He Hates Me, He Loves Me Not

Kaiden feels so useless. He can't even keep his babies aliv—

A warm hand on his makes his eyes slowly open.

Fortunately, Olivia appears better than he is. Her eyes, which promise nothing but kindness and warmth, are slightly shaking from where she's looking at him, but there's also confidence beneath them.

Through her pale face, she attempts to reassure him with a smile. Her breathing is steady, silently guiding Kaiden to do the same, and it works even if it's just for a bit.

Although she's no Lucy, her frail hand is enough to settle some of the nerves on his body.

In the back of Kaiden's anxious mind, he thinks that Olivia will make a good doctor someday, not simply due to her skills but also because of her ability to empathize with others. The Beta is young but she took the initiative to extend a helping hand to him who is practically a stranger.

It's that same helping hand that is squeezing him, grounding him to reality.

Like Kaiden, Olivia is motionless, but there's no hiding the way her other hand is clenched into a fist. They stare at each other in silence, waiting for the verdict to come.

Although he's no longer spiraling in his head, Kaiden prepares himself for the worst.

After all, it's not like this is the first time. Whenever he finds something that brings him warmth—a person who loves him or a place to cherish—the universe decides to yank it out from under him, leaving him shivering in the cold.

It's as if he is not allowed to have the good things in life, or he can only have it for a short time before the world deems him undeserving.

He doesn't want to think this way. He really doesn't, but how does he stop himself from feeling this way when every time he wishes to be held, he is abandoned?

He closes his eyes again, for the nth time reflecting if he committed some major sin. What has he done wrong?

Then, time stops.

It's quiet at first, but he hears it. He hears the pitter-patter, loud in his ears.

For a moment, Kaiden doesn't believe it. Maybe it's his brain tricking him. Maybe this isn't real.

The short moment of doubt breaks when the doctor says, "There they are."

Kaiden turns to look at the screen, and time starts moving again.

He releases a sigh of relief that he doesn't know he's been holding. It feels like forever since air last flowed through his lungs.

In reality, however, this forever is less than three minutes. Three minutes is all it took for the doctor to run the handheld device across him before getting a clear picture.

"You're having twins!" Olivia squeals, unable to hide her excitement, lightly pulling on the hand she's still holding. "So this is why you're so big?"

Kaiden looks back at her then, in time to see her eyes widen at the realization of what she just said.

As the beginning of an apology forms on her tongue, Kaiden interrupts her with, "Yeah. That's why I'm so big and fat."

Her eyes widen even more, and then she fidgets in her seat. Only when he sends a teasing smirk her way does she realize that the pregnant Omega is messing with her.

Over her embarrassment in neck-breaking speed, she doesn't hesitate to ask, "Is it identical? Fraternal? Do you know if it'll be boys or girls?"

"As you can see here," the doctor says while pointing at the screen, "there are two separate placentas."

"What does that mean?" Olivia asks. She watches with curious eyes as the screen displays the distinct shapes.

This time, it's Kaiden who says, "They're fraternal."

She squeals again, the elation practically thrumming through her body.

Kaiden can't blame her for the excitement. He's known for a while now but he doesn't feel less thrilled than the first time he was told. Sure, it was a surprise to learn that there's one more after the other one hid for so long, but it's a surprise he welcomes with open arms.

The doctor then proceeds to tell Kaiden about what changes occurred since the last time he visited. She also tells him what to expect now that he's in this stage of his pregnancy, but there's nothing to worry about. Everything is going well and his babies are developing nicely.

Olivia even nods along with her, chipping in now and then about how this was how it went with her sister-in-law's checkups as well.

The double reassurance makes him forget about the earlier tension. He's no longer stressed about the possibility of the worst outcome coming to life.

"Do you wish to know the babies' sex now?" the doctor asks.

Kaiden nods. Some people want to keep theirs a secret until delivery, but he doesn't want that. The more he knows, the better.

With a smile, she says, "Thankfully, they're both in the proper position today."

The doctor continues moving the handheld device over his bump, searching for something that Kaiden doesn't know. He does, however, recognize the arms and legs that appear on the screen.

After the doctor finds what she's looking for, she says, "Congratulations!"

--

Collin sits in silence with Dylan in his arms. His Omega hasn't spoken since Damon called them, and it has been hours since Dylan last spoke. It's been worrying him, driving his inner alpha wild with the need to /protect/.

However, it's not as if he can pressure Dylan to talk. Collin knows there's a lot on his mind, so the best that he can do is cuddle his Omega's back closer to his chest while they sit on the bed.

If given the chance, he prefers to be in Dylan's nest, where his Omega feels most safe and secure, but since he has not yet been given permission to enter, they make do in Collin's penthouse instead.

Still, he knows it won't be long until Dylan trusts him fully. Judging by how Dylan has been reciprocating his touches more and more, he knows he's been doing a good job at showing how reliable and capable he is.

He'll be on /their/ nest, he promises to himself, /soon/.

"I want him in jail," Dylan suddenly says, voice weak and hoarse from disuse.

Collin doesn't need to ask whom he's talking about, so he says, "Don't worry, baby. The Valentinos will get what they deserve."

"I want Heath in jail," he says, stronger this time, like he found the resolve that no one can break.

"I know," Collin says while leaning back, pulling Dylan along with him, "but his parents did a good job in separating him from their black market activities."

"He drugged Damon."

"We can't prove that."

Dylan's scent spikes in anger at his words. "But there's evidence!"

"It's not enough," he says the words that he knows will disappoint Dylan, but he still needs to say the truth. "His parents can get him out."

"He hurt Kaiden," Dylan says, repeating the same words he's been saying since that second call from Damon's secretary.

"Why would he hurt Kaiden?"

"Because that's how he is! He hates me! He hates omegas! He hates Kaiden!"

As Dylan thrashes, Collin lowers his head to the crook of his neck, letting his inner alpha dictate how to best comfort their distressed Omega.

Collin knows there's more to this. For starters, why would that proud Beta start drugging Damon now? Granted, everyone can see that their relationship is doomed to fail, but Heath hasn't been the type to plan anything sinister like this. After all, he's known the Beta for a long time.

His gut tells him it isn't anything simple but since he doesn't want to agitate Dylan further, he doesn't push it.

Although, that doesn't mean he won't do anything about it. What was her name again? Lucy?

Lucy has the answers. She knows why Dylan is being like this, and he can't be in the dark while his Omega suffers.

"I don't care if it's 10 years or 10 weeks," Dylan says while Collin noses his scent gland. "I want Heath in jail."

What can Collin do when it's what his Omega wants? All he can do is obey and hope it's enough for his future mate.

"Okay, baby. I'll lock him up for you," he says while releasing soothing pheromones around him.

There are no thanks between them, no words of gratitude. Dylan merely pushes himself back against Collin, resting his head on the Alpha's shoulder, and surrounds himself more with that scent of fresh rain on a quiet forest.

When Dylan releases his own pheromones—his sweet cinnamon scent full of satisfaction, Collin knows there's no going back. He's found heaven right here, with the person he's been pining for years in his arms, and there's no way he will ever let this go.

If he needs to bring down the Valentinos to properly court Dylan, then so be it. 

No one gets in the way between him and his Omega.