"How do you even know he's going to be okay? He's been out for two days!"
"Will you calm down Sylvester? If you're feeling guilty you need only to apologize, asshole."
"I couldn't help it Bellamy. Don't act like I did it on purpose!"
"Both of you shut up, he's resting so leave it alone."
"Sorry Ferdinand... it's just... nobody said we'd constantly feel what he's feeling... this sucks."
"Ugh... my head hurts..." I said, feeling groggy.
"Tristan! How are you feeling?! Are you hurt anywhere?" I heard Cole ask from beside me.
"Just my head... I feel hung over..." I said.
As I sat up and saw my wrist, I remembered what happened and glared at the Alphas in the room.
"Hey you jerks, we need to talk!" I said, gripping my head.
"I'm really sorry!" They all said in unison.
"That doesn't make it better!" I warned.
They really went overboard the entire time. Since my body didn't hurt– and I wasn't sore anywhere– I couldn't be as angry as I wanted to be, but that didn't make it alright.
"W-Wait... How long have I been out?" I asked. I had a fresh pair of pajamas on, and I was immaculately clean.
"Two days..." Ferdinand said, coming to sit beside me.
I widened my eyes at his response.
"Seriously?!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah... we were really worried..." Bellamy said.
"Ugh! Assholes... I'm never doing that again!" I yelled.
After my declaration, it was like the air was sucked out of the room. They all looked shocked and hurt, but I wasn't going to be swayed. That was terrifying, and if they didn't go into their own ruts anymore, but where swayed by my own slutty body, was there even a difference?
If anything being swayed by my body was worse. Even now I craved being touched, and it was clear they felt it too. Sylvester and Bellamy hadn't even come closer to the bed, and they both looked to be on edge.
"Don't say that Tristan. None of us expected that to happen..." Ferdinand said.
"Also even now, since you've been awake... we can uh... we can feel it." Cole said, nervously.
I knew what he was referring to, but I wanted confirmation that they actually understood.
"You can feel what?" I asked with a glare.
Cole shrank away, clearly not wanting to answer. I turned my glare to the others, and they all avoided my gaze. That is, everyone but Bellamy.
"Through this connection, we can feel your body's overwhelming need to be touched... even if you, yourself don't want it." He replied, nonchalantly.
"Ugh... so annoying..." I groaned.
It wasn't fair. It was like I had no secrets anymore, my body would rat me out in a heartbeat. I laid back down and pulled the covers over my head. Everything was too much, and sucked so bad. I didn't want to face anything anymore. Worst of all, I really missed my mom and my siblings.
"Get out." I asserted.
"Tristan can we talk abo–"
"I said, GET! OUT!" I yelled, interrupting Sylvester.
If they stayed any longer, they would no doubt feel my body grow hotter as it started to crave what it shouldn't and I didn't want to go through that again.
"Okay... will you call us if you need anything?" Ferdinand asked.
"No." I replied.
They filed out of the room and once the door closed, my tears finally burst forth uncontrollably. I was already scared of my body before, but now it was so much worse. Not to mention the connection we shared was a complete unknown. Did it go both ways? Was there a limit to the distance between us, that it could be felt? How much did they feel? There was no one I could ask for help or advice, they were either dead or back at the institution.
I cried into the pillows for what seemed like hours. I didn't have an appetite, and I didn't want to get up. I wished I could sleep some more, but my body was well rested. By the time I had calmed down, my head was absolutely throbbing. I could barely focus my eyes. As I massaged my forehead with my right palm, I locked eyes with Cole's mark. It was the perfect imprint, and really stuck out on my arm.
I looked at my left wrist and it was much bigger and darker. I rubbed both of them and shuddered. They had become an endogenous zone basically overnight. My body heated up at the memory and I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. I immediately learned that when my body heated up, all five marks throbbed with my heart beat. As if declaring their presence, or summoning their owners. Because just as I was trying to think chaste thoughts, there came a knock at the door.
"I'm not going to come in, but I wanted to make sure you were ok... it uh... feels like... You're calling us..." It was Cole, sounding as timid as an abused puppy.
