Omega - Part Five: Alpha Revealed Read online

  Omega - Part Five

  Alpha Revealed

  By D.J. Heart

  2015 Copyright © by D.J. Heart

  Chad is pacing, muscles rolling under his skin as he moves around the room like a caged animal, getting more and more worked up as the night goes on. By the time they hear Peter come home, both of them going still at the sound of the door, Chad has worked himself into a furious rage.

  Evan isn’t scared of Chad’s rage, none of the anger or aggressive body language directed at him, but it hurts to see Chad so upset. The man’s pride has been trampled on, and the fact that Evan was there only makes it worse. He doesn’t know what he can do to help.

  “Stay here, I’m going to talk to Peter,” Chad growls, stomping out of the room. Evan obeys, at least for a little while, but then his curiosity gets the better of him. He gets up and walks towards the front door, stopping just around the corner.

  It’s quiet, and when takes a quick peek into the front hallway, neither alpha is in sight. Did they leave?

  The door slams, making him jump, and Evan once again peeks nervously around the corner. All he sees is Peter by himself, staring into space and frowning. The alpha catches him looking, eyes narrowing.

  "In my study," he commands, walking straight up to Evan and dropping a hand on his neck, guiding the way. The hand is heavy and warm, Peter’s fingers big and strong as they squeeze down firmly. It feels good, comforting, but he’d be enjoying the touch a lot more if Peter wasn’t so tense.

  Peter pushes him gently into his office, lifting his hand off Evan’s neck and moving to stand in front of his desk.

  Entering Peter's office is like stepping into a different world. Everything is dark wood and leather, the room even more masculine than the alpha’s bedroom. This is Peter's space, and if the decor wasn't reminder enough, the scent of alpha that saturates the air makes it abundantly clear.

  Evan stands in the middle of the office, feet planted firmly on a Persian rug that probably cost more than he did, looking at the intricate patterns beneath his feet rather than up at Peter. He knows that he hasn't done anything wrong - not counting kicking Aiden - and Peter should be on his side - on Chad's side - but he's come to realize that nothing works the way it should when it comes to Aiden. He can't count on Peter's support, and that rattles him. That Chad is upset makes perfect sense.

  "Sit," Peter commands, an imperious finger pointing at one of the comfy chairs sequestered in the corner of the room. Evan obeys, sitting down in the oversized chair, pulling his legs up to his chest and hugging his knees. Peter walks over, towering over him, looking down at him with a stern expression.

  "Tell me what happened," he demands, crossing his arms over his chest. His arms are huge, muscles bulging through his white shirt, and Evan has to force himself to ignore the part of him that wants to lay himself flat at his alpha's feet and beg to be taken. This is not the time to let his instincts get the better of him.

  "You mean with Aiden and Chad?" he asks, just to be sure. He's not about to confess to his little act of rebellion if he doesn't need to. Not yet, anyway.

  "Yes, with Aiden and Chad," Peter says, crouching down so that they’re face to face. The stern lines around his eyes smooth out and Evan feels himself relax. He knows Peter is doing it on purpose, that he hasn't changed what he's thinking or feeling, but it still helps.

  "Uhm... Chad came home and I told him about school, then he went into the living room and said hi to Aiden. They didn't really talk, just said hi to each other, and then Chad carried me to the bedroom-"

  "Why was he carrying you?" Peter frowns, as though Evan had been injured and needed care, making him blush when he thinks about the truth of the matter.

  "Just for fun," he answers, looking down. Peter seems to understand, his eyes going momentarily hot with desire.

  "OK, what happened in the bedroom?" Peter puts his hands on Evan's feet, rubbing his thumbs over his ankles. It feels good, making him shiver in pleasure.

  "Chad and I... we had sex, and Chad knotted me. Chad was on top of me, and then Aiden came into the room."

  "While Chad was still inside you?"

  Evan nods, remembering how stiff Chad's body had gone at the sound of the other alpha's voice.

  "Yes. He said he didn't think Chad had it in him, and then he laughed and took a picture with his phone. Chad yelled at him to get out... he was very upset."

  Peter is silent, mouth drawn in a thin line. He does not look happy. "What happened after that?"

  Evan squirms. Being knotted by Chad when he was that worked up had not been fun. He'd been frothing at the mouth he was so mad. Evan hadn't been afraid or felt that Chad was going to hurt him, but it was horrible to see his alpha so violated.

  "Chad was upset, but he didn't say anything as we waited for his knot to go down. Then when he was done we waited for you to come home," Evan works up his courage to ask the question that's been bothering him. "Didn't Chad tell you what happened?"

  Peter looks down, clenching his jaw. "He did, I just wanted to hear your version of it."

  "Where did Chad go?" Evan asks, feeling bold. Whatever has happened between his two alphas, the fact that it's about Aiden makes him think Peter didn't react the way he was supposed to. The way a good mate would.

  "He just went for a ride on his bike to cool his head. He'll be back soon." Peter stands, brushing his hands on his thighs on the way up. He looks disturbed, turning away from Evan and gazing out the window at the view of the city.

