The arm that wrapped around Theodore's shoulder was warm. His chest rose and fell on his back, and his ears picked up the panting breath. Turning his head, the omega was sure Gabriel was feverish. Still, he had left the house upon noticing an alpha trying to steal his omega.
Just as he lay in bed to rest, he heard that annoying noise of something banging against his window. And seeing what the hell was going on, his eyes caught that alpha about to kiss Theodore. He had run out of the house, ignoring his father calling him not to get involved. Only driven by anger at Jake's audacity.
Had Theodore not been in his arms, and his body heavy as lead, Gabriel would have gotten into his first fight right there.
His brown eyes glared furiously at Jake Mckenzie, who kept an overbearing smile on his face. Even as Theodore turned to hug him, Gabriel couldn't help but stare at that bastard with fury. He wished he could kill him for daring to touch Theodore. Cut his hands off so he would never touch anyone else.
― You're hot!
Lowering his eyes to the blond in front of him, Gabriel took a deep breath releasing him from the embrace. Even in the midst of the confusion, Theodore displayed an angelic concern speeding up his poor heart.
― What the hell are they doing? Even more with him?
Theodore looked back, where next to Jake were the other two friends. Only then did Gabriel realise that Nicolas and Miles were present, leaving him even more confused.
― Getting you out of the house. ― Whispered Theodore, holding Gabriel's face to look at him ― Because you're my alpha now. It's my turn to do something for you.
The boy sighed heavily and grinned nervously, stroking Theodore's cheek. How could he give that angel of a person a hard time when he spoke those words? He was completely disarmed.
― Man, you're crazy to do something like that.
Theodore just laughed and hugged Gabriel again, leaning his head against his shoulder. Being able to smell his scent, feel his warmth, and have him in his arms were the most pleasurable sensations in life. Now he could call himself complete, for his other half was within his reach.
― I told you to stay far away from my house. ― Mr. Jones had just crossed the street and approached the two young men. Gabriel raised his head without letting go of his boyfriend's embrace as he turned to his father ― What do you think you are doing in front of other people's houses? I could report them for vandalism.
― And I could report you for violence against a pregnant. ― Pronounced Jake angrily, it was rather frightening to see him frowning like that.
Much to Gabriel's chagrin he had stolen the words from his mouth. It was so inconvenient having that Jake around. Mr Jones had also seemed to find it strange that someone unknown was intervening in the mess.
He had seen Jake arrive with the car, take Theodore away, and now they were back. It was no good someone from the outside knowing what he had done with that pregnant omega. And maybe it was the hint of guilt that made Mr. Jones seem nervous.
― Who do you think you are to meddle in the affairs of another family?
― Oh, no! You mean that imbecile is the one who hurt my friend? ― Nicolas growled, walking past Jake and Gabriel to confront Sir Jones, with the blond alpha right behind him.
It was common for Montreal students to be afraid of Nicolas when he seemed to smile even though he was angry. What was new was knowing that such an effect was also visible in a man of forty. Mr Jones had taken a few steps back, extending his arm towards his wife.
― Woman! Call the police that these delinquents are making a mess in our street. ― shouted the father, not at all pleased to have another omega in front of him.
― Do you want to arrest us? Then let me wring your neck at least so you have a reason to cuff me, you sack of shit.
Milles was quick to grab Nicolas by the arms and stop him from starting a fight right there. Jake also mediated by pushing the two young men away from the older Alpha.
― You two are underage, do you want to give me trouble by any chance? ― He grunted at the short man, who merely snorted in response. Turning to Miles, he cracked a sneaky smile.― Control your boyfriend.
― We're not dating! ― They both replied in unison, with a slight blush on their cheeks.
There, Nicolas was calmer as his anger was now directed at Jake and Miles. Thanks to the shame he felt, he had crossed his arms in a pout without saying anything else.
― What are you waiting for, woman? You can call the police! ― Mr. Jones shouted again, although his wife remained standing on the pavement watching the argument.
The situation seemed to get out of control. Theodore did not want to turn this into a soap opera that would become the talk of the town. All he wanted was to be with Gabriel. That was all.
He had already dealt with Jake's parents, and his own who had also acted violently with the situation. The difference was that now he needed to be more direct and incisive to keep Gabriel on his side. The same way in which he wished they would do the same to him.
― Mr. Jones, I know you're worried about your son. You're afraid he'll get involved with someone who will break your heart or use it. But I'm not that kind of person, I can assure you.
― You bit my son, and you have the nerve to say you're good natured? And all this mess in the street?
― If any repairs are necessary, I'll do what I can to make them. But I won't let Gabriel stay away from me! It wouldn't have come to this if you hadn't treated me so rudely when you at least knew my name.
― Theo, it's no use... ― Gabriel interceded, still panting feverishly.
Stroking his face sweetly, Theodore denied it with his head in a subtle movement. He wouldn't give up so easily when you get to that point.
Determined, Theodore approached Gabriel's parents undeterred by Mr. Jones' alpha presence.
― 'I'm Theodore Moss, I'm a sixteen year old omega who has fallen madly in love with your son. Even though I loved him I never took the initiative to approach Gabriel.
― Tsk, and you ended up getting pregnant how? Of course you got close to him!
― Father, I was the one who approached first ― Gabriel said, stroking the site of the bite ― I was insistent until he accepted me.
― I love your son ― Theodore resumed, before father and son started arguing once again. ― If you give me a chance, I promise to prove to you that I will make your son the happiest person in the world. Please...
Gabriel held Theodore's hand without hiding his silly smile. He would never have imagined the omega talking that way to anyone, though he was being careful in choosing his words. Fighting for him.
Without caring about the presence of his parents, Gabriel just wanted to hug his boyfriend and kiss him right there so happy he was to hear those words. He restrained his desires to just hug him from behind.
