Cole's Point Of View
"I'm going to head out now, I'm going to go get as much of your belongings from your place as I can. Bellamy, will you come with me?" I asked.
I had a lot to sort out mentally and Bellamy was the most level headed among us.
"Yeah, I can't imagine Sylvester or Ferdinand being much use..." Bellamy replied.
"Okay... everything should basically be packed already. Call if you have any questions." Tristan said, looking sad and resigned.
"Sure thing." I said, giving him a brief kiss before heading out of the room.
I headed towards the elevator and was stopped by Sylvester, who was sitting at the bar, empty bottles of beer crowding him.
"Where are you off to?" He asked.
"Going to get their belongings from the apartment, and no you can't come. Bellamy is going." I replied.
"Yeah, not like you'd be much help anyway. Jeez how much are you going to drink?" Bellamy asked, coming up behind me.
"Look you didn't see it Okay? If you did, you'd be drinking too. I can't calm down at all. It was gut wrenching, those guys died way too fast. The way they looked at Tristan made me want to gouge their eyes out with a dull rusty spoon. Don't even get me started on that disgusting director. He used Tristan as a meat shield while he... Ngh! Never mind." Sylvester said, chugging another beer.
"Right... Sorry. We'll be back later. Just go sit with Tristan if it gets too bad. He's pretty good at calming you down." I suggested.
"Not this time... seeing the pain on his face only makes me remember his face at that time. I don't want my pheromones to trigger him in any way. I'll feel like shit even more than I already do. Just go... I'll be fine... probably..." He replied, finishing off another beer.
The pain and anger in his eyes was truly frightening. Whatever he and Ferdinand walked in on was clearly damning. Ferdinand had looked absolutely critical when discussing what to do. I couldn't really say much because I was dealing with my own crisis.
"Let's go Cole. Raihne and Payhne are here, it should be fine." Bellamy said looking towards the living room.
It was pretty heartening to see two big Alphas asleep on a makeshift pallet of blankets, with Tristan's little sisters sleeping on their backs. At 17 years old they were young but capable as hell. Not only that but after their parents were killed they became deadly assassins in just a year, ruthless to the core. Only Ferdinand could control them, and they respected him above all else. Truth be told, they were terrifying to me. They were indifferent to any and everything that didn't effect them or Ferdinand directly.
I nodded to Bellamy and we headed towards the elevator. After we descended to the ground floor, we headed for the van parked out front.
"I'll drive." Bellamy said, getting in the driver seat.
I didn't protest, I didn't think I could focus on driving any way. After starting the van and pulling out onto the main road Bellamy broke the silence.
"What's on your mind? You seem on edge..." He asked.
"It's government funded Bel... My father had a hand in Tristan's suffering. What's more, is that the signs had been there all along, but since I hate politics I never listened." I said, clenching my fists.
"What do you mean?" Bellamy asked, confused.
"When I was about 7 or 8, my father came home excited about some revolutionary discovery that would change the tide on the reproduction crisis we were facing..." I said.
"And what? You believe that's when the results were revealed about Tristan?" Bellamy asked, looking unconvinced.
"Yes... the times add up. He would have been around 5 or 6 at the time, but it's not just that. Around when I was 15 right before my coming of age, my father came home smelling especially sweet, like unmistakably so. My mother was absolutely pissed, ranting about him being with an Omega. He tried to explain it away, even more excited than before. Mom got fed up with him and his alleged infidelity, and divorced him. It didn't discourage him in the slightest. He became obsessed with Omegas after that. I chalked it up to him being hooked on some chick he met." I said, leaning on the window eyes brimming with unshed tears.
"So that's why your parents really divorced? He cheated on her with an Omega? I don't get it, how does this relate to Tristan?" Bellamy asked.
"Ugh... look. Just three years ago my father came home telling me I might be getting a brother or sister within the next couple years, through a surrogacy of sorts. Tristan was around 16 or 17 then." I said, feeling the frustration building up.
Even if Bellamy didn't believe me I was sure of it. Too many coincidences made a conspiracy after all. My father was too high up in the parliament to not know anything. He was no doubt promised a top spot to breed the special Omega. He would often take trips to Delgaide, Lore'rahlye, and Maihzdin, each time smelling sickly sweet and relishing in it.