"Are you by yourself Cole?" I asked.
"Uh... N-No..." He replied hesitantly.
"Come here Cole... Only Cole!" I warned.
The door slowly opened, and I heard him enter then closed the door. I rolled over to watch him climb into the bed, his every move was full of trepidation.
"W-What's wrong?" He asked. He reached out to touch my face, but immediately stopped and clenched his hand. This was the reason why I allowed him to come in. Even after mating with me, he was insanely considerate and kind.
I took his hand and placed it on my head. The pounding ebbed considerably. I leaned into his hand and laid down using his hand like a pillow. He just stared at me with wide eyes.
"My head hurts, Cole... really badly..." I groaned.
"Do you want some pain killers?" He asked. The moment his hand touched my head, I instinctively knew it wasn't pain killers that my body craved.
"No... can you do me a favor? I want to test a theory..." I said, laying my head in his lap.
"Yeah... what is it?" He asked, slowly stroking my hair.
"Can you... release a small amount of pheromones... Don't over do it..." I said with a groan.
He didn't answer verbally, he just softly released his pheromones. The smell of a rainforest immediately making the throbbing in my skull dissipate. My theory had been correct, and I realized I could indeed hate my body even more. I couldn't help but cry all over again.
"What's wrong Tristan?! Did I mess up? Should I leave?" Cole asked, panicking.
"No... it's not you... it's me..." I said in between sobs.
"Tell me what to do? Please don't cry... do you know... we feel all your emotions? I don't want you to be sad... what should I do?" He asked, looking into my eyes while wiping my tears away.
"Ugh... I hate this... my body sucks... it just– Wait what? You can feel... all my emotions too?" I asked, scared beyond reason.
"Yes... so please don't cry anymore... it's uh... painful..." He said, his eyes searching mine.
My tears stopped instantly. They had felt me cry for hours, and now they were having to endure it again. On one hand I was curious to know what that felt like, on the other I was now scared to feel anything at all.
"W-What does it... feel like?" I asked on a shuddering breath.
"Like my heart is being squeezed inside my chest. A feeling akin to a heart attack or stroke." He replied.
"Ngh... I'm sorry... I feel miserable... I miss my mom and my siblings... I have questions... that no one can answer... because they're dead now... I feel helpless..." I said, unable to calm down.
"Just sleep for now, when you're feeling better, we'll go get the kids okay?" Cole said, releasing a bit more of his pheromones as he ran his hand through my hair.
"My body... won't sleep..." I groaned.
"I'll help you..." He said, taking my right arm and kissing his mark.
Then he laid down beside me, holding my wrist as he rubbed his mark with his thumb, he pressed his forehead against mine, and kissed the tip of my nose.
"For better or for worse, I will be here for you, always." He said, while letting his pheromones encase me. I felt my eyes growing heavy and I passed out in no time...
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Cole's Point Of View
Tristan had finally gone to sleep and the pain in my chest had finally stopped. I stayed with him for a bit longer, before slowly getting out of the bed and heading for the door. I knew the guys were waiting and also how jealous they were, another terrible side effect of the bond.
As I walked out the door, they all stood up and looked at me. We had all been out here since Tristan put us out. There were major side effects to this bond that none of us had particularly expected.
Being away from him was painful, bearing his overwhelming sadness was painful, not being able to console him when he needed it was painful, and ignoring his needs was extremely painful.
"What happened?" Ferdinand asked.
"It's as Delcain said... mentally he can't accept the changes his body is going through. And anyone he could possibly ask for advice from, is currently dead. He said... he missed his mother, and siblings." I replied.
Everyone grimaced. It was an unbearable experience to not be able to help or comfort ones mate. Tristan was a special case all around, so it was an even stronger pain.
"What are we going to do now? I never thought he would reject us personally..." Sylvester said.
"That's not it..." I said.
"What do you mean?" Bellamy asked.
"He doesn't have to worry about his pheromones sending us into a rut anymore, but his body can now subconsciously do it. Also... he will basically need our pheromones to survive... I think..." I said, scratching my jaw.
"What makes you say that?" Ferdinand asked.