― I love you too, Theo.
― I don't like you, boy. And I doubt very much that you'll be able to keep your words. You are too young to think you are capable of taking care of a child and a relationship.
― And here I thought my parents were problematic. ― Milles commented, receiving an elbow from Nicolas.
Mr. Jones had peered his eyes at Milles, seeming to recognise him from somewhere. Theodore had noticed this and quickly cracked a victorious smile which had been quickly hidden. He remembered Gabriel saying about his parents working as managers of a certain hotel in town...
Since his father-in-law didn't like him, then he would show that he wasn't alone. He would apologise to Milles later, but would make use of his surname to have some degree of importance with Mr. Jones and end the matter early.
― 'Don't compare it to the Mckenzies, Milles.
The mention of the surname had made Gabriel's parents widen their eyes in surprise. Surely they would not recognise Milles, since they had never seen him up close. Yet the surname was impossible not to recognise.
― M-Mckenzie?
Bingo!
Miles arched his eyebrow, somewhat confused by the surprising reaction of those two, but soon smiled when he also realized the detail. He even cast a discreet glance at the blond omega, mentally congratulating him for his perspicacity.
He will play along.
― Ah, you work for my parents, don't you? I heard my old man's been in a bad mood and slamming doors these days. That's hilarious. Are you gonna do that too?
― What's that? They work for my aunt and uncle? ― questioned Jake, standing next to Miles with a sour frown. ― They shouldn't know I'm in town.
― You can leave then. ― Gabriel growled, receiving a fake smile from Jake.
― Your gratitude moves me, stinky.
Mr. Jones stared at the two alphas in astonishment. Miles and Jake looked alike, so there was no doubt that they were of the same blood. Piggling to disguise his sudden nervousness, and perhaps maintain the pose of a proud alpha male, he had returned his gaze to Theodore.
Even though Milles had abandoned his family, Theodore had overheard Nicolas commenting on the alpha's parents insisting on his returning to the family and taking over the business. As the Joneses were managers, they were likely to know about that. They wouldn't have the nerve to do anything to their boss's son.
Piggling low, Mr. Jones had looked at Theodore still hugging Gabriel.
― I do not intend to accept you and your son into my family at this time.
― It's all right, I accept. ― At last Mrs Jones announced, smiling gently at Theodore. ― Although it was a real storm the way we met, I have no doubt how much you love my son.
Theodore and Gabriel looked at each other and smiled at each other.
― Woman....
― Why, you're turning into a grumpy old man, dear. ― laughed the woman, patting her husband on the shoulder. ― We have time to think it over, why don't you come in?
― I'm sorry, but I'm taking you both to the hospital ― Jake said, putting his hands on the couple's shoulders and smiling charmingly at the omega woman until she blushed. ― You don't mind if I kidnap your son for the day, right? It's just to calm this little ant down.
Jake stroked Theodore's hair, but received a slap on his hand from Gabriel.
― Why are you touching him?
― Okay, okay, you win too.
To Gabriel's anger, and also embarrassment, he had received a stroking of Jake's hair.
In any case the situation had been brought to an end thanks to the use of the last name Mckenzie. The Jones returned to their home while Jake took the four young men to the hospital for a check up. On the way Theodore could only imagine that the argument wouldn't end there. Gabriel would probably face more fights with his father when he returned home.
But what he wanted he had already won. He had shown them that he wouldn't give up that alpha easily. And now having the bite, the bond between them was even stronger. There were many bonds, in fact, that strengthened that relationship.
Mere prejudice would not be the thing to separate them.
At the hospital, Theodore had been scolded by his doctor since his request to use the winter holidays to not stress himself was not followed. In spite of the scolding, father and son were still healthy. Gabriel had also been checked for fever, and since it was a common effect of the bites all he would need is medicine and rest.
Jake had even bought lunch for the boys, putting an end to the complaints of Miles and his noisy stomach. Despite the platinum alpha's presence, Gabriel had made sure to thank him for helping Theodore in his absence. But the declaration of war had been made and the younger alpha still hated the platinum one.
As the day had come to its end giving way to the starry night sky, Gabriel was at Theodore's house lying on his bed hugging him. They had already heard lectures from Aline and now he needed to soothe his omega and cub with his own scent.
Remaining lying in bed, the two shared the soothing feeling if being safe with the one you love.
― 'I'm sorry I put you through all that stress, Theo. ― Gabriel had said suddenly, having the other open his eyes at him. ― I didn't expect my father to react like that.
― My father reacted that way with me too. ― Reminded the omega, holding Gabriel's hand. ― All they need is time to get used to it. I get upset about it, but I prefer to hope that the day will come when he will understand our side and change his mind.
― Maybe you're right. There's still a long road ahead since I've now been bitten.
Theodore had laughed without comment. It was very strange to know that Gabriel was worried about something. It wasn't something easy to interpret or even tangible. The bite was sensations, like a plus for his intuition.
In a way he was amazed to know how Gabriel felt.
There in the dark of the room enjoying the silence, Gabriel had opened his eyes suddenly when he had felt something very strange move against his rib. He was silent for a moment feeling it again, turning quickly towards Theodore.
― What is it?
The omega opened his eyes letting out a low chuckle.
― The baby. Even though he's very weak, you can already feel him moving.
Rising from the bed to lean his face against Theodore's belly, Gabriel could feel the slightest movement. Once more, twice more, even three times.
― Oh... Someone's happy in there inside the little oven, isn't he? Or was it a complaint about today's mess?
― Poor thing, so tiny and already having stress.
― We have to be more responsible, or he'll be born like Nicolas.
Theodore let out a low laugh stroking his own belly.
― It's going to be alright. He's going to get our love anyway.