"Cole...?" Bellamy said, glancing my way.
"Just recently he's been coming home in a foul mood. Once, he complained about being shut out of something, and there being too long since his last contact. Even said he might go on a trip soon... to Delgaide..." I replied, tears finally falling.
"Wow, I never liked that man... No offense... but damn that's just..." Bellamy said, trailing off.
*BZZZ...BZZZ...BZZZ...BZZZ*
"Shit... it's my father..." I said, before answering my phone.
"Hey dad, what's up?" I said, with a confidence I certainly didn't feel.
— Where are you son?
"Out with Bellamy... Why?" I replied, putting my phone on speaker.
— Ah... I see. Hmm.. I'm going to be gone for a few days. I got an unsettling phone call today.
"Oh? Where are you going?" I asked.
— A trip to Delgaide. To look into a situation.
"Oh... I see. Sounds serious. Does this have something to do with the agent you were talking about the other day? The one you lost contact with?"
— Yes. It's likely that they've gone missing, or they've been killed. Can't be too sure.
"I understand. Be careful Dad..."
— Would you like to come with me?
"Um... Nah I have plans to go out with the boys today and tomorrow. Don't let me interfere, I'd probably only get in the way you know?"
—Haha! Well I guess boys will be boys. Be careful son, I'll call you when I'm back in town. We can have dinner and catch up.
"Right. Safe travels Dad."
*Click*
"Okay... now I'm convinced. You think he was talking about the Director going missing or Tristan?" Bellamy asked me.
"The director, without a doubt. I suspect the director was feeding my father some bullshit to keep him from finding out that Tristan ran away. No doubt the Director informed someone in the facility that he had tracked down Tristan, but it's been more than three hours since Ferdinand killed that bastard. And now the director can't be reached." I said, listing out the possible time-line.
"I see... maybe you should have gone with him? Be our inside man?" Bellamy said with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you joking? I can't lie to save my life. I'm already trying to figure out a way to not eat a meal with him. Now that I know, I can't hide it from him. My anger will spill over if he brings up the facility or Tristan." I said irritated.
It was easy to hide over the phone, but there was no way to disguise my true feelings to his face. He'd know in an instant if I were lying or hiding something. We pulled up to Tristan's apartment complex and noticed something strange.
"Shit... I could just be paranoid but, aren't those black sedans suspicious. Their license plates don't have a full set of 7 numbers. I count 4 numbers and a letter." Bellamy said.
"Those are definitely government cars... and I don't think it's a coincidence that they are in front of Tristan's building. The question is: Is it a stake out? Or Are they inside already?" I replied.
"Well only one way to find out..." Bellamy said, parking the van and climbing out.
I followed suit getting out and walking behind him. Tristan lived on the 2nd floor so we took the stairs two at a time. That is, until I heard an audible gasp from above me.
"Cole? What are you doing here?" I looked up to see Jezicah and Jehriko bounding down the stairs.
"We are going to get our friend Mayline. She lives on the 4th floor, we are going to a party tonight so we are picking her up." Bellamy lied easily.
"Have you guys been around Omegas? Their scent is clinging all over you." Jehriko said, as he stepped closer to smell Bellamy.
"Yeah, we just came from that party, haha... you know how they can be sometimes..." I said, feeling sick to my stomach.
Jezicah and Jehriko were in an open polygamous relationship and they treated Omegas harshly, so the fact that they were sent here for Tristan and his siblings wasn't lost on me either.
"Oh yeah? Well you two have fun then." Jezicah said, then they continued past us.
"Yeah we will... wait. What are you guys doing here?" I said, looking puzzled.
"Oh, you know, just business. We are looking for some missing government agents Sycamore Lofts was their last known location, but it was a bust. So back to HeadQuarters we go... Tell the old man we said hey for us." Jehriko said, as he continued walking down the stairs.
"Sure thing..." I replied.
Bellamy and I continued up to the 4th floor and waited for the sedans to pull out. We couldn't risk them witnessing us going into Tristan's apartment.
"The government already knows?! This is getting out of hand! Good thing we didn't bring Ferdinand or Sylvester. Things would have gotten ugly real quick." Bellamy said.