"He told me his head was hurting really badly... then he said he wanted to test a theory he had, after he declined the pain relievers I offered..." I said, nervously.
"What was his theory?" Bellamy asked.
"I can't be 100% sure but... he asked me to release a small amount of pheromones, and after I did he relaxed completely... and then started crying... I'm guessing his theory was accurate..."
"So instead of the longing feeling and sense of loss that we feel, he'll get something like a splitting headache from being away from us too long?" Sylvester asked.
"I wouldn't put it quite like that but yes... when his body wants something from us he too, will feel a physical pain of some kind... he didn't know that we could feel his emotions however so that's probably going to bother him as well..." I said.
"Cole what are you going to do abo–"
*BZZZ... BZZZ... BZZZ... BZZZ...*
"Fuck..." I murmured, as my phone vibrated, it was my father.
"Hello?" I said.
—Hey, I thought you were coming home today? I need to talk to you.
"Does it have to be today? I just got back in town and I'm tired... I don't really want to drive." I said lying.
—I'll come get you then. It's pretty urgent. Why haven't you answered any of my calls from yesterday?
"I told you I was going to be busy. What's so damn important?" I asked, getting annoyed.
—Don't take that tone with me boy! If I said it's urgent, that's what I meant! I expect you home in 15 minutes, or I'll send someone to you. Do you understand?
"Yeah... whatever..." I said, hanging up.
"Ferdinand I'm going to shower then head out. I don't want my father sending people to all your houses." I said, heading towards my room.
I took a shower scrubbing down as much as I could. I used oils and everything I could, to mask Tristan's scent. Then when I left my room Ferdinand was there. He smelled me then said, "Ngh... I can still smell him... how is that possible?" He then hugged me tight, releasing an incredible amount of pheromones.
"Ferdinand... I can't breathe..." I said, choking on his pheromones.
"While you're there, control your emotions... try to glean information... and if you can, call us covertly and let us listen in." Bellamy said.
"Yeah, I want to be privy to what he knows." Sylvester added.
"Okay... take care of Tristan for me guys." I replied.
If I was being honest I didn't want to go, but my father was the persistent type, and he always got his way. I headed down the stairs and out the back door. Once I got in my car, I started it up, and began my journey back home. I pulled up in less than 10 minutes, and grimaced at the sight of my father standing on the porch. I picked up my phone and dialed Bellamy.
—Yeah?
"I'm here, he's already here waiting on the porch, so I'm calling now. I'm going to put you in my pocket, then get out."
—Okay. Be careful.
"Right." I replied, putting my phone in the pocket of my hoodie.
I climbed out of my car and met eyes with my father. I took a deep breath and approached him.
"Hey... so what's up? What's so important? What happened in Delgaide?" I asked, trying to hide my irritation.
"What kind of greeting is that for your father?" He said.
"I mean you made it seem like something was wrong. Figured you'd want to skip the pleasantries." I said, coming to a stop in front of him.
"Hmph... What have you and the boys been up to? You seem to be hanging out with them quite a bit lately." He inquired.
"Nothing. Partying, redecorating, drinking, and reminiscing. You know, guy stuff." I replied.
"Hmm? You've been partying with Omegas? I would like you to take a mate soon. Preferably an Omega." He said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, leading me into the house.
"Hmm... maybe one day..." I replied, vaguely.
"Hm? This smell... That party that you went to, were there male Omegas there?" He asked, stopping dead in his tracks.
"Not that I know of. Why would I be interested in a male Omega?" I asked, tensing up.
"Haha! Male Omegas are some of the most rare and beautiful creatures in the world. I've met quite a few myself, this scent on you reminds me of one specifically."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, removing his arm from my shoulders.
Delcain had been right again... this sick bastard hadn't forgotten, even after nearly 3 years.
"I heard you ran into Jehriko... tell me son, what were you doing at Sycamore Lofts?"
"Like I said, going to a party. We had to pick up a friend." I said, taking a step back.
"Ah yes... Mayline was it?"
"Why? What does any of this have to do with what you wanted to talk about?" I asked. My hackles were rising, and my flight mentally was kicking in.