  Evan is unhappy. He had his first day at school, and even though Aiden was kind of a jackass, it was amazing. He wants to tell Peter all about it, to share how happy he is, but now he's stuck being mad at Aiden.

  And he is, mad at Aiden that is. Evan is furious. He wants to do much more than kick the obnoxious alpha on the leg. He wants to neuter him. Anyone who would hurt Chad, for no reason, deserves nothing but awful things to happen to them.

  Evan isn't all that upset on his own behalf. He never felt like he was in any danger. Chad, on the other hand, was confronted with a hostile alpha while he was in his den, in a compromised position. It's the worst thing that can happen to an alpha. To be vulnerable like that.

  "What did you say to him?" Evan asks, needing to make sure that Peter hasn't fucked up. That he hasn't hurt Chad further.

  "Why do you ask?" Peter says, turning back towards Evan with a scowl on his face. Evan closes his mouth, but then he presses on.

  "I just... You're going to take Chad's side this time, right?"

  Peter looks surprised. "What do you mean, this time?" His brows are drawn down in a frown, his chest puffing out in the way of an alpha who is feeling defensive. It's intimidating, but Peter has spent the past weeks making Evan trust him, and he knows that nothing bad will happen to him for speaking his mind. At least he hopes so.

  "It's just from what I've seen, you don't take Chad seriously when he complains about the way Aiden treats him. I just want to make sure that you let Chad know that you're on his side and not Aiden's."

  Peter's mouth opens in surprise, then he looks furious.

  "Chad is my mate, you stupid omega. I am always on his side," Peter snarls, stalking forward, eyes blazing. Evan holds his breath in sudden fear. He hadn't expected Peter to react like this. The alpha reaches for him, grabbing his arm and yanking him out of the chair, pulling him to his feet. The rough handling is more startling than painful, and Evan cries out in surprise.

  Peter stills at the sound, taking a deep breath, the grip on Evan’s arm loosening slightly. He starts walking, dragging Evan along. He isn't rough, but there is nothing gentle about the way he's handling him either.

  Peter marches him to the gues
t bedroom, pushing him through the door and giving him a cold look. "You're sleeping in here, tonight. I don't want to see or hear you until I come for you in the morning. Do you understand?"

  Evan's heart thunders, and when he tries to answer he can't seem to get the words out. He feels like he’s about to cry, everything is just going wrong. Peter doesn't care, slamming the door in his face. A minute later he hears the lock sliding into place, the sound ringing in his ears long after the echo of Peter's footsteps have faded.

  ***

  Peter spends an hour pacing the hallway outside the elevator. He alternates between blinding rage and worry, Evan’s accusation weighing heavy on his mind. The very idea that he and Chad aren’t united - aren’t a team - offends him to his very core. Aiden is his friend, nothing more. There are no sides to take. Evan doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

  The elevator doesn’t move or open, still sitting in the parking garage where Chad got off. Frustrated and upset, Peter heads back into the apartment. He settles down in his office to get some work done while he waits.

  Evan shouldn’t talk about things he doesn’t understand, he thinks, distracted. Peter and Chad are solid. He and Aiden might share a history, might be close like brothers, but Chad is his mate. They both know where they stand.

  Booting up his computer, unsettled, he gets to work.

  **

  Two hours have passed and Chad is still out. Peter stands up and stretches, irritated that he’s being forced to wait. That Chad is making him worry. He sits back down, shoulders tense as he forces himself to concentrate on his work. It’s tedious stuff, but it takes enough of his concentration that time doesn’t pass too slowly.

  **

  Three hours have passed and Peter is starting to get worried. Calls to Chad’s phone go straight to voicemail, and work is no longer a sufficient distraction to keep his mind off his worry. He paces his office, staring at his watch as he weighs the pros and cons of using one of his teams to track down his missing mate. If Chad is OK and just wants to be left alone, he’ll be furious for the heavy handed tactic. But if he’s been hurt, or taken… Peter can’t risk it. He makes the call.

  ***

  Aiden isn’t exactly surprised when Chad comes banging on his door a little after midnight, but he is pleased. If he’d been wrong in his assessment of Peter’s relationship with the yappy young alpha, it would be Peter standing on his doorstep. Not Chad, alone.

  Aiden isn’t stupid, and he knows Peter better than anyone. Peter’s relationship is a fiction he maintains because it’s easy and convenient. An alpha like Chad, someone easily controlled and dominated, could never truly satisfy him. Aiden knows that what Peter needs is a challenge. Someone who can stand up to him - stand next to him. Someone like Aiden. He examines his competition, lips pulling up in a cruel smirk.

  Chad’s chest is heaving with rage, his muscles tense and his nostrils flaring wide. He’s dressed up in a slick black leather jacket and tight jeans, trying just a little too hard to look menacing. He’s young, and no match for Aiden at all.

  “Hey, puppy,” Aiden snarks, looking down his nose at the younger alpha. While Chad is impressively muscled, a perfect physical specimen, Aiden has fifteen years of experience in the field to fall back on. Chad’s brief stint in the army and his work for Peter hasn’t prepared him to take on someone like Aiden. He’s so in over his head it’s almost funny. Aiden relaxes his body, preparing for the fight he knows is coming. The fight he’s going to win.