"Yeah... to be honest, I really hate those two as well, so it's already a problem that we ran into them. They're bias as hell and don't consider Omegas as people, but rather a means to an end." I replied.
After about 15 minutes, the sedans finally pulled out and left. Bellamy and I waited an extra 10 minutes before heading to Tristan's apartment. The door had already been violently entered from before- when the men from the facility broke in‐ but now the apartment was ransacked as well.
Bellamy and I put the clothes, pictures, games, and toys back into the 5 large suitcases then carried them out. Bellamy carried two by the straps one by the handle while I carried two by their handle. We didn't bother closing the door there was really no point to it now, and bounded out the back stairwell to avoid any possible lingering eyes.
"I'm going to go get the van, stay here." Bellamy said, walking off.
I nervously looked around while waiting. If Jehriko and Jezicah doubted us for a second then they would definitely keep a distanced surveillance team on us. I didn't trust them in the slightest, and I would do anything to protect those kids. We couldn't tell Delcain or Tristan but, Kaleb had been getting sexually assaulted when we walked in. All the while with a gunshot wound to the thigh so he couldn't run and he couldn't fight back. The girls had been forced to watch the horrible scene play out in front of them, too scared to move a single inch.
Bellamy and I saw red in an instant. I couldn't be certain how it all played out, I had blacked out with rage. When I came to, the guys from the institution facility had broken necks and limbs, lying in a mangled bloodless mess. Bellamy was holding Arrisa and Sable sitting on the couch, while I had taken Kaleb to the dining table to get the bullet out and wrap his leg tightly in the gauze and bandages they had handy in the house.
Kaleb had ended up passing out in the process, which was for the best really, I couldn't afford to move slowly and I couldn't handle his pained screams. Seeing the situation however, did cast a harsh light on the reality of their future lives at the facility. It was a sobering and harrowing thought, that place treated them as less than human and it was disgusting.
Bellamy pulled up in the grass with the van and I threw all the suitcases in the back, then climbed back in the passenger's seat. Bellamy had a murderous look in his eyes, his thoughts were clearly as dark as mine. I wasn't sure what our next step would be, but I had to figure out how I could hide Tristan from my father and fast...
★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆★
Tristan's Point Of View
My mind was in tatters, Ferdinand was holding me close to him while laying in the bed. He was sleeping and I was staring at his handsome face. Awake he looked so fierce all the time, but asleep he looked like an innocent school boy. His soft facial features were a real problem, I couldn't help but rub his cheek and kiss his nose.
"If you don't stop that I'm going to give into my baser urges and kiss you to death..." Ferdinand moaned softly, while pulling me closer by my ass. He ground his semi-hard erection against my stomach and groaned.
"Jeez... Just how long have you been awake?" I pouted, poking his cheek.
"Not long... I promise." He said.
Ferdinand had been looking wounded ever since I woke up in Sylvester's arms. I didn't know why, and I was scared to know the answer.
"Tristan, can we talk about a scary subject right now?" Ferdinand asked.
"I really don't want to... I'm trying really hard to not think about the things that happened, the things that were said to me, and the things I have to do in the future. I'd like to go back to being blissfully ignorant about myself and my creation... it's too scary otherwise..." I said, pushing my face into Ferdinand's chest.
"I know what you mean. To be fair, I can't stop myself from wanting to kill that disgusting bastard again and again. Once just wasn't enough... but life is about to get a bit rocky. I want to help you protect your siblings, I want you to smile again, and I want you to be able to live freely without fear. Also, I want you to feel comfortable around me." Ferdinand said, running his fingers through my hair while kissing my head.
"It's not you guys that make me uncomfortable. It's my body... you guys might have a lapse in sanity when you go into rut, but my body is what terrified me. It was uncontrollable, insatiable, and even when I was in absolute pain I still craved more. I don't... I don't like that I can't control it. Doesn't that mean, for my body, anyone is fine? I don't want that."
"Well what if we unlock an unknown secret about your body if we become your mate?" Ferdinand asked, hugging me.
"I don't even know what mating is like, much less what to do..." I replied.
