delicious.
― Clean out the poison, poisonous snake. ― Grunted Milles already sitting on the bench, receiving a growl from Nicolas. ― Can we think of something better while we eat? I'm starving.
Theodore got out of the car and turned to the three of them.
― You can go. I will not rest until Gabriel is out of that house.
― You don't even know what's going on there, Theo. Maybe Gabriel will show up at your house later. ― warned Jake worriedly.
― More likely he is getting used to the bite, the first few hours are tense. ― Milles reminded.
― Ah, go to hell all of you.― Growled Nicolas ― Let's get that brat out of the house because I want to kick his ass.
Nicolas pulled his friend along the pavement to return to the middle of the block where Gabriel's house was. Milles jumped out of the car and went to the side of his omega, seeming to accept the plan very well. Jake watched the three of them dumbfounded. He would never have imagined that they were friends and the type who would give trouble.
By the way, Theodore was pregnant. Could it be that no one was worried about him?
Sighing defeatedly the platinum alpha had locked the car and triggered the alarm before following them a few steps back. He'd better be close by in case anything went wrong.
They went on the other side of the street, standing in front of the Jones' loft that the four of them stood. Theodore looked towards the window looking for any sign of Gabriel, but could see absolutely nothing.
― Okay, how will we get out of the house then?
― You and I are going to look for some stones. ― Nicolas commanded, turning to Theodore. ― Which is his room?
― That one over there. ― Theodore pointed to the front window on the second floor.
The shorter omega directed a deep look at the platinum alpha before pulling Miles into a corner and searching for rocks. Jake scratched the back of his neck standing next to Theodore looking uncomfortable about agreeing to childish ideas like that.
― Are you going to go along with the little guy's idea? I mean, that means making your boyfriend jealous.
― His dad already knows we're here.
Jake turned toward the house, noticing that in a ground floor window, almost hidden by the tall rose bushes in the garden, a man was watching from the corner. Almost imperceptible though he could feel the warmth of his eyes from afar.
― Was he the one who pushed you?
― Uhum. He'll probably think that because I'm with you I'm an omega promiscuous. I don't really like that idea, but I need to see Gabriel somehow.
― You guys are too Machiavellian. But that's okay. We'll do it to save your damsel.
Theodore let out a low laugh, stroking his midriff.
Minutes later Milles returned with a good amount of stones in his blouse, and Nicolas picked them up one by one throwing them towards the window his friend had indicated earlier.
― Be careful not to break this shit.
― Shut up, big guy.
― I won't have money to pay for your damages.
― I'll hit you if you don't shut your trap. ― growled the short man throwing another stone.
Even though stones were being thrown, no one appeared at the window. Theodore was still being watched as he felt a weight on his shoulders.
― He won't show up. I think we'd better try again later, Theo. ― Jake said worriedly, trying to get the omega home.
― I know he'll show up. Calm down.
It took several tries and the pebbles were running out. Theodore moistened his lips impatiently running his fingers through his blond hair.
― I'm going to break this fucking window if this pest doesn't show up. ― growled Nicolas just as impatiently.
― No way. ― The alpha blond scolded.
Watching the failed attempt, Jake figured Theodore was about to give up on the idea. When the omega turned away from the house, Jake had spotted the brunette alpha appearing in the window and looking in his direction.
Finally the damsel in distress had made contact. And with just him!
Holding Theodore's hand, the platinum alpha grinned.
― All I need to do is get your boyfriend out of the house, right?
― Huh? Well, just being here I think is enough. Why's that?
― Then I'll make him explode with rage to get to you.
Turning to Theodore, Jake held his face with both hands slowly bringing his face closer to the blond's. A dangerous proximity that surprised both the blond omega and the brunette alpha who watched from the window.
He didn't intend to kiss Theodore, mainly because he knew the bite would react leaving both boyfriends in a state of unease. He wouldn't take that risk with the pregnant blonde. All he needed was to make Gabriel think he was willing to kiss Theodore.
He remained still, using his scent to camouflage Theodore's presence. His senses would not abandon any stimulus coming from that loft. Only when he had heard a door open in a burst of noise, and cries calling for Gabriel, had Jake finally narrowed the distance a little more.
Before their mouths could touch, Theodore had been suddenly pulled away. Behind him, Gabriel was hate itself.