"Some criminal Omegas ran from Delgaide, and their last known address was in Sycamore Lofts, a place you had never frequented before. You want me to believe you have no hand in this, then you better convince me. You know I don't believe in coincidences."
"I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't know what you want but, I can't tell you what I don't know." I replied, feigning ignorance.
"Tristan! I'm talking about the Omega who's scent is all over you, and the fact that that bastard Ferdinand tried to cover it up! Did you think I wouldn't notice?" He yelled, grabbing me by my neck and taking a deep whiff of my neck.
"Get off of me! I already told you! I! DON'T! KNOW! WHAT! YOU'RE! TALKING! ABOUT!" I yelled, shaking free from his hold.
"Did you honestly think I was dumb enough to fall for that shit!? Did you think that a scent as intoxicating as his could be easily forgotten? Did your stupid ass assume that I couldn't recall a scent I practically tasted on the air, while I fucked his throat relentlessly for years!?"
At that, I pulled the gun I had tucked in my waist, and pointed it square at his chest. I couldn't take it anymore, the bond I share with Tristan was everything to me. I wouldn't stand here and listen to his disgusting bullshit any longer. The faster he was out of Tristan's life, the better.
"Oh, come now son. Put that stupid shit away. You couldn't shoot me if your life depended on it."
I pulled the trigger, but didn't account for the recoil. The bullet went through his right shoulder instead.
"Oh it appears I stand corrected. If only you had better aim. Now, what were you lying about again? Your eyes are glowing so fiercely. It's as if you've mated with him or something..." He said quizzically.
I cocked the gun again, preparing to aim lower, when all of a sudden I felt a gun barrel against the back of my head.
"Can't let you do that Cole." I immediately ground my teeth, it was Jehriko.
"This doesn't concern you Jehriko. Get out." I said, not putting my gun down.
"You think your father was the only Alpha promised a piece of his sweet ass? Tell the truth Cole, you went to his apartment didn't you?"
"You guys are fucking sick, and delusional." I spat.
"I know you went, because when we went back that same day the only scents in that apartment was yours and that friend of yours, and all their belongings were gone. Too bad you didn't get there before us. You would have been able to retrieve that black and gold key card for the Golden Lion penthouse suit." Jehriko said, mockingly.
"Did you send Jezicah?" My father asked.
"Yeah with two others." Jehriko replied.
"Ahahaha I hope you said your goodbyes. You'll never see that disgusting bitch again. Hahaha idiots!" I said, laughing boisterously. It was a serious situation to be sure, but I could imagine nothing more terrifying than someone trying to hurt those girls with the psycho twins there.
"What can a couple of kids accomplish?" Jehriko said with a sneer.
I didn't even respond. He'd find out soon enough. I hoped the sadness and despair killed him.
"Cole answer me! Did you mate with Tristan?" My father demanded.
Again I didn't respond. My father mumbled a curse. He walked up to me as Jehriko seized my arm, wrenching the gun from my hand. My father grabbed me by the throat and sneered, "You absolute fucking idiot! Do you know what you've done!?"
I felt a sharp stab in my neck as everything began to spin.
"Check in with Jezicah and take them all back to Delgaide. He'll come to understand his foolish mistakes soon enough." Was the last thing I heard my father say before loosing consciousness.
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Sylvester's Point Of View
"Raihne! Tell me what's going on!" I yelled, speeding down the road in Ferdinand's Blacked Out Sedan.
Shit was hitting the fan everywhere, and it felt like we couldn't catch a break. Before Cole's father and Jehriko revealed their plan for the Golden Lion raid, my men called me about 3 unmarked government cars pulling up to the lot and barging their way in.
Ferdinand had called Payhne, who was currently slicing up an agent who had taken a shot at them with the girls in their arms. Raihne had then picked up the phone informing us that Payhne was going on a knifing rampage.
—Uncle Syl?
"Yes my big princess what's happening I'm already on my way. I'll be there in three minutes."
—Some scary lady and men showed up. T-They shot at us... Uncle Raihne gave me the phone... Delcain put us in a hiding spot in the wall... I'm s-scared...