"It will be incredibly hard. Almost impossible, and you might run away once I tell you... but I wasn't lying to you before. I want to be by your side, forever. I don't want anyone else, ever." Ferdinand said.
"I can't see you, but I just know your eyes are glowing..." I said, rolling my eyes with my face still pressed to his chest.
"Haha... but I mean it. I love you Tristan. I will love you even after I die." Ferdinand said, lifting my head to look into my eyes.
"Yep, I was right... they're definitely glowing... and in any case, what is love to you? What makes you so confident you won't say that same shit to some other Omega years from now?" I asked, confused.
"I can't speak for any one else's definition of love. I think it's different for everyone, but for me personally I want to always be near you. I want to share in your happiness and your sadness. I want to be someone you can lean on, and also lean on you when I need it. I want to cherish you and only you forever. To wake up beside you every morning. My chest tightens whenever you leave, and I feel like I won't be able to breathe properly again until your back in my arms. I feel incomplete without you with me." Ferdinand said, eyes a bright radiant gold.
His gaze sent shivers down my spine, it was like they were commanding me to listen, willing me to understand, and enchanting me to believe his words. It was frighteningly calming. It was clear to me now however, that love was something I wouldn't be able to grasp without time and trust.
"I guess it just means I'll have to learn to trust you... that sounds much harder though..." I said, looking away from his eyes.
"I promise to work on proving it everyday. How's that sound?" He said, kissing me.
*Knock... Knock...*
"Yeah, come in." Ferdinand said, propping his head up on his arm.
"How long are you going to lay in bed... it's too quiet in this house..." Sylvester said, leaning against the door frame.
"Where are my sisters?" I asked, looking troubled.
"Ah don't worry... they are both asleep... on Raihne and Payhne's backs..." He said, looking awkward while scratching his cheek.
Ferdinand reacted more than I did, he sat up so fast my eyes spun. The look of confused shock clear and apparent on his face.
"They let the girls sleep on them?! Raihne? Payhne? Are you serious?!" Ferdinand yelled.
"Yeah. And get this, those little psychos were drawing and coloring with Arrisa and Sable before they passed out." Sylvester said, chuckling.
"Haah... I knew it, those little adorable girls are like walking air purifiers. To think those two would take to your sisters so well... I just figured they'd watch and protect them from a reasonable distance..." Ferdinand said.
"Well as long as they're safe I'm fine... is Delcain still with Kaleb?" I asked.
"Yeah they're asleep in Kaleb's room. Seems everyone had a tiring morning." Sylvester said.
"C'mon Syl just get in the bed already. Stop looking like a wounded puppy." Ferdinand said, exasperated.
"I don't look like that..." He pouted, as he slowly trudged over to the bed.
"Haha... you kind of do Sylvester... what's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing... just lonely I guess... didn't want to go home..." He said, on a sigh as he climbed into the bed.
"Syl have you been drinking?" Ferdinand asked.
"Just beer..." He replied.
"Okaaay... but how many?" Ferdinand asked.
"All of them..." He murmured.
"Uhh... I might be new on the liquor scene buuut... isn't that like, extremely unhealthy for you?" I asked.
"Well... maybe for someone who isn't Sylvester... he's got a ridiculously strong tolerance for alcohol..." Ferdinand said on a sigh.
"That seems a bit outrageous..." I said.
"Mmm... don't think so hard about it... just comfort me while I comfort you... you too Ferdi..." Sylvester said, pulling my back against him, while smashing me against Ferdinand.
"The downside to Syl drinking so much, is that he becomes even more clingy than I am. He used to just cling to me and only me, it's why my men can't stand him. He would throw a tantrum and try to shoot anyone who would tell him to leave me alone, or otherwise hinder his quest to cling to me. Now you are included in this, I suppose if you needed proof that he has feelings for you, this would be it." Ferdinand said, moving Sylvester's hair out of his eyes.
'I noticed it last night too but, they really are closer than I thought. Why the hell does that make them seem so much hotter? Ugh, I'm so fucked up...'
"Hm? W-Wait...So does that mean Sylvester has feelings for you too?" I asked, confused.
"Hmm something like that. He never acts on it unless he's drunk... but I have my suspicions." Ferdinand said, with a chuckle.