  “Don’t call me that,” Chad snarls, voice pitched low and menacing as his body tenses up like he’s going to attack. Aiden’s smirk blooms to a full smile, mocking and cruel, ready and willing to put the younger alpha in his place.

  “You prefer bitch?” he asks, tilting his head. Chad loses it. He roars, charging Aiden as he swings his fist in a move that’s all rage and no finesse. Aiden dodges the blow easily, grinning with mirth as he watches Chad’s frustration. Chad tries to hit him a second time, Aiden avoiding the blow just as easily. Enraged, Chad lowers his head and runs at Aiden like he’s a battering ram. Aiden sidesteps the attack with an incredulous laugh, tripping Chad so that he falls to the floor in a heap of limbs, kicking him down before he has a chance to get up and charge again. A knee to Chad’s lower back, arms pinned behind his back, and Chad is completely at Aiden’s mercy. He’d known it was going to be easy, but that it was this easy is almost embarrassing.

  What Peter gets out of dominating someone so useless Aiden doesn’t understand.

  “Get off me, you fucker!” Chad growls, writhing and fighting for all he’s worth. Aiden laughs, grinding his knee into Chad’s back as he waits for the impudent pup to tire himself out.

  “Have you calmed down yet?” he asks when Chad goes still, a whole fifteen minutes later. Chad snarls, but he’s stopped trying to fight. Knows it’s useless.

  “Get off me,” he says, trying to sound dangerous. An omega might be intimidated, but not an alpha like Aiden.

  “No. I like you like this. I think I’m starting to get what Peter sees in you,” Aiden snarks, lowering himself down so that he’s plastered against Chad’s back, still pinning the young alpha’s arms behind his back. Chad freezes, and for the first time Aiden senses real fear. He pushes his hips down, grinding his crotch into Chad’s ass. Chad whimpers then catches himself, making Aiden laugh.

  “Don’t worry, Chad. You’re not my type,” he says, standing. Chad stays on the floor, breathing heavily and - Aiden suspects - crying. It’s pathetic. “Now get the fuck out of here before I call Peter to come get you.”

  The mention of Peter gives Chad an impotent second wind. Chad pushes off the floor with a roar, charging Aiden like an enraged bull. Aiden knows that Chad has been trained, that he must have been semi competent to work for Peter in the first place, but none of that is on display now. Chad is all instinct and rage, and Aiden is starting to get bored. He’s made his point, and Chad’s thick headedness is more tedious than amusing at this point. The boy should know when he’s beat.

  Two quick jabs, one blow to the side of his head and one to the jaw, and Chad goes down like a lead anchor. He lays on the floor, looking dazed, before stumbling to his feet. He looks like he’s about to charge again, and though he dislikes him, Aiden has no intention of actually hurting him. There are limits to what Peter will forgive.

  “Go home, Chad,” he says, letting every ounce of pity and contempt he feels show in his eyes. “You’re out of your league and you know it.”

  Chad looks stricken - humiliated - shoulders heaving as blood drips from his ear and down his neck. Aiden almost feels bad for him.

  Tail between his legs, Chad turns around and hurries away.

  Aiden closes the door, grinning at just how well his plan is going.

  ***

  Chad climbs back on his motorcycle and races away, the utter humiliation of his defeat making him burn with shame. Aiden hadn’t even blinked, batting away his attacks like an adult fending off a toddler.

  He can’t face Peter. Not after that. He drives out of the city, jaw aching and bruised, the wind roaring in his ears as he speeds down the highway. Feeling dizzy, gripping the handlebars tight, he takes the next exit and pulls over at the first motel he passes. Dismounting his bike, stumbling when his feet hit the ground, he walks into the front office with deliberate steps. The ringing in his ears makes him think he might have a concussion.

  The front office is dingy and run down, with peeling paint and a dirty floor that probably hasn’t been mopped in years. The night attendant, an elderly beta with greasy hair and a suspicious squint, gives him a wary look, but takes his money and hands him a key without comment. Chad is just happy he has enough money in his pocket to pay for the shockingly inexpensive room.

  He’s not stupid. Peter will worry when he doesn’t come home, and though he harbors no illusions that he will be able to hide for long, he doesn’t need to make it easy on his mate by using his credit card. He’ll face Peter in th
e morning, when he doesn’t feel like shit.

  Key clenched tight in his hand, Chad starts walking towards his room when a door behind him opens and a voice calls out, “Hey, alpha man! You looking for a good time?”

  Chad turns, lip curling up in distaste at the sight of a rent-boy who can’t be a day older than sixteen. The boy is skinny, and his face is pretty and unmarred by drugs or rough living. Chad pities him.

  “No,” he says, shaking his head.

  “You sure? I know how alphas like it,” the kid says, coming closer. His head is bowed, eyes staring at Chad through his lashes. The body language is spot on, but Chad has never been interested in betas. Especially not skinny under aged ones.

  “I’m sure, kid,” Chad still has a twenty in his pocket, and feeling charitable, he takes it out and hands it to the kid, “I’m mated.”