"It's all going to be alright sweetheart. Trust your uncles okay?"
—O-Okay... it's really quiet now... there's no screaming anymore... are uncle Raihne and Payhne going to be okay...?
"They are strong, do you trust your Uncle Syl? I'm pulling up now. It'll all be okay now."
—R-Really? Yes... I trust you...
"Yes really... stay on the phone with me okay Sable?"
—O-Okay
She was terrified, and I couldn't blame her. I was too. I thought I wouldn't make it in time, worried I was going to let Tristan down, again. I called the elevator down, checking my surroundings and mentally trying to calm down as I listened to Sable sob quietly. The elevator chimed and the doors opened, there was an agent inside bleeding but not dead. I stepped inside and let the doors close.
"S-Sir... H-Help me... I'm a g-government... agent... c-call the... police..." He said coughing up blood.
I smirked and pulled out my key card, and he immediately went wide eyed with terror.
"You traumatized my little Princesses. That is an unforgivable sin. I will take great pleasure in ending your life. Be sure not to die too fast got it?" I said, leaning close to his face grinning from ear to ear.
—Uncle Syl... you sound...scary too...
"I'm sorry Princess. Your uncle Syl is just very upset okay? I don't like hearing you cry, and I definitely don't like the people who make you cry... I'm in the elevator now I'm almost there." I told her, as I gagged the agent with his tie.
*Ding*
As the doors opened, I was once again reminded why the twins were called assassin psycho killers. The other two agents were also gagged now, and the twins were slowly carving them up, without making any deep fatal wounds.
I dragged the third agent out of the elevator and tossed him beside his cohorts. The twins stopped and looked up at me puzzled. It'd be kind of cute... if they weren't covered in blood.
"Sable I'm here now. Hang up and don't come out until I come get you, okay?"
—Okay...
*Click*
"Look I know how you feel. Really I do, but we don't have time. Cut em up, clean up, and get ready to go. Ferdinand needs us... they got Cole..." I said, exasperated.
I took out my knife, carved a slash down the third agents face for each child he had traumatized. Then I slit his forearms, Achilles Tendons, and stabbed him in the gut 11 times. Hopefully he would bleed out slowly.
The twins looked at the guy then me, intrigued. Then, they did the exact same thing to their two agents. I went to wash my hands in the bathroom sink, then headed for the kids. I pushed the door and it opened with a soft click. I heard their gasps, and then knelt down anticipating their hugs.
"I'm here Princesses, you can come out now." I called out.
They opened the door and ran straight into my arms. They sobbed harder, as I stroked their backs.
"It's all right now. We're going to your new house now. Uncle Ferdi made a huge playroom for you guys. Big brother Tristan and Uncle Bellamy are there too."
"Is Uncle Ferdi there too?" Arrisa asked.
"Yes. He's waiting for you right now." I replied.
"What about Uncle Cole?" Sable asked.
I didn't know what to tell her, I shared a look with Delcain. He was smart enough to understand.
"So look my beautiful Princesses, I'm going to carry you. I need you to close your eyes and hide your faces okay? Don't look until I tell you to, okay?" I said, scooping them both up in my arms.
"Okay Uncle Syl..." They replied, closing their eyes and putting their faces in my shoulders.
I walked them out and Delcain and Kaleb gasped. Payhne and Raihne met us at the elevator.
"I'll take Arrisa." Payhne said.
"I'll take Sable." Raihne added.
I handed them over as they still covered their faces, and all four immediately relaxed. We got into the elevator and made our way down. I kept my hands on both of my guns as the doors opened.
"Payhne, Raihne... take them to the garage and wait for me there." I said.
"Understood." They replied.
They took off running in the opposite direction of our latest intruders. It wasn't Jehriko but it was a crap ton of suits. I wasn't even sure I had enough bullets for them all.
"Look guys, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your choice."
"You could never hope to take us all on." One of the suits said.
Lucky for me only about four of the 13 men had guns. I licked my lips, gearing up for the fight.
'Because as the old adage goes... "Never bring a knife to a gun fight." Idiots.