"Mmm... I like you more though, so don't be jealous Tristan... Ferdinand's pheromones just feel so comfortable when I'm lonely..." Sylvester groaned into my neck.
"Jeez... so my competition is my other boyfriend... seems a bit precarious... and extremely scandalous... have you two ever done anything together?" I asked, extremely curious.
Besides being big kids, they always seemed to just have different tastes for everything, but they seemed different last night. Almost like they would also do explicit things with each other too.
"Hmm... it's probably not as serious as you're thinking. He's kissed me a few times, and that shit from last night. But that's about it..." Ferdinand said, looking mischievous.
"Why? You wanna see me make a move on Ferdi too?" Sylvester asked.
"Hmm? I don't want to make Ferdinand uncomfortable... so no..." I said. I couldn't deny that I was curious to see what they would be like. I couldn't picture it at all. It was like a forbidden bad boy love, it should be illegal.
"Haha no. Ferdinand would do anything his precious Tristan requested of him." Sylvester cooed, running his hand down Ferdinand's chest.
The weirdest part was that their pheromones hadn't flared a single bit this whole time. They were calming and mellow, and oddly complementary to each other.
"Just because I would, doesn't mean I should Syl. What are you going to do if you fall for me instead. I won't have anyone but Tristan, you drunkard." Ferdinand said, his eyes gleaming.
"Hmm... Kiss him Sylvester..." I said, trying to push Ferdinand's buttons.
Ferdinand gave me a seductive look and then kissed Sylvester instead. All I could do was stare with my mouth agape. They were right above my head and my eyes were as wide as saucers, but then Sylvester deepened the kiss and I had to cover my eyes. The sounds they were making however, made me peek through my fingers. The moment I did, I felt my body grow hot, and I couldn't stop looking.
'Oh my Gods... I shouldn't have said anything at all... This should definitely be illegal! I think my heart's going to explode! Someone save me from myself!'
*Knock...Knock...Knock...Knock*
"Hey Tristan, it's Cole and Bellamy. Are you awake?"
The sudden interruption didn't deter the two bad boys even a little. I had to put my hands between their faces and push their faces apart before I could answer Cole.
"Yeah... come in." I said, as the boys licked my palms lasciviously.
The door opened and Bellamy immediately sighed while looking at Sylvester.
"Good Gods Sylvester, you drank all those beers alone?" Bellamy asked.
"Obviously. He's going to start making out with Ferdinand any moment now!" Cole said in huff.
"Yeah... they've already made it that far... my heart can't take much more of this..." I said, still enduring their make-out sessions with my palms.
"Well I've got some news to sober them up, so it's fine." Bellamy said.
"Yeah... hey Hot and Hotter, there were government agents at Tristan's house already. Jezicah and Jehriko to be precise." Cole said, exasperated.
Ferdinand and Sylvester stilled instantly, and then slowly turned towards Cole. Instead of their lips, they each took my hands into their own.
"Also... there's something else..." Cole said, looking sick to his stomach.
"I'm 99.9% sure my father is spear heading the Omega facility projects. I'm also sure you've met him before Tristan..." Cole said, tears in his eyes.
"Show him a picture of your father, then we can be sure." Sylvester said, clearly sobered up.
Cole took out his phone, and scrolled through his pictures and stopped on a picture then said, "This one isn't current but, if you met him when I suspect you did... this is what he would have looked like."
I got off the bed to make my way to him, and he held up his phone as I approached. I stopped dead in my tracks and took a step back. That man... that man haunted my nightmares worse than the director. I couldn't see him in his son, and that made me unbelievably happy. However, his father would not be the kind of man to give up on me. He was the reason I ran, the reason I couldn't wait around and plan my full escape. He was supposed to be the first man to force a child onto me.
My mouth went dry and my head felt like it was being split open. There was a ringing in my ears that drowned out all other sound. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor. My eyes burned and my stomach was churning. I couldn't get enough air and I couldn't stabilize myself. I felt a hand on my shoulder and immediately shook it off, my stomach burned and I instantly threw up. Everything felt awful, life seemed like a cruel twist of fate every waking moment. I wasn't safe around Cole and he wasn't safe with me either.
Looking at the situation objectively I finally snapped. Leaning against the bed, I could do nothing but laugh. Laugh at the reality of my situation. Laugh at the shittiness of my luck. Laugh at the cruelty of my fate. Laugh at the irony of my life.
"I don't think he's going to be ok... should we get Delcain?" Someone murmured.
"Go get him... try not to wake Kaleb... and try not to startle Delcain..." someone replied.
"Tristan, snap out of it. C'mon it'll be okay. Please snap out of it."
I felt a hand on my face, but I registered no warmth. I couldn't register who's voice was calling out to me, over my sobbing laughter. My eyes couldn't focus through the tears, I felt so utterly useless and helpless. The overwhelming despair was crushing me.
"Tristan... Big Brother... What did I tell you about worrying about shit without me? Stop now... it's okay... we'll figure it out like always. So snap out of it will you... Sable and Arrisa need you too..." Delcain's words washed over me like a soft spring rain. I blinked slowly, feeling his forehead against mine. He immediately wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me into his warmth.
"D-Del... His father... he's that man... so incredibly... fucked..." I squeezed out, trying to catch my breath.
"Who's father? Someone tell me what happened to make him spiral this bad!" Delcain yelled.
"Don't yell... at them... it's not... their fault..." I said, hugging him tighter.
"Cole show him..." Bellamy said.
"Do I have to? We don't have anyone to call to calm Delcain down if he trips like Tristan did..." Cole groaned.
"It's fine... show me." Delcain said.
I turned my head into Delcain's shoulder, averting my eyes from Cole's phone. I felt Delcain tense and hug me tighter.
"No fucking way... that's your father? No offense, but if there ever was a man I hated more than the director, it was that man..." Delcain said.
"I'm not understanding, what do you mean? How is that possible?" Sylvester asked.
"Do you remember the tests I mentioned, 3 hours a day, 3 days a week? He would always be there for at least one of those days. Testing the oldest and fairest Omegas. He... is a disgusting bastard. He would be in charge of who got tested when and for how long. He would skirt the borders of acceptable and unacceptable purity... I wished death on him and his bloodline, more times than I can count... I'm sorry..." Delcain said, apologizing to Cole.
"What a cruel irony that he's Cole's father... Luckily you don't look like him, so I don't feel repulsed looking at you... but, I want your father to die... in the most gruesome way possible..." I said, unapologetically.
That man didn't deserve to live, he didn't deserve Cole either. Cole had one of the softest and most kind personalities of the four Alphas. He never over stepped and he never asked for too much. He was just a big kid in need of companionship, since he clearly wasn't getting it at home, since his father visited the facility all the time.
"I'm s-sorry Cole..." Delcain said.
"Don't be... I've got no love for that man. He was just my annoying old man to me. Don't feel bad... it may sound weird to say this but, I'm prepared to end his life to save Tristan's. I just can't justify his actions, and his obsession with Omegas has always bothered me. I won't hesitate, not for a second." Cole said.
"Well he's headed to Delgaide for a few days, and you can bet what he'll find and figure out there too..." Bellamy said.
I stood on shaky legs and sat on the bed again holding my stomach.
"I'm going to be sick..." I said feeling my stomach churn again.
Ferdinand– who was already cleaning up my previous stomach expulsion– stopped immediately, and scooped me up. He then took me to the bathroom and sat me on the toilet.
"If your going to vomit again do it in here, instead. The tile floor, the sink, the shower, or the tub. Anywhere but the carpet, okay love? I won't be using the housecleaning services while you and your siblings are here." He said, with a goofy grin.
I could tell he was trying to make me feel better, but I was feeling like absolute shit. Filthy and unable to get clean. I just couldn't deal with reality right now.
I needed a way to calm down but I didn't know how. I didn't know of anyway to make my mind not think of the horrors I had faced, and the horrors that were now facing me. It really didn't seem fair that all this shit was coming to light all at once. I just wanted to go back to the life I had lived only a week ago. Where the worst things that happened to me were annoying drunken catcalls from patrons.
I just wanted everything to stop... I was done trying. Done fighting. Done caring. I was just done, defeated, and miserable.