Without hesitation I shot two of the four gun wielders straight in the chest, dropping them like flies. The other two opened fire, as I dodged the suits charging at me. I grabbed the nearest man and turned him around, spinning him into the spray of bullets. The next man I shot in the throat, as he lunged at me with his knife. I holstered a gun, as I rolled across the floor picking up a fallen knife.
I sprang back to my feet and shot the nearest assailant in the face, cutting the throat of the suit next to him.
'6 down 7 more to go...'
I heard a bullet whiz past my face, and tumbled to the floor. Stabbing the next suit in the foot, I shot him through the chin. Next moving quickly across the floor, I sliced two Achilles Tendons on two separate suits, shooting them both in the eye as they dropped to the floor. I shot three separate knee caps as they attempted to kick me. As they dropped to the floor, I stabbed one in the chest, then took his knife. I sliced the throats of the other two men on the ground, holding their wounded knees.
'C'mon Sylvester... one more...'
I turned to face my final attacker and felt a sharp burning pain in my left arm. I rounded on the last guy, punching him straight to the ground. I snapped his wrist as I took his guns from his hands. I then proceeded to shoot them all again with the assailant's guns.
I slowly lumbered towards the garage, as I saw the hotel doors swing open again. It was Jehriko. As much as I wanted to get Cole from him, I knew he wouldn't bring him here. It was too much of a liability. I quickly holstered my gun, and sprinted towards the garage. If I made it inside, they couldn't follow me.
"After him! I want him alive damn it!" Jehriko yelled.
That was good news for me, they wouldn't open fire and gun me down from behind. I quickened my pace, no longer concerned about the suits and jumped down the spiraled staircase stairs 5 at a time. When I came to the hall with the garage, Payhne was standing there looking worried.
"I'm fine. Let's go!" I yelled.
I could hear the suits rushing down the stairs, Payhne made sure the door closed behind us before following me.
"Payhne open the door for me, I'm driving." I said, as we reached the sedan.
I climbed into the driver's seat and started the car. I put it in drive and calmly left the garage, pulling onto the main road.
"They've got roadblocks everywhere." Payhne said.
"Yea and since they think we will leave town they are everywhere heading outbound. Idiots." I replied.
"Syl... your–"
"Yeah I know... it will be fine." I said, cutting Payhne off.
My arm was keeping me focused, for some reason my heart was pounding so hard. I could barely get my bearings, my body became hot and my vision was wavering. It felt like I was going into a rut, but that didn't make any sense. Since we were bonded to Tristan, we didn't have to worry about stuff like that. I pulled over at a random curb and looked at Payhne.
"Something is wrong I need you to drive, and step on it." I whispered to Payhne.
We traded seats and he immediately sped off. I had finally understood what was happening. They were doing something to Cole, something akin to inducing his rut. Maybe they had hoped to draw Tristan out with it. Or to catch us all at once, I couldn't be sure. What I understood most however, was that we were in trouble.
We pulled up to Ferdinand's gate in no time at all, thanks to Payhne speeding. I hit the button to open the gates.
"Stop at the guard post." I told Payhne.
Once he stopped I rolled the window down, and the guard on duty frowned.
"Keep your eyes peeled, we are about to be at war." I told him. The man immediately called for backup.
Payhne continued driving up to the estate. Once we were in front of it I turned to look at the girls, they were still covering their eyes.
"Okay girls, you can look now." I told them.
When they finally put their hands down their mouths hung wide open. Payhne got out of the car and opened their door. They ran out and up to the porch, before knocking politely. Bellamy opened the door in record time, looking exactly how I felt. The twins were on the girls heels with Kaleb as they entered the house. Delcain stayed in the car with me.
"They got Cole didn't they?" He asked looking pained.
"Yeah a lot happened, but his father knew everything already. That's why those agents showed up. However, it's worse than that. The bond we share was more than we bargained for." I replied.
"What do you mean, what happened?" He asked.
"This bond is a physical link we share, to both Tristan and each other. Like right now, they are inducing Cole's rut. Whether that's to drag us out or Tristan, I don't know. What I do know, is that the three Alphas in this house are about to expirence hell." I replied, grabbing the handle and getting out of the vehicle.